Introduction

The purpose of this handbook is to provide general information about THEAtascocita High School Theatre Arts Departmentand address questions and concerns that may arise throughout the school year. We are excited about the opportunities awaiting us this year for AHS Theatre, and look forward to continuing our efforts of developing one of the finest theatre programs in Texas. All students taking any AHS theatre course, whether acting or technical, are considered theatre students and the same guidelines apply to all. As a member of this department, you accept the responsibilities that go along with establishing an outstanding program. If you have any questions that are not answered by the handbook, feel free to call or email using the information below. We look forward to a great year. By working together, Atascocita Theatre will continue to grow in integrity and reputation.

AHS Theatre Faculty:

Justin VincentTheatre 2, 3& 4; Theatre Production

Lisa Henderson Costuming; Theatre 1

Seth RamseyTech Theatre; Advanced Tech; Theatre 1

Office1314D 281-641-7745 (Vincent and Henderson)

Office 1315A 281-641-7760 (Ramsey)

The Department

The Atascocita High School Theatre Arts Department offers a variety of classes and opportunities to meet the needs of all students interested in performance. The classes are sequential and apply modern and classical theatre techniques to teach the art of theatre. In addition to the areas of study described, all students cover units involving communication skills, “people skills”, cooperation, leadership, and time management.

Courses Offered in 2015-2016:

THEATRE ARTS 1is a comprehensive theatre arts class that covers both Acting and Technical aspects of theatre. This survey course covers units on expressive use of the body & voice, improvisation, stage movement, basic theatre history, costumes, set, props, basic lighting & sound. Students are required to see at least two of the shows produced by the theatre department for the year.

THEATRE ARTS 2, 3, 4are for students interested in developing their acting skills and focus on character development. These courses give a more detailed view of acting on stage. Units on storytelling, character development, improvisational theatre, radio/TV/film, playwriting, modern comedy, classic comedy, and 19th/20th Century drama will be covered. Students in this course are required to see at least twoshowsproduced by the theatre department during the school year. Students in this advanced course are also encouraged to audition and/or participate in at least one of these shows.

TECHNICAL THEATREis for students interested in developing their technical skills in theatre.The class focuses on the theory and design of all technical aspects of theatre. These courses cover units on scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, make-up, and publicity. Students will be operating power equipment and will be involved in technical construction in this course. Students in this course are required to see at least twoshowsproduced by the theatre department during the school year and are encouraged to participate in at least one of these shows as members of the crew.

ADVANCED TECHNICAL THEATREis for students wishing to further their knowledge of the technical aspects of theatre, while developing and executing that knowledge through practical and experiential means. Students will be operating power equipment and will be involved in technical construction in this course. Students in this course are required to see at least twoshowsproduced by the theatre department during the school year and are highly encouraged to participate in after-school productions as crew-heads or crew members.

COSTUMINGStudents enrolled in this course will learn to design costumes based on time period, setting, and production style. Students will develop skills in the construction of costumes while becoming proficient in the use of hand-sewing, sewing notions, sewing machines, and surgers. Students in this course will be required to see at least two AHS Theatre productions throughout the school year.

THEATRE PRODUCTIONis an elective theatre course and is comprised of both advanced theatre arts students and students from the special needs department. Students involved in this course gain skills in self-confidence, basic performance strategies, communication skills, creativity and imagination. Theatre students in this course develop their leadership skills, communication ability, patience, creativity, and improvisational skill and should have a positive and eager outlook. Theatre students for this class must be approved in advance.

Theatre Classroom/Performing Arts Center Rules

  1. All AHS Eagle Policies will be followed in the classroom
  2. No gum during ANY kind of performance, EVER!
  3. Students should be seated in their designated location with necessary supplies when the tardy bell rings.
  4. Safety is always the main priority. Any behavior that jeopardizes safety will result in disciplinary action.
  5. DO NOT play with props/set pieces/lights/costumes from any current production.
  6. Permission must be given by the teacher to use cellphones. Cellphones are absolutely not permitted during teacher instruction. No cell phones music devices are allowed during rehearsals.
  7. Shoes must be worn at all times on stage and in the backstage areas.
  8. WATER will be allowed in classes and at rehearsals. ONLY.
  9. Respect your directors and fellow students. This includes respecting the property of fellow students AND the directors. The theatre office and theatre library are off-limits to students.
  10. Refer to the Discipline Management Plan in the AHS Student Parent Handbook.

Expectations of students representing the AHS Theatre Department:

Students who are representatives of the AHS Theatre Department, whether as cast, crew, crew head, production manager or participants in the audience are expected to follow these guidelines in addition to those stipulated in the AHS Theatre Contract:

  1. The only “drama” in the department should be that which is presented on stage with a script. Theatre Students are expected to act in a professional manner. This means that personal problems, personality differences, and personal agendas have no place in the classroom or rehearsal process. Students should work together for the good of the department. When deciding a company list the directors will take into consideration students’ behaviors that habitually bring additional “drama” to the department.
  2. In accordance with the AHS/HISD Student handbook and out of respect for fellow company members and the directors, public display of affection will not be allowed in the classroom or production setting. This, of course, does not include staging where PDA is required.
  3. HISD has a zero tolerance policy in regard to drug and alcohol use.
  4. Students will respect each other. As in professional theatre, there is a hierarchy within each production and ALL members of the production should respect those who are both above and below their position. The “chain of command” in the department is as follows: The Directors, the Production Managers (Stage Manager/Director’s Assistant), Crew heads, Cast/Crew members. Upper classmen should help encourage the growth and participation of students in the department and must not discourage it through practices such as hazing and/or bullying.
  5. All students, regardless of position, are expected to help complete the various work necessary for producing a show. Crew members will help cast with line and character work. Cast will help finish constructing the set and working with costumes. Everyone will work. No student is exempt from sweeping the stage, cleaning the shop, or washing out paint brushes!

Grading Policies

Performances/Projects are 60% of the nine-weekgrade and should be taken seriously and be well prepared. Certain criteria must be met in all performances/projects to receive a passing grade. Daily grades account for the other 40% of the nine-week grade and should also be given each student’s best effort in their completion.

Drama Expenses

Whereas there are no class fees for any theatre class at AHS, individual classes may require certain items to be purchased throughout the year. Check with your teacher to determine what those requirements might be. For after-school productions, which are voluntary, the following expenses should be expected: PLEASE NOTE: Financial concerns will NEVER affect a student’s ability to participate in a production.

  1. Various T-Shirts$15- 20.00 each, optional
  2. Production Fees $30 per production if in the Cast or Crew, usually includes a T-Shirt
  3. Costume cleaning$5-35 depending on items, only if a member of the cast in a production

Refund Policy:There will be no refunds in any case where a student has paid for an activity or supply but is no longer able to participate. This policy applies no matter what the reason is for withdrawal and specifically includes, but is not limited to, the situations of ineligibility, illness, unexpected family travel, or withdrawal from the AHS drama department or an AHS theatre production.

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES:

MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS: AHS will present 3-4 major productions in its fall/spring season directed by the theatre directors. These shows will be of a variety of styles and expose students to various genres of theatre. They will also give Atascocita audiences a chance to see the exemplary productions that can be presented by a highly talented and respected theatre department. Mainstage productions givestudents production experience and help with the development of acting/tech skills. They also serve as fund-raisers for the department. These productions are staged in either the Performing Arts Center or the Black Box Theater.

PRODUCTION COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Theatre is a symbiotic environment. Without technicians the actors would have no environment to perform. Without actors the technicians would have no one to display their work. Together the department will work to create the best complete production. Studentcompany member positions are as follows:

*STAGE MANAGER - The stage manager is responsible for supervising the crew heads and crew, as well as assisting the directors in the running of the show. They will receive a list of specific items and projects which need to be done within a certain time frame, delegate crew heads and crew members to do those tasks,and will oversee those projects to their completion. The stage manager will also meet with the Directors’ Assistant (DA)to delegate responsibilities.

*DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT-One or more Directors’ Assistant(s)will be responsible for working with the cast to ensure that the directors’ instructions are followed in regards to performance.The Directors’ Assistant(s) will also work with the Stage Manager to keep attendance and notes for the directors, and provide student leadership to the company.

SET CREW-HEAD- The crew-head in charge of the set will work with the Directors and Stage Manager to design, plan, and construct all of the set pieces required for a production. They will oversee crew members and group projects to ensure they are constructed safely and to the directors’ specifications.

COSTUME/MAKEUPCREW-HEAD- The costume/make-up crew-head (may be separated into different jobs depending on the production) is responsible for the design, construction, and supervision of the costumes for each production. They will work with the crew in the costume shopand during the run of the show.

LIGHTING CREW-HEAD -The lighting crew-head, after meeting with the directors and production crew, is responsible for compiling an equipment inventory, designing a lighting plot and hanging focusing the lighting instruments. The lighting crew-head is also responsible for running the board during rehearsals and performances.

SOUND CREW-HEAD -The sound crew-head is responsible for identifying and locating all sounds in the production, both music and effects, and researching music and sound effects that would be appropriate for the show. The sound crew-head is responsible for running the soundboard during all rehearsals and performances.

PROPSCREW-HEAD- The props crew-head is responsible for identifying, locating, building, buying, renting, caring for and returning all set furniture dressings and props needed for a production. Props include set furniture, set dressing, trim props and set props, hand props, & personal props.

HOUSE/PUBLICITY CREW-HEAD- After meeting with the director, the house manager implements the plans to decorate the foyer, manage the house, and work with the booster club to arrange for box office, usher, and concessions crew for the run of the show. They are responsible for creating the company biography section of the program, if approved. Supervising poster distribution around the school and community, as well as ensuring press releases have been completed, are other important duties.

CAST MEMBERS- These are the actors on stage who develop the characters that tell the story. They are responsible for the preparation work and rehearsal etiquette to create the characters on stage.

CREW MEMBERS- These are the workers whose efforts construct the environment for the play. They are responsible for completing their work assignments in a safe and timely manner, respecting those with authority, and keeping an orderly work space.

***ALL PRODUCTION CAST AND CREW, NO MATTER THEIR POSITION, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING A CLEAN AND SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR ATTENDING THE SCHEDULED STRIKE OF THE SHOW AFTER THE PERFORMANCE RUN IS COMPLETE***

UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLISTIC LEAGUE ONE-ACT PLAY:

Each spring, Atascocita High School Theatre Arts will produce its competition play for the UIL OAP contest. The show will be selected during the school year. Students involved with this production will travel the show, attend a handful of clinics, and compete at theDistrict and possibly Bi-District, Area, Region, and State competitions. AHS has established a goal of being one of the top competitive, entertaining, and talented one-acts in the state. Students who are a part of this production must commit themselves to this very high level of dedicated excellence.As determined by UIL rules, the company will include up to 15 cast members, 5crew members, and a selected number of alternates.

Vocal Exercises

1)bee/bit/bake/bet, bat/bah/ball/bold, boon/boot/bud/bir, bi/boy/bayou/bow

PLOSIVES:

2)Portia happened to slip by Peter.

3)Buddy bounced the ball by the backboard.

4)Terry told Thomas to settle the matter.

5)Did Daisy peddle diamonds in Madrid?

6)Kenneth walked back to the cave.

7)Golden eagles grab big bugs.

FRICATIVES:

8)Frank coughed and offered Flora enough fudge.

9)Velma shoved Stephen into the vat with love.

10)Thelma thought a thief threw both things.

11)They then put the lather on the leather.

12)Sarah asked the cigar-smoking singer to stop.

13)Zelda was busy raising daisies in the zoo.

14)Sherry should be sure she pushed the machine.

15)The Persian lady took pleasure in the corsage.

16)Righteous Charles chucked the hatchet in the peaches.

17)Joyce fed ginger and jelly to George.

18)Harry hated to hurry Helen ahead.

GLIDES/SEMIVOWELS:

19)Wilma wailed quietly as one tear wobbled wildly.

20)When and why did the white whale whirl whimsically?

21)Lena allowed Leslie to fill the barrel.

22)Raymond wrote an opera of rock and roll.

23)Yank York, the young champion, yodeled on a yellow yacht.

NASALS:

24)Many tame lambs came home with them.

25)Queen Anne knighted Newton.

26)Bing sang the drinking song on the banks of the Yang-sing.

Consonant Drills:

Repeat the following consonant drills until you can do them comfortably, rapidly and, if possible, wittily.

27)Tip it, pippet: tip it, pippet; tip it, pippet.

28)Dab a gak, dab a gak, dab a gak, dab a gak.

29)Azure zoo, azure zoo, azure zoo, azure zoo.

30)Think this fink, think this fink, think this fink.

31)The vase is shaded, the vase is shaded, the vase is shaded.

32)No ming no mong; no ming no mong; no ming no mong.

33)Yell when wending, yell when wending; yell when wending.

34)Jump Chuck, jump Chuck, jump Chuck, jump Chuck.

35)Tapoketa poketa poketa poketa poketa.

36)Libid ibid, libid ibid, libid ibid.

37)Rilly billy dilly killy, rilly billy dilly killy.

38)Potato pit, potato pit, potato pit, potato pit.

39)This is it, this is it, this is it, this is it.

40)Calumny; mercantile, exaggerate, elevate, anglophile.

41)Big a pig gig; big a pig gig; big a pig gig.

42)Rubber baby buggy bumpers, rubber baby buggy bumpers.

TONGUE TWISTERS:

43)If the two-o-two to Tooting was too soon to toot, would the two get to Tooting as soon as the hoot?

44)Amidst the mists and the coldest frosts, with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghost.