Musical Theatre Production Class 2009-2010
Course Description
This is a musical theatre class team taught by Kevin Hill, Lee Pope and Jake Dreiling in which you will be learning about theatre, vocal performance, and choreography. In addition, you will be producing a full-length professional musical. Since this class is audition only, you probably already knew that! However, there are some things you might not know about the class even if you’ve taken it before. Things have changed.
You will be graded on your performance in every part of the rehearsal process, so absences from class and from after school rehearsals will affect your grade. Excused absences will not affect your grade, but being frequently absent will affect your performance, so in a way they do affect your grade. This class requires attendance in school as well as after school. We will make every effort to not have rehearsal after school unless it is absolutely necessary.
Simply showing up for class or rehearsal is not adequate. You have been hand selected because you are the most talented, hard-working students in the school. Therefore, anything less than your best effort will also affect your grade. You will not get an automatic 100 in the class just because you are here every day and have talent.
You are required to do the following this year:
· Perform assigned role(s) in the after-school musical in the spring.
· Perform and prepare at least one song as a soloist, duet or group.
· Attend all choral concerts, festivals and rehearsals associated with the class.
Grade Breakdown:
Since this class is taught by three different teachers first semester, grades will be determined by each teacher individually in their rotations. A final performance will be graded by all three instructors, and will act as the audition for the show in the spring.
Dreiling 30%
Pope 30%
Hill 30%
Final Audition 10%
With all of the above, some amount of paperwork will be required, so please be prepared with a notebook or binder.
After-school rehearsals
This is the spring musical, so as you all knew when you auditioned you must be available to come to rehearsals after school. If you know you will not be able to make this commitment, please let us know now so that we can put you in a theatre or chorus class with less commitment, otherwise it will affect your grade.
We look forward to a great year and a wonderful production with you all!
Kevin Hill
Lee Pope
Jake Dreiling
SIGNATURE PAGE
STUDENT STUDENT NUMBER
______
I have read the syllabus and understand everything that is required for me to participate in this class. I know how I will be graded for this class.
Signature of Student Date
______
I have read the syllabus and understand everything that is required for my child to participate in this class. I understand that there will be an after-school commitment and that if my child does not honor that commitment it may affect their grade in the class. I have attended a parent meeting for this class and understand what is needed for a musical to be successful
Signature of Parent Date
______
Technical Theatre Production Class 2006-2007
Course Description
This is a Tech Theartre class that is combined with the musical theatre class team taught by Kathy Carroll and Jake Dreiling. In addition, you will be producing a full-length professional musical. There are some things you might not know about the class even if you’ve taken it before. Things have changed.
You will be graded on your performance in every part of the rehearsal process, so absences from class and from after school rehearsals will affect your grade. Excused absences will not affect your grade, but being frequently absent will affect the quality of your work, so in a way absences do affect your grade. This class requires attendance in school as well as after school. We will make every effort to not have rehearsal after school unless it is absolutely necessary.
Simply showing up for class or rehearsal is not adequate. Anything less than your best effort will also affect your grade. You will not get an automatic 100 in the class just because you are here every day.
You are required to do the following:
· Execute assigned duties in the after-school musical Dreamgirls
· Complete a full design in either set, lights, or costume.
· Attend all rehearsals associated with the class and work tech for chorus concerts.
· Maintain order and cleanliness in the theater and scene shop.
Breakdown of grade:
Dreamgirls
Rehearsals 20%
Major rehearsals 10%
Performances (April) 30%
Choral Activities 10%
Design 20%
Scene Shop/Theater maintenance 10%
Duties and responsibilities
This class is broken down into different phases:
Phase I: Design and pre-work (August-November)
Phase II: Construction (November-March)
Phase III: Performance (March-April)
Phase IV: Post-show maintenance (April-May)
Your duties for each phase will change according to the jobs you designate for yourself.
The breakdown for jobs is as follows:
Phase I:
Stage Manager A, B, C
Dramaturg (2)
Set Design (2)
Costume Design (2)
Make-up/Props/Accessories Design (2)
Phase II:
Stage Manager A, B, C
Set Construction/Painting (5)
Costume Build (2)
Light Design (1)
Phase III:
Stage Manager A, B, C
Grips (Light hang)/ Run Crew (2)
Lights operator (1)
Spotlight Operator (1)
Run crew (4)
Phase IV:
Storage (Booth, Pit, Backstage, Catwalk) (2)
Storage (Drama Room, Chorus Room, Coke Closet) (3)
Scene Shop (3)
Light Maintenance (1)
Costumes (2)
Job Descriptions
See the handout on tech jobs for a description of each job. The Stage Manager duty will be broken down as follows:
Stage manager A (paperwork)
Duties: Promptbook, Dramaturg, webgroup, rehearsal postings, rehearsal warm-ups, last to leave for all after-school rehearsals.
Stage manager B (manual labor)
Duties: Student Tech Director, scene shop organizer, committed to working all tech days over spring break, House manager.
Stage manager C (organized leader)
Duties: Backstage crew chief, booth and theatre organizer, stage manager at all chorus concerts, festivals etc.
After-school rehearsals
This is the spring musical, so as you all knew when you auditioned you must be available to come to rehearsals after school. Currently, the dates we will be rehearsing are:
February 13th 4-9pm
March 5-28th, Selected times. (These dates will be given at the beginning of the second semester and only will be used if needed).
April 9th-18th 4-10pm (See sample schedule for details).
If you know you will not be able to make this commitment, please let us know now so that we can put you in a theatre or chorus class with less commitment, otherwise it will affect your grade.
We look forward to a great year and a wonderful production will you all!
Kathy Carroll
Jake Dreiling
PARENT MEETING HANDOUT
Welcome!
Jake Dreiling, Director
Kathy Carroll, Musical Director
Phone: (770) 483-8754
Thanks so much for taking the time out to come to this meeting. We are very excited about producing Dreamgirls this year! We’ve compiled a sample schedule and a short list of important things to understand when your child is involved in a musical:
1. It takes a lot of time to put a musical together. We only rehearse as much as is needed, no more. If it could be done in three days, we would (and we do in some instances!)
2. Sports and plays operate on different schedules. If you are used to sports, but are new to plays, understand that at the beginning of the rehearsal process the commitment is low, but a month or so before the show opens the commitment is very high. Please look at the sample schedule and see what kind of commitment is expected.
3. We do not charge money to be in the play. At other high schools, they do ask for a production fee. We ask the students to sell ads to local businesses to advertise in the program. You have the option of purchasing an ad in the program yourself if you like.
4. Rehearsals start and end at the times given on the schedule. However, it is nearly impossible to predict when it may run shorter or longer than the rehearsal time. If it looks like we will run late, your child will attempt to contact you and let you know. Remember that rehearsal may be over, but your child may still be “hanging out”, and it is easy to just blame the director for running late.
5. We need your help in many areas, but we don’t need it in every area. Please understand that there are some artistic and dramatic choices that we make that you might not agree with. Feel free to share suggestions with us, but do not expect us to implement any of them. We will take them into consideration, but too many cooks spoil the broth!
6. We do need help in set construction, set painting, costuming, finding building materials, promoting, cooking dinners the week before we open, ushering, taking tickets, locating hard-to-find props and furniture, and if you have the means, donating.
7. We operate as though we are a professional theatre company, so we ask the students and parents to keep it at that level. During a performance, it is not allowed to photograph or videotape. There is one parent night called “Parent preview” where we allow photographs and recording. Here are some other theatre etiquette guidelines:
a. During a performance, “shouting out” or clapping furiously when your child comes on stage is only allowed at the end of the play during the curtain call.
b. Bringing babies or toddlers who make excessive noise during a play is not a good idea.
c. Going backstage during intermission or at the end of the play should only be in an emergency. The actors will come to the lobby after they get out of costume.
d. Making negative comments openly about another child in the play is rude and disrespectful.
I know with your help that we will produce great theatre. We are looking forward to working with all of you this year!
Jake Dreiling
Kathy Carroll