Theatre Handbook

2017- 2018

7907 Prairie View Rd.

Temple, TX 76502

Cyril Pajestka

Theatre Teacher

Staci Rougas

Theatre Teacher

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Mr. Pajestka’s Schedule
8:20- 9:09 First Period / 6th Grade Beginner Theatre
9:13- 10:05 Second Period / Advanced Theatre
10:09- 10:58 Third Period / 6th Grade Beginner Theatre
10:58- 11:32Lunch / Lunch
11:36- 11:51Advisory / Advisory
11:55- 12:44 Fifth Period / Conference
12:48- 1:37Sixth Period / Advanced Theatre
1:41- 2:30 Seventh Period / Intermediate Theatre
2:13- 3:02Study Hall / Study Hall
3:06- 3:55 Eighth Period / Intermediate Theatre
Ms. Rougas’ Schedule
8:20- 9:09 First Period / Intermediate Theatre
9:13- 10:05 Second Period / Intermediate Theatre
10:09- 10:58 Third Period / Intermediate Theatre
11:02- 11:51 Fourth Period / Intermediate Theatre
11:55- 12:25Lunch / Lunch
12:29- 12:44 Advisory / Advisory
12:48- 1:37 Sixth Period / Conference
1:41- 2:30 Seventh Period / AdvancedTheatre
2:34 - 3:02 Study Hall / Study Hall
3:06- 3:55 Eighth Period / AdvancedTheatre

NBMS THEATRE PERFORMANCES & IMPORTANT DATES

September18th, 19th, and 20th: After school auditions for Dorothy Meets Alice(UIL One-Act Play)

October 25th: Dinner Theatre- Performance of Dorothy Meets Alice at 7 PM in the NBMS Cafeteria

October 28th: UIL One-Act Play Festival (This is for the UIL One-Act Play Cast.)

Time to be decided. BHS Performing Arts Center

November 15th, 16th, and 17th: In-class auditions for Aladdin Jr. the Musical- combined with Choir, Advanced, and Intermediate Theatre. After-school auditions for those interested in a main role.

February 5th: Field Trip to BHS Performing Arts Center (For students in the musical)

February 6th: Musical Rehearsal at BHS PAC after-school

February 7th: Musical Rehearsal at BHS PAC after-school

February 8th: Musical Rehearsal at BHS PAC after-school

February 9th: Musical Rehearsal at BHS PAC after-school

February 10th: Performance of Aladdin Jr.7:00 PM BHS PAC

February 11th: Performance of Aladdin Jr.3:00 PM BHS PAC

Plays and Extra-Curricular

One-Act Play Festival

Each year in November, NBMS Theatre students participate in the BISD Middle School One-Act Play Festival. The One- Act Play contest is a competition where all 3 BISD middle schools present one 40-minute play adjudicated by a single judge. The festival this year will be held on Saturday, October 28th at the Belton High School Performing Arts Center and is open to the public. After all plays are performed the judge gives an oral critique to each school. At the conclusion of the performances the judge awards individual acting and technical awards. This year, North Belton Middle School will be performing Dorothy Meets Alice

Musical

Each year the NBMS Theatre & Choir combine to produce a musical. Auditions will be held at the end of November during school and after-school for lead roles. Audition materials will be available online and given out in class. Students must be in either theatre or choir to audition (7th and 8th graders only). If selected for a lead role, student must attend all rehearsals at BHS PAC. The musical this year is Aladdin Jr.

Theatre Class Shows

Theatre class shows are not considered “extra-curricular” because the rehearsals/performances are held during the school day. Spring theatre classes performance date has not yet been decided.

Eligibility

According to University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and House Bill 72 (No Pass/ No Play), a student must stay academically eligible in order to participate in an extra-curricular activity.

Eligibility does not affect classroom work and rehearsal conducted during the school day. Extra-curricular activities are directly affected. Academic standing will be taken into account in casting productions, as well as may be cause for dismissal if a member is unable to maintain passing grades.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

The following have been set into place to create a safe and comfortable learning environment. Failure to adhere to the classroom rules and expectations will affect your class grade, and lead to disciplinary action.

1)Be prepared with materials and take care of business before class.

What does this mean? Students need to bring their iPads charged to class each day. They need to bring a writing utensil and any additional materials they are using.

2)Follow directions, all routines, and procedures regardless of who is teaching.

What does this mean? Students need to follow the same procedures when a substitute is present.

3)Stay on task and use your time wisely.

What does this mean? Students are given time to work on assignments in class because a lot of their assignments are collaborations. They need to stay focused on the assignment.

4)Be respectful of others and their property.

What does this mean? We have a beautiful new campus that we do not want destroyed. We need to take care of our fellow classmates items as well. We should not be rude to our fellow students or faculty.

5)Do not talk or disrupt during any presentation or performance.

What does this mean? Use proper audience etiquette. Students should be quietly looking at the person presenting and not playing with anything.

6)No gum, food, candy, or drinks (other than water)- unless permission is granted.

What does this mean? There will be absolutely no gum or food on the stage. Gum and food prohibits the performer from using their voices at the performance level. Food and drink must be approved in the classroom setting. If any trash or food particles are left for the teacher to clean, food will be banned totally.

7) No electronic devices should be out- unless permission is granted.

What does this mean? Students will have iPads this year so they should not need their cell phones out.

As a student and/or participant in the NBMS Theatre Department, you are expected to conduct yourself with maturity and poise. Students should treat every day as “performance day” or as an audition! I hope that these behaviors will be presented daily. However, should a student break a classroom rule, the following procedure will be implemented:

1st Offense – Warning

2nd Offense – Parent Contact

3rd Offense – Parent Contact #2

4th Offense – Office Discipline Referral

Classroom Procedures

Entering the Room: Walk (not run) into the classroom and get out materials needed for the day. Turn in any homework at this time. Go to your assigned seat and sit down.

Tardies: When the tardy bell rings I will close the door. If you are in the hallway then you will be swept. You must have your ID on or you will also be swept.

Turning in Folders/Assignments- Turn in all daily work to the designated box labeled with your class period. Do NOT leave anything under, on, or around your desk. If an assignment is not properly turned in then you might have to re-do it.

Working in groups – Due to the nature of our class, you will be working in groups often. When planning a scene or improvisation, you will be under a strict time limit-so don’t waste your time “bickering” over who gets to play what part. Plan and Prepare and PRACTICE! Be encouraging, helpful and respectful at all times.

When I want everyone’s attention- When everyone is busy working, and I need the entire class’s attention, I will say NBMS and raise my hand. When you see me raise my hand please stop talking, look at me, and raise your hand as well.

Going to the Stage- Many times we will leave the classroom and travel as a group to the cafeteria. Appropriate hallway behavior is expected at all times (orderly fashion, no running, yelling, etc.) If you have been instructed to bring your personal items (books, purses, etc.), place them on the café table- not on stage. Your personal items should NOT be backstage. No food on stage unless for a performance.

Rules of the Stage

These rules apply while we are working in class and at after school rehearsals.

1. No talking while backstage.

2. If you are not onstage, or about to make an entrance, you are to sit in the cafeteria and:

1. Memorize your lines

2. Help a classmate memorize their lines QUIETLY

3. Work on projects or other assignments

4. Observe the action on stage – you will learn from the mistakes and successes of others!

3. No Gum onstage

4. Be ready for your entrance without being called.

5. Never touch ANY curtains, props, scenery, costumes or lights unless instructed.

6. Listen to the director.

7. Always bring your script and a pencil.

Consequences:

1st offense: Warning

2nd offense: Phone call or email home

3rd offense: Probationary status and possible removal from the play.

Supplies

Theatre students will need to have the following supplies:

  1. Writing utensils (a pencil is the only thing that may be used on scripts)
  2. iPad or printed copy of the assignment/ script

Colored pencils, scissors, glue, markers, construction paper, and rulers are located in the supply tower by your class bins.

Grading Policies

Daily Grades- 40% Major Grades- 60%

* Participation* Performances

* Worksheets* Tests

* Homework* Projects

* Rehearsals* Presentations

* Quizzes

Audience Etiquette

Attending a live presentation or performance is an important part of learning about the arts. For many students, this may be their first experience in such a setting and they may not know what is expected of them in terms of audience etiquette. This page provides a set of basic etiquette guidelines designed to help prepare students know how to behave.

Being a great audience member requires respect—respect for the artist/presenter, your teacher, your fellow classmates, other patrons and yourself.

Please avoid activities that will distract from the presentation or performance.

Help those on stage give the presentation or performance that you deserve by not talking, eating or drinking during the presentation.

Please turn off all cell phones. It is rude to send text messages or talk on your cell phone during a performance. This should not happen anyway because we’re in school, but it is an important rule to know.

If you enjoyed yourself, please feel free to applaud at the end of the presentation or performance to show your appreciation, unless otherwise requested by the artists.

Above all, enjoy yourself!

***Please note that disruptive and/or disorderly behavior is prohibited and may be cause for removal from the venue in addition to other disciplinary action.

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NBMS Theatre Handbook Parent Signature Page

{Please print the information, sign and return to Mr. Pajestka or Ms. Rougasby August 25th}

I have read the NBMS Theatre Handbook and have discussed its content with my child, ______.

Parent/Guardian (Please print)______

Parent Signature:Date:

Student Signature:Date:

Parent Phone: ______

Parent E-mail: ______

Parent Phone 2: ______

Parent E-mail 2:______

Comments or Concerns:

Theatre Volunteer

I am interested in volunteering this year! (Please check any that apply) I’ll be in touch! Thanks!

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Building Sets

Sewing/Costumes

____Selling tickets/concessions on performance nights

____ Chaperoning musical rehearsals

Donation Requests

If you would like to donate any of the following items it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if we can borrow these items for our performances we will return anything you want back. You can include donations on your tax returns.

  • Pom poms (puff balls)
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Brown paper bags
  • Scissors
  • Markers/ crayons/ map colors
  • Hot glue sticks
  • Construction paper
  • Tape
  • Fabric for theatre tech projects.
  • Pillow stuffing for theatre tech projects.
  • Coffee Filters
  • Cardboard
  • Foamboard
  • Feathers
  • Tissues
  • Any other items you would like to donate.

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