Acting

Acting 1 Syllabus Fall 2017 / Spring 2018 Course Description: This course provides a foundation in acting skills and theater knowledge for students who will continue with theater coursework in high school and beyond. Students will begin the year with ensemble building to create a positive classroom culture and will learn how actors warm up their bodies, voices, and minds. In the first semester, students will design and perform a one-act play and explore short form improvisation. The second semester covers scene work, voice and diction, and monologues. Most of the assessments in this course are performance based, but periodic journal entries are assigned as well where students will reflect on their progress in acting. Students will also attend professional theater performances and think critically about productions that they have seen. By the end of the year, students should understand and embody the focus, professionalism, and dedication that are required to pursue a career in theater. Course Assessment: Performances / Projects: 50% Class Work and Participation: 30% Homework: 10% Written Assignments: 10% Required Materials:

• Notebook and Folder or Binder with Looseleaf
• Writing Utensil
• Clothes to move in

Drama Showcase Performances and other GAHS Theater Performances: Fall Play: 12/6 at 4 pm, 12/7 at 6 pm, 12/13 at 4pm, 12/14 at 4pm Drama Showcase 1: 12/21 at 6 pm Spring Musical: 4/10 at 4pm, 4/11 at 6pm, 4/12 at 6pm Senior Drama Showcase: 5/23 at 6 pm Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the fall play and spring musical, either as an actor or behind the scenes. Students who do not participate in the shows will be required to attend one performance of each. There are also two drama showcase performances that will highlight the amazing work that is done in our theater classes. All students are required to attend both drama showcases and will be encouraged to perform in at least one of the showcases. Most likely this class will perform our one-act play at the December showcase. Students are highly encouraged to attend the senior drama showcase as well.  Course Outline and Major Assignments: Unit 1: Ensemble Building

• Lead Physical, Vocal, and Focus Warm-Ups
• Journal Entries

Unit 2: Play Production

• Production Roles Quiz
• One Act Play Performance
• Journal Entries

Unit 3: Short Form Improvisation

• Improv Olympics
• Journal Entries

Unit 4: Scene Study

• Written Work for Scene (given circumstances, character analysis, annotated script)
• Scene Performance
• Journal Entries

Unit 5: Voice and Diction

• Poem Recitation
• Journal Entries

Unit 6: Contemporary Monologues

• Written Work for Monologue (given circumstances, character analysis)
• Monologue Performance
• Journal Entries

STANDARDS: BLUEPRINT FOR THEATRE Benchmarks Strand 4 (Developing Theatre Literacy). Understanding Dramatic Texts: Students apply an understanding of dramatic text and theater history in their critical responses as they enhance their skills to critique live performance. Students use vocabulary that is authentic and integral to theater. Strand 5 (Making Connections through theatre). Connecting Theater to Personal Experience, Community, and Society Through an Exploration of Themes, Culture, and History: Students demonstrate a capacity for deep personal connection to theater and a realization of the meaning and messages in theater. Strand 8 (Acting). Imagination, Analysis, and Process Skills: Students increase their ability as imaginative and analytical actors while continuing to participate as collaborative ensemble members. Students demonstrate the ability to reflect on and think critically about their work. CDOS LEARNING STANDARDS Standard 1: Career Development. Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions. Standard 2: Integrated Learning. Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings. Standard 3a: Universal Foundation Skills. Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace. Standard 3b: Career Majors. Students who choose a career major will acquire the career-specific technical knowledge/skills necessary to progress toward gainful employment, career advancement, and success in post-secondary programs. Grading Policies:

• Attendance and Participation: In this class, you are expected to fully embody what it means to be a theater professional. This means that your participation with a good attitude and an open mind are expected every day. You are to remain focused and fully present throughout each class period, making an effort to make the best possible impression, just as you would in an audition setting. Your class work and participation are worth 30% of your grade. You will lose points if you are late, if you have food/gum/beverages, if you have your cell phone out, or if you are not fully participating. If you are absent more than five times without a note (i.e. unexcused absence) you will not receive credit for the term. Your absences will be reflected in your grade.
• Missed Performances and Presentations: If you miss a performance or presentation with an excused absence and a note from a parent or guardian, you must make it up within a week of the time you are absent. If an emergency arises, other arrangements may be made. Missed work due to unexcused absences will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
• Late Policy for Homework and Written Assignments: Homework and written assignments must be turned in by the end of the day on their due date. After the due date, they will receive a 10% deduction for each day that they are late.
• Academic Honesty: All of your written work needs to be your own. When you use information from other sources, those sources must be cited.

Classroom Expectations:

• Respect the classroom, classmates, and teacher: In order to grow as actors and theater artists, we all have to feel comfortable taking risks and we can only feel comfortable in a safe environment where no one will be disrespected for their efforts. Inappropriate language and offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Remember that this is a theater space. We need to keep this room clean and in good condition so that it can be used for rehearsals and performances throughout the year. Take good care of all of the technology, props, books, and other materials in the room. There are no food, beverages, or gum allowed. All trash must be placed in the trash can.
• GAHS Rules: No hats or hoods; no food, beverages, or gum; no cell phones. If you are caught eating, drinking, chewing gum, or using your cell phone, your grade will be negatively affected.
• Open Door Policy: Students and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to speak to the teacher about any questions or concerns that may come up throughout the year. All students should feel comfortable in this class and should be able to have a positive experience and their teacher is eager to help in any way possible.

 Consequences: If a violation of the class expectations occurs, we will take the following steps in an effort to correct that behavior:

1. Warning 2. Individual Student-Teacher Conference 3. Detention/Parent Phone Call 4. Revoke Performance Rights 5. Revoke Field Trips, Guest Artist Visits, etc. 6. Removal from Major

Depending on the severity of the violation, certain steps may be skipped (for example, if you put a classmate’s physical or emotional safety at risk, you will receive a detention/parent phone call without having had a warning).