Theater

12 th Grade Theater Practicum Syllabus Fall 2018 / Spring 2019   Course Description:   This course is designed to prepare senior theater majors for success in college and professional theater. Students will begin the year by considering what theater can do that no other discipline can and will write a personal statement about their goals in theater and the meaning of theater in their lives. Students will participate in all coursework regardless of their future plans in theater, but they will be encouraged to tailor their work this year toward their individual goals as much as possible. During the fall, students will research college theater programs and prepare to meet all audition requirements, including classical and contemporary monologues, theatrical resume, and headshots. Their classical theater training will continue with a scene study unit focusing on some of Shakespeare’s greatest two person scenes.  In the spring, students will complete an exit project in either playwriting, directing, acting, or design. The exit projects will represent the culmination of the students’ theatrical work at GAHS and will be performed in the evening for the school community.   Course Assessment:   Performances / Projects: 50% Class Work and Participation: 30% Homework: 10% Written Assignments: 10%   Final Exam: Theater Comprehensive Exam This exam is for all 12th grade students in New York City who have completed 9 or more credits in theater.  The exam consists of three parts: an acting portion during the January Regents week, the exit projects to be completed during the spring semester, and a written portion during the June Regents week.  Students who pass the exam will receive an arts endorsement on their diploma.   Required Materials:  

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

  GAHS Theater Performances:   Fall Play: 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, 12/14 Winter Concert: 12/21 Spring Musical: 4/10, 4/11, 4/12 Spring Concert: 5/3 Senior Drama Showcase: 5/23   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. The Winter Concert and Spring Concert performances are designed to highlight the amazing work that is done in all of our theater classes. All students are encouraged to attend and/or perform in the concerts. All students are required to attend the Senior Drama Showcase, which will be the performance of the exit projects.   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.   Course Outline and Major Assignments:   Unit 1: Activist Theater

• Personal Statement
• Theater for Social Change Presentation
• Forum Theater Performance

  Unit 2: Audition Master Class

• Theatrical Resume
• Audition (performance of two contrasting monologues)

  Unit 3: Classical Scene Study

• Written work for scene (paraphrase, given circumstances, character analysis)
• Scene performance

  Unit 4: Exit Projects

• Goal Statement
• Performance in Drama Showcase
• Reflection

  Unit 5: Theater History Review

• Theater History Quiz
• Presentation on 20th Century American Play

  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).