Welcome to Theater! 

I'm excited to share my passion for the art of theater with you. Before we get started though, we need to take care of some housekeeping and expectations. Below you will find a broad description of the course -- what you can expect to learn and what my expectations of you are. 

Course Descriptions

Advanced Theater continues your development as a theater artist through the application of principles learned in the first 2 years. Students will complete a capstone project during the first semester in which they design and direct a scene or short play. During the 2^nd semester Advanced Theater students will participate in a leadership capacity in the full length class production.   

Course Goals:

1. Investigate career opportunities and career paths within the field of theatrical performance. 

2. Demonstrate a positive work ethic, professional courtesy, and collaboration skills required in professional theater. 

3. Apply analytical and academic skills specific to the the field of theater. 

4. Develop characters and perform in solo (audition monologues) and collaborative (play performance) settings.

5. Understand and appreciate the historical and contemporary development of theater as an art form and its broader role in society.
6. Apply research and design strategies to various technical theatrical elements (make-up, costumes, sets, props, and lighting). 

7. Understand the role of marketing in professional theater as it applies to the individual and production.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will interpret scripts; learn and memorize lines, blocking, and cues; identifying objectives, beats and subtext within the text.
2. Students will collaborate with other actors, directors, designers and crew as part of an ensemble.
3. Students will select plays or scripts for performance, and determine how material should be interpreted and performed.
4. Students will research, design, and apply make-up.
5. Students will research and recognize design elements in theatrical costumes, sets and lighting.
6. Students identify possible jobs, salaries, and training opportunities in the performing arts field.
7. Students create a professional résumé.
8. Students learn and perform audition monologues appropriate for different types of audition situations.

Classroom Rules:

1. Respect: Students will practice respectful behavior toward the instructor and other students at all times. Rude, bullying or other disrespectful speech and/or actions will not be tolerated and will be cause for immediate dismissal from class.
2. Media and Communications: Unless specifically required for classwork, all phones and other technical devices will be turned off and left in a backpack or cubby during class. One warning will be given, after which the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the class period. The same shall apply if inappropriate (non-classwork) use is detected during an otherwise permitted use of the device.
3. Food: Other than water, which will be allowed, there will be no eating or drinking in class. We will take a 10-minute snack break approximately half way through the class.

 Textbooks and Readings:  

Script and additional readings will be provided by the instructor

Required Materials:

All students should come prepared to class with a spiral bound notebook or journal and writing utensils. In addition, as Theater is a physical art form, students should dress in a manner that is appropriate for ease of movement and comfort. Gorman Learning Center dress code policy must be adhered to.

Course Requirements:

1. Class Participation: Theater is a participatory art form. Regular class attendance is mandatory. Participation includes paying attention in class and fully participating in discussions, group projects, exercises, and rehearsals.
2. Homework and Readings: Textbook and script readings will be assigned regularly during the first semester, and with less frequency during the major production rehearsal and performance. In addition, short research, and design projects will be assigned throughout the year.
3. Projects and Research: One or 2 research, practical or writing projects will be assigned each semester. Assignments are expected to be submitted on-time unless a student has made prior arrangements due to extenuating circumstances. Some projects will require group participation and students may be required to submit self and peer evaluations as part of the assessment.
4. Outside Theatrical Performances: High School Students will be required, and Middle School Students will be encouraged, to attend at least one outside performance each semester. I will attempt to coordinate free group field trips for this, but in the event that students cannot attend the performances that I arrange, they must find alternate experiences. 
5. Rehearsals: The rehearsal schedule will be determined after casting is complete. Rehearsals will take place for the MOST part during the Monday 2:30 – 5:30 Theater Lab time. In addition, there will be at LEAST one weekend rehearsal prior to both performances and additional potential rehearsals scheduled as needed. These added week day rehearsals will be scheduled between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, so as not to interfere with SCRC classes and I will do my best to accommodate student and family schedules.

Course Policies:

1. Attendance: Students will be allowed 3 excused absences (absences as a result of illness or other family emergency). If more absences are required, the instructor will work on a case by case basis with the student to determine if alternative assignments can be arranged. Three unexcused absences will result in permanent dismissal from the class.
2. Clothing: Students who attend class in clothing that is overly restrictive, or otherwise impedes movement (such as skirts that are too short or pants worn too low to allow freedom of movement) will be asked to change or required to sit out for the class. Participation credits for the class session will be docked. Repeated offences will result in an unexcused absence.
3. Rehearsals: Because theater is a collaborative art form, attendance and proper behavior at rehearsals will be a significant portion of the student’s overall grade. Once the schedule is determined, students with unavoidable schedule conflicts should notify the instructor immediately, or if possible during the casting process.
4. Tardiness: On-time attendance is crucial to the efficient running of rehearsals and class sessions. Tardiness demonstrates a lack of respect for the instructor and your peers. Consequently, tardy arrival will result in docking a student’s participation grade for the day. Three tardy arrivals in a month will result in an unexcused absence.

Types of Assessment:

Advanced Theater learning period and semester grades will be given based on student’s level of work in each of the following categories: class participation & professional standards of behavior; effort, completion and mastery demonstrated by performance on assignments, including research & design projects. Grades will be given based on the percentage of points each student has earned.

Grading:

Activity	% of Grade	Expectation
Class Participation/ Professional Performance Standards	50%	Attends and participate in all class sessions, activities and rehearsals. Student collaborates respectfully with peers, arrives to class and rehearsals on time and ready to work (lines memorized, properly attired etc).
Projects & Assignments - Effort & Completion	40%	Graded based on accuracy of responses. Late work will be marked down unless previous arrangements are made.
Projects & Assignments - Mastery	10%	Graded based on thoroughness, evidence of effort, grade level writing standards, timely completion.

 

Grading Scale:

 

A+	97%-100%	A	93%-96%	A-	90%-92%
B+	87%-89%	B	83%-86%	B-	80%-82%
C+	77%-79%	C	73%-76%	C-	70%-72%
D+	67%-69%	D	63%-66%	D-	60%-62%
F	<60%

 Safety:

Theater is emotionally and physically collaborative, and relies on the existence of trust. Consequently, the emotional and physical safety of collaborators must be paramount during class, rehearsal, and performance. Proper boundaries and behavior will be discussed and determined as a class and must be rigorously adhered to by all participants. 

 

Course Schedule – Advanced Theater*:

Semester 1
Unit 1 – Design, Planning and Casting		Assignments
Week 1 - 8	Directing technique, casting, rehearsal planning	TBD
Unit 2 – Rehearsals & Performance		Assignments
Week 9 - 18	Rehearsals	· TBD

 

Semester 2
Unit 3 - Play Production		Assignments
Week 1- 18	Character Development, Design projects, Performance.	TBD ·

 

*Schedule subject to change.

 

Student-Parent Contract

 

Gorman Learning Center High School

Introduction to Theater

Stephanie O’Connor

 

 

 

Student

 

I have received a copy of the course syllabus. I agree to abide by all of the standards, course requirements, class policies and class rules. I promise to be respectful of my instructor and peers, to complete all course work on time, and to attend all classes and rehearsals as required.

 

 

_________________________________                  __________________________________

Student: Print Name                                                    Student: Signature

 

 

 

Parent

 

I have read and discussed this syllabus with my student. My student and I are aware of the expectations of this course. I give my student permission to participate in all activities and discussions related to this course.

 

 

_________________________________                  __________________________________

Parent: Print Name                                                      Parent: Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent Volunteer Sign-up

 

 

 

 

Parent Name	I CAN HELP WITH
	Building Sets	Running Lights/Sound	Backstage Help	Sewing/ collecting Costumes	Props	Chaperone Field Trip