Richards ISD

Theatre I

Ms. Joelle Dulaney, Instructor

Course Description:

§117.315. Theatre, Level I. General requirements. Students may fulfill fine arts and elective requirements for graduation by successfully completing Theatre Arts I (One Credit per course). (Grades 9-12)

The fine arts incorporate the study of theatre offers unique experiences and empower students to explore realities, relationships, and ideas. They engage and motivate all students through active learning, critical thinking, and innovative problem solving. The fine arts develop cognitive functioning and increase student academic achievement, higher-order thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, making the fine arts applicable to college readiness, career opportunities, workplace environments, social skills, and everyday life. Students develop aesthetic and cultural awareness through exploration, leading to creative expression. Creativity, encouraged through the study of the fine arts, is essential to nurture and develop the whole child.

Foundations: inquiry and understanding; creative expression; historical and cultural relevance; and critical evaluation and response--provide broad, unifying structures for organizing knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire. Students develop a perception of self, human relationships, and the world using elements of drama and conventions of theatre. Students communicate in a dramatic form, engage in artistic thinking, build positive self-concepts, relate interpersonally and integrate knowledge with other content areas in a relevant manner. Students increase their understanding of heritage and traditions in theatre and the diversity of world cultures as expressed in theatre. Students engage in inquiry and dialogue, accept constructive criticism, revise personal views to promote creative and critical thinking, and develop the ability to appreciate and evaluate live theatre.

Through diverse forms of storytelling and production, students will exercise and develop creativity, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative skills. Participation and evaluation in a variety of theatrical experiences will afford students opportunities to develop an understanding of self and their role in the world.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, the student will have:

(1) developed concepts about self, human relationships, and the environment using elements of drama and conventions of theatre. The student will have:

(A) understood the value and purpose of using listening, observation, concentration, cooperation, and emotional and sensory recall;

(B) developed and practiced theatre preparation and warm-up techniques;

(C) developed and practiced stage movement techniques such as mime, pantomime, stage combat, Laban, Lecoq, or Viewpoints consistently to express thoughts, feelings, and actions non-verbally;

(D) developed and practiced effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings;

(E) analyzed characters by describing attributes such as physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions through reading scripts of published plays;

(F) demonstrated a working knowledge of the language of theatre such as stage terminology, elements of theatre, or theatrical conventions;

(G) analyzed and described the interdependence of all theatrical elements;

(H) defined the roles of and appreciated the collaborative relationships between all artistic partners such as playwrights, composers, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audience;

(I) identified and practice memorization skills;

(J) identified the principles of improvisation; and

(K) identified and recognized the importance of safe theatre practices.

(2) interpreted characters using the voice and body expressively and creates dramatizations. The student will have:

(A) demonstrated safe use of the voice and body;

(B) defined creativity as it relates to personal expression;

(D) used physical, intellectual, emotional, and social awareness to portray believable characters and conveyed a story when applying acting concepts, skills, and techniques;

(E) employed physical techniques consistently to express thoughts, feelings, and actions non-verbally; and

(F) created, writted, and refined original monologues, improvisations, scenes, or vignettes that reflect dramatic structure to convey meaning to the audience through live performance or media forms.

(3) applied design, directing, and theatre production concepts and skills. The student will have:

(A) developed and practiced technical theatre skills;

(B) applied technical knowledge and skills safely to create or operate theatrical elements such as scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, current technology, or publicity;

(C) performed a role such as actor, director, designer, technician, or editor in production decision making and collaborate with others in a production role to tell a story through live theatre or media performance; and

(D) demonstrated responsibility, artistic discipline, and creative problem solving by concentrating in one or more areas of theatre production such as acting, technical theatre, or theatre management.

(4) related theatre to history, society, and culture. The student will have:

(A) portrayed theatre as a reflection of life in particular times, places, and cultures;

(B) related historical and cultural influences on theatre;

(D) appreciated the cultural heritages of world drama and theatre and identify key figures, works, and trends in dramatic literature;

(E) appreciated the multicultural heritage of United States drama and theatre and identify key figures, works, and trends in dramatic literature; and

(F) identified and appreciated the innovations and contributions of the United States to the performing arts such as theatre, melodrama, musical theatre, radio, film, television, technology, or electronic media.

(5) responded to and evaluated theatre and theatrical performances. The student will have:

(A) analyzed and applied appropriate behavior at various types of live performances;

(B) recognized theatre as an art form and evaluate self as a creative being;

(D) evaluated live theatre in written and oral form with precise and specific observations using appropriate evaluative theatre vocabulary such as intent, structure, effectiveness, and value;

(E) evaluated film, television, or other media in written or oral form with precise and specific observations using appropriate evaluative theatre vocabulary such as intent, structure, effectiveness, and value;

(F) explored career and avocational opportunities such as theatre education, arts administration, performance, design, management, and playwriting in theatre or media and evaluate the training, skills, self-discipline, and artistic discipline needed to pursue such opportunities;

(G) used technology such as electronic portfolios, research projects, and journals to document and present information in a clear and coherent manner; and

(H) connected theatre skills and experiences to higher education and careers outside of the theatre.

Source: Source: TEA TExas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The provisions of this §117.315 adopted to be effective July 28, 2013, 38 TexReg 4575.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade will be based on Tests (50%) and Classwork/Homework (50%) and if required, a semester final exam (per district policy). Performances count as test scores and are scored based on rubrics related to the pre-determined skills and knowledge (see course outcomes above) being assessed at the time of the performance. Classwork/Homework grades include project progress (percentage of progress toward goal based on TEKS and goals) and class participation, which will be assessed weekly. Each 6 weeks students will reflect and do a peer and/or self evaluation to develop their own skills in critical analysis for a grade.

Your projects will be often self-directed, so long as you follow classroom rules and procedures (including storage and cleanup). If your grade falls below a 75 or motivation becomes an issue at any time, parents will be contacted. If your grade falls below passing, or you remain unmotivated bell-to-bell, projects will be chosen for you and your seating assignment will be changed. No assignments may be corrected for a higher grade, but only one single assignment may be corrected for a highger grade as an extra credit during the last week of each grading period.

Participation Grading Scale:

A = Superior work, outstanding commitment and daily effort, beyond the norm.

B = Good quality work, strong commitment, growth, quality of effort.

C = Average performance, variable commitment and effort.

F = Poor participation, poor quality or late work, non-participation.

100 points are offered each week for participation. If observed off task for any amount of time -5 points per day of the infraction. If off- task for one half of a class -10 points will be deducted per day. If off-task for one full class -20 points will be deducted for each day off-task. Packing or cleaning prior to 5 minutes before end of class is a deduction (varies with amount of time not working). Cleanup will be announced and if painting, or other approved messier projects, a 10 minute cleanup will be announced. Hanging out at the doorway before the bell rather than joining into discussions or videos after cleanup will count as non-participation. Students who are completed and up to date may participate in other ways to keep from remaining idle such as assisting the teacher with theatre organization, cleaning, search for theatre shows and theatre web sites, etc. If projects are up to date, students may also retain full participation by researching online, using the class resources to develop a bank of ideas for future projects, running lines (solo or with a partner), etc.

Supplies

Other Materials

Optional: Various Materials and Supplies will be helpful, but vary with the project at hand. For example, computer access is helpful with electronic media, and a sewing basket might help with costume or puppet making. It may be necessary to modify this list and have you bring in other supplies for projects based on your own creative ideas.

Throughout the year we will be doing some innovative things but working as is possible with current circumstances to remain socially distant.

I look forward to a fantastic year of creativity with you!

jdulaney@richardsisd.net