Course Description: Exploratory Theatre Exploratory Theatre is an entry-level, participation-based, performance course designed to help students become college- and career-ready through the mastery of skills in the discipline of Theatre Arts. The focus of this course is on learning life skills that will aid students throughout their lives. According to the International Labour Organization, the top six skills employers want today are Creativity, Teamwork, Interpersonal Skills, Adaptability, Problem-Solving, and Effective Communication Skills. Theatre develops all of these skills by teaching four aspects of theatre outlined in the Utah standards: Create, Perform, Respond, and Connect. All assigned work is structured to help students meet the mastery goals found in the Utah State Core Curriculum. This course will have an emphasis on various aspects of performance. No previous experience is necessary. The course will include, but not be limited to improvisation, monologues, characterization, movement, and work with voice projection and diction, public speaking, etc. Other skills learned and developed include critical thinking, rehearsal skills, plot structure, reading, writing, and cooperative group work. Class Expectations: The Golden Rule RESPECT Treat others as you would like to be treated. RESPECT includes the emotional and physical treatment of self, others, and property. This also includes thinking the best of others always assume good will. The Shakespeare Rule INTEGRITY To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man. Shakespeare INTEGRITY includes honesty and doing one s best and what is right, even when no one is watching. The Boy Scout Rule PREPARATION Be Prepared! Being PREPARED includes numerous positive behaviors like being prompt, having the correct materials, engaged, focused, on task, and eager to learn. The Star Trek Rule EXPLORE Boldly go where no one has gone before. To LEARN is to DISCOVER! Don t be afraid to take risks or make mistakes in class. Be Awesome and SMILE! You are already awesome, so be YOURSELF! Smile it increases your face value! Smiling may not be required during some acting exercises (just before and after). Supplies Needed for This Class: Pencil and Eraser Highlighter Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes that allow you to move without distraction Composition or spiral notebook that will be left in the classroom Folder/binder for papers/scripts which will be brought to class throughout the semester (these will NOT be left in the classroom)
Grading Your final grade will be calculated as follows: 35% - Participation and Professionalism (includes participation, daily starters, group exercises, attitude, teamwork, effective communication, etc.) 40% - Summative Assessments (includes final performances, written exams, critiques, etc.) 25% - Formative Assessments and Assignments (homework assignments, coached and preview performances, smaller performance assignments, memorization, quizzes, etc.) Participation & Professionalism 35% Attendance is mandatory. Promptness and preparedness are expected at all times. Being prepared means that you arrive at class with all of the supplies you need for the day (including props or costumes) and are seated and quietly doing the daily Focus Factor (starter) when the tardy bell rings. This class is extremely interactive. Your grade (and others) can suffer when you are absent, late, or unprepared because you miss valuable learning time to gain mastery. Many classroom activities cannot be made up. Due to the nature of the activities theatre is built around learning by doing being in attendance and on time is essential. Alternative assignments may be given for students to make up points from excused absences. Each day, a total of 5 points may be earned for Participation & Professionalism. Students will earn points for participating in class discussions, acting exercises and warm-ups, and all class activities. These points are based on observable and measurable actions in the class. In theatre, having a great attitude is critical for success. Effort is rewarded over talent. If a student is actively participating in class, they will succeed. Performing with a positive attitude while working with others, they will have no problem earning all of their participation and performance points. If a student is unwilling to participate in daily activities or with the groups to which s/he is assigned, up to all 5 points could be lost. Excellent audience etiquette is required for points. Students earn points for: positive cooperation in class activities willingness to try, ask questions, and volunteer prepared, in seat, working on assignment when tardy bell rings with all necessary supplies (this includes props & costumes) helping when necessary and asked having a great attitude which is contagious Students lose points for: disruptive or disrespectful behavior including, but not limited to, vulgarity or derogatory language unwillingness to explore or participate being unprepared (forgetting supplies, wearing inappropriate clothing to participate, or repeatedly asking to leave class) Consequences are determined by the choices a person makes. When good choices are made, positive consequences follow. On the other hand, if a student chooses poor behavior and actions, then negative consequences follow. Each student is the master of their future. Participation in theatre should help students see natural consequences in most instances. Positive Consequences: Verbal Appreciation Special Privileges Positive Phone Calls/Notes Home School Recognition Whole Class Rewards Negative Consequences: Warning Time-Out Table Room Next Door Phone Call/Note Home Administration Involvement
Summative Assessments (Final Performances, Written Exams, etc.) 40% Throughout the semester there will be various assessments. These will be performance/project based. You will also have traditional quizzes and tests. Students should be amply prepared to succeed if they have participated in class, prepared for, and completed their assignments as required. Assignments and Formative Assessments and 25% Throughout the semester, assignments will include requiring reading, writing, memorization, introspection, quizzes, research, evaluation, and analysis. Tests and quizzes on work and information will also be required. Each assignment will have its own rubric. These assignments and assessments are important as they prepare you for final performances and tests. Performance Critiques: Because part of our course study will focus on analysis and finding meaning in works of theatre art, students are required to attend two (2) live performances per semester and report on them. These must be completed by May 19, 2017 1) The Performance Critique Form can be found in the Classroom Forms Folder or on the class website at https://srmstheatre.wordpress.com/ and should be completed and attached to some proof of attendance (ticket stub, program cover, etc.) 2) The school play and/or musical may be used if the student is not a participant in the play or musical. A student may not critique a performance in which they perform or participate. 3) Each student must attend two 60+ minute plays or musicals throughout the quarter. Movies, ballets, operas, dance concerts etc. will not be eligible unless prior permission is received by parents from Mrs. Cottam. Productions can be seen at another school, community theatre, university theatre, or professional theatre. Plays done at an elementary or church building are usually not acceptable. 4) Students who are unable to see a live production because of overwhelmingly extenuating circumstances need to see Mrs. Cottam PRIOR to the last week of the term for an alternative assignment. 5) No A grades will be awarded without the completion of performance critiques. Critiques are due one week before the quarter ends. No LATE critiques will be accepted. Areas of Study & Mandatory Performances: Students will be required to perform several in-class performances. Some will be with groups or another individual, others will be alone. Performing in front of the class is mandatory. Throughout the semester, some of the areas of theatre that we will study to gain life skills are: Improv, Auditions, Pantomime, Public Speaking, and Acting. Remind.com Mrs. Cottam uses Remind.com to easily remind the Exploratory Class and parents of upcoming assignments, changes in schedule, etc.. As a class, Remind.com will allow for this easy communication without any loss of privacy. Further information is available on the separate information sheet and invitation. Please sign up by following this link: https://www.remind.com/join/49d4a4
Make-Up Work: In Theatre (as in life), if you ve been absent, you ve missed crucial information, exercises, and rehearsal to help you perform to your best. Your absence may also impact others. This is the essence of learning life skills through theatre in this course. If absences are planned in advance (e.g. school activities or family vacations) or for extended medical reasons, arrangements need to be made with me prior to the missing class. Absences for any other reason need to be excused in accordance with school policy. It is the student s responsibility to find out what s/he missed and make it up. Through attendance in class, you will gain confidence, learn to communicate and collaborate, and solve problems creatively. You also learn which of your choices work, and which didn't work. These are all important building blocks in becoming a better person and performer. The Make-Up assignments are an attempt to improve your skills in Theatre or in some other significant way (usually by analyzing a text). Students with excused absences may complete an alternate assignment from the Alternate Make-Up Activities List located in the Classroom Forms Folder or on the class website at https://srmstheatre.wordpress.com Any make-up work is due within one week from the day you return to class. Several alternate assignments will be needed to make-up a major in-class performance (see Mrs. Cottam for details). Make-up work and alternate assignments will NOT be accepted the last week of any quarter. Late Work Policy: Late work is unacceptable. The old adage, The show must go on is true. Prepared or not, Theatre deadlines are certain. Theatre requires discipline and accomplishing what is asked of you on-time and in a professional manner. The skills which you will be expected to use are learning organization and completing tasks when they are assigned. This is to help you learn how to do your best while meeting deadlines and being organized and responsible. These skills you will learn in Theatre will be some of the most valuable tools you will ever learn in your life. Media Use and Privacy: Students in this class will often view relevant and age- appropriate media from various film, television, and other media sources. Video recordings of in-class performances may be used in evaluating student work. No release of these recordings will be allowed without permission, separate from this form, of both performers and their parents. Photos of student performances may be posted on the class, school, and district websites. If students or parents do not want photos posted, they may contact Mrs. Cottam. Responsibility of Students and Parents: In an effort to encourage the students to take responsibility for their behavior, work, and grades, and to help me to improve my teaching, I ask that you first encourage your student to come and speak with me if a problem, question, or concern arises. However, if you feel that the student/teacher meeting does not resolve the concern, please let me hear from you. Feel free to contact me via email or by calling the Sunset Ridge Main Office and leaving a message. I will respond as soon as possible.
Disclosure Return this form for CREDIT Dear Parents/Guardians of Advanced Theatre Students, After you have read and discussed this class disclosure with your student, please tear off this page of the disclosure. Only this page needs to be returned. The rest is yours to keep for reference. You and your student should sign this page below where indicated, and return this page only to Mrs. Cottam by return by Tuesday, 1/24/2017. Your signature and your student s signature are both required for credit. Your child has been given a scavenger hunt assignment to complete while discussing this disclosure with you. Please keep the previous information as a reference and reminder. As a parent, I have filled out the online questionnaire at https://goo.gl/forms/fck6kirm6esacud82 My student and I have read the Advanced Theatre course disclosure. We have no questions or concerns: (Print Student Name) (Print Parent/ Guardian Name) (Student Signature) (Parent/ Guardian Signature) How can I best reach you if I need to speak with you about your student? Email Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Is there any information about your student or your family that you feel Mrs. Cottam should know in order to better accommodate your student? Please have your child to return THIS page and the Scavenger Hunt assignment to Mrs. Cottam on or before Tuesday, 1/24/2017.