Beginning-Intermediate Theatre
There are three periods of this course:
Period 1 Beginning-Intermediate Acting
Room G201, Mon, Tues, Thurs Google classrm code: c4lcb9y [email protected] 323-382-4662
Period 7 Beginning-Intermediate Acting
Room G208, Mon, Tues, Thurs Google classrm code: 668n7w [email protected] 323-382-4662
Period 8 Beginning-Intermediate Acting with Ms. Borrus
Room G208, Mon, Wed, Friday Google classrm code: f6n3hi [email protected] 323-382-4662
Grades for all classes can be viewed on Jupiter grades https://login.jupitered.com
COURSE OVERVIEW
Each of these classes includes mostly beginning acting students, with a few intermediate students to take the lead to model and inspire you! First, our focus is learning fundamental acting skills (working in ensemble, pantomime, tableau, improvisation, stage directions, body control, vocal projection and articulation).
You will then apply these skills to perform scenes from published plays, devise original work based on personal experience, news events, literature or visual art, and explore different genres of theatre and theatre history. You will learn how to analyze a script from an actors' perspective, portray a character with authenticity, learn stage conventions and etiquette, and become more confident speaking in front of people.
The course involves writing and research but most of the time you will be on your feet collaborating, playing and creating with classmates. You may feel or look silly at times... embrace it! Regardless of whether or not you want to "be an actor," you will become a more expressive communicator, and that comes in handy in all your classes, when you look for a job, apply to college...and in your social life!
Fall Semester Schedule for Period 1 and Period 7: (subject to change based on student progress)
Week 1-2: Ensemble & Trust Games, Actor's Toolbox
Weeks 3-4: Pantomime, CROW & Stage Directions
Week 5: Tableau, Story structure
Week 6-8: Improvisation & Character
Week 9-18: Project: Showcase of Scenes/Monologues-Modern Am Play(s) or Living Newspaper
Fall Semester Schedule for Period 8:
Week 1-2: Forming an Ensemble, the Actor's Toolbox
Week 3-4: Pantomime aka "Spacework"
Week 4: Residency in with LA Rep begins!
6 Teaching artists from LA Rep will be with us Wed & Fridays from
September 6- November 8. You will will develop original scenes while working in collaboration with an
English class from the Engineering & Technology Academy.
Week 5-14: As the residency continues I will continue to teach you fundamental skills like tableau, stage directions,
additional improvisation and character analysis.
November 8: Performance of original work in school assembly and at 6 PM for families
Weeks 15, 17, 18: Holiday audiobooks or Monologues
November 18 Extra-curricular Opportunity for all students in 10,11, 12th grades August Wilson Monologue Competition www.centertheatregroup.org/programs/students-and-educators/august-wilson-monologue-competition/
Spring Semester all Periods - Units to be selected from among:
Scenes by African-American & Latino Playwrights • Mask Theatre • Shakespeare • Adaption of Folktales
March 15: Field trip to production of "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry
THEATRE CLASS NORMS
1. Phones & earbuds in backpacks, purses or my phone box. NOT in POCKETS!!!
2. Respect our space: No gum, food or beverages other than H2O.
3. Hats and Backpacks are not worn in class except as costumes.
4. Be on time: more than 3 unexcused tardies = U on report card.
5. No restroom passes first or last 15 min of period. Can't drop your stuff and say you'll be back in 10.
6. Bring your laptop every day.
7. Try your best even if it feels weird at first, and wear clothes and shoes you can really move in!
8. Risk-taking demands a SAFE space! Respect yourself, your fellow artists and instructors.
Listen actively, facing speaker/performer.
No sidebar discussions, and "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"
(What classmates share as part of the work is not to be discussed with others).
DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE
1. As soon as you enter, put phone in back pack/purse, my box, read agenda on board.
2. Short Writing Prompt, Vocabulary, Reading or Video with follow up Discussion.
3. Physical & vocal warm up and focus exercise
4. Main Learning Activity
5. Reflection & HW assigned
COMMUNICATION
1. When absent, be sure to check Google Classroom and ask regarding missed assignment
2. Please talk to me, text, phone or email me right away if you are having problems with health,
a classmate, assignment or other issues that affect your participation.
EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT
A full list of Learning Targets follows and is posted in class.
Students are expected to become proficient in specific theatre and acting skills.
You will be given several assessments for each target skill, with timely feedback, so you can gauge your progress and improve.
You will also be given the opportunity to “throw out” your lowest graded assessment.
Grading Rubric Score Description Letter Equivalent
Advanced 4 Student has mastered the theatre concept or skill A
Proficient 3 Student understands the theatre concept or skill and
is working toward complete mastery. B
Developing 2 Student demonstrates a basic understanding of the
theatre concept of skill. C
Beginning 1 Student is not yet able to correctly demonstrate an
understanding of this theatre concept or skill D
Not assessable 0 Student did not turn in work to demonstrate proficiency. F
Mid-semester and finals grading: I will average your skills assessments and convert to a letter grade
LEARNING TARGETS FOR BEGINNING-INTERMEDIATE THEATRE CLASSES
Language of the Discipline:
• I can use the vocabulary of the theatre to describe and participate in theatrical experiences.
Collaborate: Ensemble Skills
• I participate in daily performance tasks and exercises.
• I can give and take focus cleanly and generously.
• I make artistic contributions to collaborative group projects.
• I practice giving constructive criticism.
• I listening actively while watching performances and during class discussion and exercises.
Perform/Create:
Vocal Projection and Articulation
• I can speak loudly enough to be heard and clearly enough to be understood in rehearsal, performance and oral presentations.
Physical Theatre
• I can use my body to create character and dramatic action through gesture, expression and movement
(Pantomime, Tableaux, basic Stage Combat, Mask).
Improvisation & Scripted Dramas
• I understand and can apply guidelines of improvisation to perform short two-person and group improvs.
• I can use my script and character analyses to create a vivid, authentic portrayal of a character in a scripted work of theatre.
Devised Theatre and Adaptation
• I can collaborate with classmates to conceptualize and develop original theatre work inspired by current events, personal experience, visual text or other literature, such as folktales or poetry.
Analyze and Interpret:
• I can examine a theatre work using supporting evidence and criteria, identifying the dramatic structure and theme(s) and consider the intent of the playwright.
• I can analyze scenes from an actor's perspective (previous circumstances, scoring beats, objectives, tactics, key lines).
• I can paraphrase complex language in plays (like Shakespearean verse), inferring from context, using reference materials.
Connect:
• I can formulate a deeper understanding of a theatre work by considering how playwrights and other reflect and influence their culture.
Evaluate:
• I can develop criteria to evaluate artistic choices made in works for the theatre (rubric creation)
• I can evaluate verbally and in writing a theatrical production, describing how actors use specific skills to evoke character, and how stage, lighting & costume design impact the storytelling.
• I can compare a traditional interpretation of a play with a non-traditional interpretation and describe the merits of each.
Period 1 Beginning-Intermediate Acting
Room G201, Mon, Tues, Thurs Google classrm code: c4lcb9y [email protected] 323-382-4662
Period 7 Beginning-Intermediate Acting
Room G208, Mon, Tues, Thurs Google classrm code: 668n7w [email protected] 323-382-4662
Period 8 Beginning-Intermediate Acting with Ms. Borrus
Room G208, Mon, Wed, Friday Google classrm code: f6n3hi [email protected] 323-382-4662
Grades for all classes can be viewed on Jupiter grades https://login.jupitered.com
COURSE OVERVIEW
Each of these classes includes mostly beginning acting students, with a few intermediate students to take the lead to model and inspire you! First, our focus is learning fundamental acting skills (working in ensemble, pantomime, tableau, improvisation, stage directions, body control, vocal projection and articulation).
You will then apply these skills to perform scenes from published plays, devise original work based on personal experience, news events, literature or visual art, and explore different genres of theatre and theatre history. You will learn how to analyze a script from an actors' perspective, portray a character with authenticity, learn stage conventions and etiquette, and become more confident speaking in front of people.
The course involves writing and research but most of the time you will be on your feet collaborating, playing and creating with classmates. You may feel or look silly at times... embrace it! Regardless of whether or not you want to "be an actor," you will become a more expressive communicator, and that comes in handy in all your classes, when you look for a job, apply to college...and in your social life!
Fall Semester Schedule for Period 1 and Period 7: (subject to change based on student progress)
Week 1-2: Ensemble & Trust Games, Actor's Toolbox
Weeks 3-4: Pantomime, CROW & Stage Directions
Week 5: Tableau, Story structure
Week 6-8: Improvisation & Character
Week 9-18: Project: Showcase of Scenes/Monologues-Modern Am Play(s) or Living Newspaper
Fall Semester Schedule for Period 8:
Week 1-2: Forming an Ensemble, the Actor's Toolbox
Week 3-4: Pantomime aka "Spacework"
Week 4: Residency in with LA Rep begins!
6 Teaching artists from LA Rep will be with us Wed & Fridays from
September 6- November 8. You will will develop original scenes while working in collaboration with an
English class from the Engineering & Technology Academy.
Week 5-14: As the residency continues I will continue to teach you fundamental skills like tableau, stage directions,
additional improvisation and character analysis.
November 8: Performance of original work in school assembly and at 6 PM for families
Weeks 15, 17, 18: Holiday audiobooks or Monologues
November 18 Extra-curricular Opportunity for all students in 10,11, 12th grades August Wilson Monologue Competition www.centertheatregroup.org/programs/students-and-educators/august-wilson-monologue-competition/
Spring Semester all Periods - Units to be selected from among:
Scenes by African-American & Latino Playwrights • Mask Theatre • Shakespeare • Adaption of Folktales
March 15: Field trip to production of "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry
THEATRE CLASS NORMS
1. Phones & earbuds in backpacks, purses or my phone box. NOT in POCKETS!!!
2. Respect our space: No gum, food or beverages other than H2O.
3. Hats and Backpacks are not worn in class except as costumes.
4. Be on time: more than 3 unexcused tardies = U on report card.
5. No restroom passes first or last 15 min of period. Can't drop your stuff and say you'll be back in 10.
6. Bring your laptop every day.
7. Try your best even if it feels weird at first, and wear clothes and shoes you can really move in!
8. Risk-taking demands a SAFE space! Respect yourself, your fellow artists and instructors.
Listen actively, facing speaker/performer.
No sidebar discussions, and "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"
(What classmates share as part of the work is not to be discussed with others).
DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE
1. As soon as you enter, put phone in back pack/purse, my box, read agenda on board.
2. Short Writing Prompt, Vocabulary, Reading or Video with follow up Discussion.
3. Physical & vocal warm up and focus exercise
4. Main Learning Activity
5. Reflection & HW assigned
COMMUNICATION
1. When absent, be sure to check Google Classroom and ask regarding missed assignment
2. Please talk to me, text, phone or email me right away if you are having problems with health,
a classmate, assignment or other issues that affect your participation.
EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT
A full list of Learning Targets follows and is posted in class.
Students are expected to become proficient in specific theatre and acting skills.
You will be given several assessments for each target skill, with timely feedback, so you can gauge your progress and improve.
You will also be given the opportunity to “throw out” your lowest graded assessment.
Grading Rubric Score Description Letter Equivalent
Advanced 4 Student has mastered the theatre concept or skill A
Proficient 3 Student understands the theatre concept or skill and
is working toward complete mastery. B
Developing 2 Student demonstrates a basic understanding of the
theatre concept of skill. C
Beginning 1 Student is not yet able to correctly demonstrate an
understanding of this theatre concept or skill D
Not assessable 0 Student did not turn in work to demonstrate proficiency. F
Mid-semester and finals grading: I will average your skills assessments and convert to a letter grade
LEARNING TARGETS FOR BEGINNING-INTERMEDIATE THEATRE CLASSES
Language of the Discipline:
• I can use the vocabulary of the theatre to describe and participate in theatrical experiences.
Collaborate: Ensemble Skills
• I participate in daily performance tasks and exercises.
• I can give and take focus cleanly and generously.
• I make artistic contributions to collaborative group projects.
• I practice giving constructive criticism.
• I listening actively while watching performances and during class discussion and exercises.
Perform/Create:
Vocal Projection and Articulation
• I can speak loudly enough to be heard and clearly enough to be understood in rehearsal, performance and oral presentations.
Physical Theatre
• I can use my body to create character and dramatic action through gesture, expression and movement
(Pantomime, Tableaux, basic Stage Combat, Mask).
Improvisation & Scripted Dramas
• I understand and can apply guidelines of improvisation to perform short two-person and group improvs.
• I can use my script and character analyses to create a vivid, authentic portrayal of a character in a scripted work of theatre.
Devised Theatre and Adaptation
• I can collaborate with classmates to conceptualize and develop original theatre work inspired by current events, personal experience, visual text or other literature, such as folktales or poetry.
Analyze and Interpret:
• I can examine a theatre work using supporting evidence and criteria, identifying the dramatic structure and theme(s) and consider the intent of the playwright.
• I can analyze scenes from an actor's perspective (previous circumstances, scoring beats, objectives, tactics, key lines).
• I can paraphrase complex language in plays (like Shakespearean verse), inferring from context, using reference materials.
Connect:
• I can formulate a deeper understanding of a theatre work by considering how playwrights and other reflect and influence their culture.
Evaluate:
• I can develop criteria to evaluate artistic choices made in works for the theatre (rubric creation)
• I can evaluate verbally and in writing a theatrical production, describing how actors use specific skills to evoke character, and how stage, lighting & costume design impact the storytelling.
• I can compare a traditional interpretation of a play with a non-traditional interpretation and describe the merits of each.