Hillcrest High School

THEATRE ONE: Intro to Drama
Syllabus 2015-2016

Teacher - Mr. Brent Jones                  Textbook – The Stage and the School, various scripts, handouts             
School Phone -      					 Email: btjones@tcss.net
Course Description:
 In this course, you will be introduced to the basics of drama. You will study the various topics that are listed below. 
YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ON STAGE IN CLASS. 
This is not as scary as it might seem, and you will be broken into doing this gradually. After thorough study and activities involving the performance topics, such as improvisation, pantomime, voice and diction, acting and others you will be graded on performances on stage for each. A large portion of your grade will come from your effort in performing. If you choose not to perform any of the assigned activities, you will be given a “zero” for the assignment.
Objectives:
•	To gain a working knowledge of theatre
•	To produce pantomimes, monologues, reader’s theatre, scenes, and a variety of other performance pieces in front of an audience
•	To improve critical thinking skills and creativity
•	To improve confidence in front of an audience

Topics
The following is a list of topics that we will cover throughout the semester. The topics are taken straight from our textbook, The Stage and the School. In addition to working toward actual performances and competitions, we will be studying these topics in a somewhat sequential order, although the order could be changed based on changes in our needs in the class. Most, but not all of the material used for testing purposes will be taken from the text.
•	Improvisation
•	Pantomime
•	Voice and Diction
•	Acting
•	The Structure of Drama
•	Evaluation of drama
•	Technical Theatre
    Supplies
* *Notebook, pencils, pens.

*There will also be various supplies that will be necessary as the year goes along. Please be prepared to contribute to these needs as they arise. Theatre is a TEAM effort, and it truly takes every one of us contributing his/her time and talents in order to be successful.
Behavior
Students are expected to have a positive attitude and to use their class time wisely. Students are expected to be responsible, respectful, resourceful, prompt, and hardworking. Good attendance is a must. Perfect attendance is encouraged.
Students will be working in small groups FREQUENTLY with other students in the class. Participation, ability to get along with others in your group, and your individual effort grade will be a LARGE portion of each performance assignment.

Evaluation (Your grade!)
Grading Policy:  The final grade for each nine weeks grading period will be based on various methods of assessment. These methods may include, but are not limited to the ones listed below. Your grade will be determined by number of points earned divided by number of points possible.
Miscellaneous activities		There will be many of these. All will be related to our topics of study.	
Class Participation		•	General participation, enthusiasm, effort, teamwork. 
This grade will be given weekly and is based on Mr. Jones’s assessment of your efforts and behavior. As long as you are respectful to others and you put forth reasonable effort, you will receive full credit in this category.
•	Class cleanliness will be a part of this grade as well. The whole class is responsible for keeping the class neat and organized. The last 5 minutes of class will be dedicated to straightening, picking up, cleaning, etc. This grade could come down if the class is not neat and clean at the end of the class period.	
Written tests		Tests on various units studied		
Performance tests		Performances of the various activities in units of study (improvisations, scenes, pantomimes, etc.)	
Competition 
pieces 			Early November (Trumbauer) and Mid-January (Thespian)
You MUST prepare at least one competition piece each semester. You are not required to go to competition, but you must prepare as if you are.
*If you choose to go to the competitions and actually compete, you will receive automatic full credit for this assignment, which will be a MAJOR assignment, worth a large amount of points. 	

Nine Weeks Exam: A comprehensive assessment will be administered at the end of each nine weeks. This assessment will count 20 percent of the grade for each nine weeks. Students may not be exempted from the nine weeks exams.

Final Exam: A comprehensive assessment for material covered in all nine week periods will be administered at the end of the school year. This exam will count as 20 percent of the overall grade for the course. Students may become exempt from the exam by meeting the following criteria: 1) “C” average and 2 absences; 2) “B’ average and 4 absences; 3) “A” average and 6 absences AND no discipline referrals that result in detention, ISI, or suspension during the school year.

Progress Reports: Students will receive a mid-nine weeks report for each nine weeks periods.  

Make-up Policy: Students have two days to complete assignments after returning to school with an absence. Major projects or group presentations must be completed on the scheduled date. It is the student’s responsibility to find out about missed assignments and to make arrangements to complete the assignments. 

Late Assignments: No late work will be accepted. 
Extra Credit: I do not assign or create extra credit for students to bring up their grades. 

Technology Policy: Personal Electronic Devices
Technology can be a valuable educational resource.  Students are allowed to use electronic and technological devices at SPECIFIED times and ONLY when authorized by the teacher for an instructional purpose.  Devices such as smart phones, Kindles, Nooks, laptops, and iPads are items that students can use at the designated time.  Students may also use these devices to replace paperback/hard-cover novels required for purchase/use for reading assignments.  If a student is using a device inappropriately (not in accordance with classroom instruction or TCBOE policy), consequences will be enforced as stated in the Code of Conduct Handbook.

Class Rules
1. Be ready. 
a. No food, drinks, or gum in class.  
b. Listen when I am talking or when someone else is talking. 
c. Offer constructive criticism. Watch the words you use to critique work. 
d. Be mature. Avoid negativity towards each other or towards any assignments. 
e. Be present and on time. (HHS Tardy policy will be enforced)
f.  Bring necessary materials.
g. Respect EVERYONE.
h. Be attentive.
i. Keep electronic devices put away unless permission has been granted for class purposes.
k. Straighten the classroom before leaving. 

* Scripts and other theatre related books are available for check out, but they must be approved by Mr. Jones. You will be responsible for the cost of any scripts or theatre books that you lose or damage.

A Friendly Addendum

Theatre is a creative process that grows, changes and adapts over time. As your theatre teacher, I reserve the right to make any changes I feel necessary in the best interest of the students in the class. I encourage you to offer your input and ideas for every creative effort we attempt. Your thoughts and opinions matter!

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CUT OFF THE SECTION BELOW AND RETURN IT BY FRIDAY, 8/17/15
DO NOT RETURN THE ENTIRE SYLLABUS-Keep the other part, so you can refer to it as needed.
Acknowledgement 
I have read the syllabus, understand and approve of the course standards, content and requirements. 

Student 	______________________________	Date _______________________						
Parent/Guardian 	___________________________	 Date   ______________________

Best phone # to reach parent/guardian: ____________Parent/guardian email address:____________________