Freshman Introduction to Theatre



“Whether you are a writer or an actor or a stage manager, you are trying to express the complications of life through a shared enterprise. That's what theatre was, always. And live performance shares that with an audience in a specific compact: the play is unfinished unless it has an audience, and they are as important as everyone else.”
-Lee Hall


Course Description:   Introduction to theatre is a course designed to give an overview of the theatrical medium for theatre student artists in their first year. Student artists will learn the different portions of a stage, a play, and what/who it takes to mount a production. Examples and exercises in performing, and technical theatre will be taught in conjunction with theatre history.

Essential Questions: Why do humans make theatre? What, in your opinion, makes good theatre? What things could possibly be considered theatre? In your opinion, how has (or does) theatre shape our world?


Course Goal:  Student artists will discover the theatre through practical examination and academic coursework. With this knowledge and experience, student artists will have a better understanding of the mechanics of the theatrical arts.

Essential Skills:
1.)   Student Artists will understand the types of theatres, their history, and the positions of the stage.
2.) Student Artists will learn how to read works of dramatic literature such as a modern play, a musical, and a compilation.
3.) Student Artists will learn the jobs and responsibilities involved in the production of a play
4.) Students will be exposed to improvisation and basic scene work.
5.) Students will learn theatrical history and basics of theatrical theory.

National Standards Covered:

TH:Cr2.1.HSI
a. Explore the function of history and culture in the development of a dramatic concept through a critical analysis of original ideas in a drama/theatre work.
b. Investigate the collaborative nature of the actor, director, playwright, and designers and explore their interdependent roles in a drama/theatre work.

TH:Pr5.1.HSI
a.     Practice various acting techniques to expand skills in a rehearsal or drama/theatre performance.

TH:Pr6.1.HSI
a.     Perform a scripted drama/theatre work for a specific audience.

TH:Re8.1.HSI
b. Identify and compare cultural perspectives and contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.

TH:Re9.1.HSI
a.     Examine a drama/ theatre work using supporting evidence and criteria, while considering art forms, history, culture, and other disciplines.

TH:Cn11.1.HSI
a.     Explore how cultural, global, and historic belief systems affect creative choices in a drama/theatre work.

Grading System:
Per Beacon Charter High School for the Arts Faculty Agreement, all courses utilize the following formula to calculate the final course grade:

45% Major Assignments (projects, papers, performances, power-points)
35% In Class Work (quizzes, journals, discussions, participation in rehearsals)
20% Homework

LATE WORK POLICY:     Grade 9

Major Assessments

  • Major assessments must be handed in within 7 school days of the due date.
  • Every school day late will result in 10 points off.
  • At teacher discretion, students may request an extension for full credit if they…
    • Complete a request form  
    • Ask at least 2 days before the due date
  • Extension due dates are up to teacher discretion but no more than two weeks after the initial due date.

Homework and Classwork

  • Homework and Classwork must be handed in within 7 school days of the due date for  70%.
  • The teacher may assign the missed assignment or an alternate assignment at their discretion.

Excused Absences

  • In academic classes, students have as many days to make up assignments as they are out to receive full credit, and any work handed in later will be subject to the late work policy.
  • If a student has an excused absence the day a major assessment is due, it is due the day of their return. If a student has an unexcused absence, the student will lose points accordingly.

Needed by Student: binder with loose leaf paper or notebook, pen, AGENDA (electronic or otherwise), professional attitude and willingness to work hard, respect for self, fellow actors, instructor and theatre space.

UNITS COVERED:
Theatre basics.
How to read a play.
Basic memorization tips and techniques.
Who’s who in the theatre.
Why do we do theatre?

ASSESSMENTS:  Students will be required to:

1.)  Learn the types of stages and stage positions

2.)   Performance of a pantomime
a.     Choice of source material
b.     Memorization and performance

3.)   Performance of an improvised scene
a.     Choice of source material
b.     Performance

4.)   Actor’s Journal
a.)   one entry weekly assigned in class.
b.)   checked by instructor every Thursday – entered on Google classroom

5.)     Midterm - Oral Presentation of a genre of Eastern theatre.

6.)    Reading a play
a.)     written script analysis
b.)    written character analysis
c.)    performance of one scene/monologue from the play

7.)   Final presentation:  Analysis of a play from the perspective of an actor. OR Children's theatre project 

    Questions? contact Mr. LeClair