junior contemporary theatre scene study
Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
Fall, 2018
Course Syllabus
Junior Theatre: Contemporary Theatre Scene Study
“An actor is totally vulnerable. His total personality is exposed to critical judgment - his intellect, his bearing, his diction, his whole appearance. In short, his ego.” - Sir Alec Guinness
Course Description: This course is designed for the advanced theatre students that serves as a bridge from the classroom to the stage through an exploration of the sculpting and performing of characters from contemporary dramatic literature while deepening their understanding of their own method and approach to the art of acting. It introduces the acting student artist to the concept of development of character on a deeper level.
Course Goal: Students will study dramatic literature written during the late 20th and 21st Centuries with an emphasis on script analysis and how to sculpt a character both from textual clues and the acting techniques needed for the honest and skillful playing of a character.
Essential Questions: How would you define contemporary theatre? What constitutes, in your opinion, good contemporary theatre? In what ways could you contemplate advancing theatre in your generation? What, in your opinion, brought theatre to where it is now?
Google Classroom code: zl8g465
Essential Skills:
1.) Student artists will develop skills in effective script analysis.
2.) Student artists will learn how to fine-tune the vocal skills needed to perform sculpted, honest characters within contemporary dramatic literature.
3.) Student artists will learn how to fine-tune the physical skills needed to perform sculpted and honest characters within contemporary dramatic literature.
4.) Student artists will develop a deeper understanding of their own method and approach to the art of acting by studying master techniques.
5.) Student artists will learn the basics of directing and analyzing a script from the director’s point of view
6.) Student artists will research and explore the role of Theatre within today’s society.
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
a. Analyze and compare artistic choices developed from personal experiences in multiple drama/theatre works.
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
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:
Dramatic Structure and analysis
Character analysis from textual clues
Creating a Character
Understanding Production of contemporary works
ASSESSMENTS: Students will be required to:
1.) Character relations
a.) written response to a dialog work
b.) Introduction to various acting techniques
c.) written character analysis of one of the characters
d.) performance of character based on analysis
2.) Performance of a modern/contemporary monologue
a. Choice of source material
b. Memorization and performance (in context) of a monologue
3.) Actor’s Journal
a.) one entry weekly (observational unless otherwise instructed).
b.) checked by instructor every Thursday – entered on Google classroom
4.) Midterm - MLA paper: Review of a Beacon or Contemporary College/Professional Theatre Performance.
5.) Contemporary Play TBD
a.) written script analysis
b.) written character analysis
c.) performance of entire play by class
6.) Final MLA paper: Character analysis and personal performance critique
LATE WORK POLICY Grade 11
Major Assessments
Homework and classwork
Excused Absences
Fall, 2018
Course Syllabus
Junior Theatre: Contemporary Theatre Scene Study
“An actor is totally vulnerable. His total personality is exposed to critical judgment - his intellect, his bearing, his diction, his whole appearance. In short, his ego.” - Sir Alec Guinness
Course Description: This course is designed for the advanced theatre students that serves as a bridge from the classroom to the stage through an exploration of the sculpting and performing of characters from contemporary dramatic literature while deepening their understanding of their own method and approach to the art of acting. It introduces the acting student artist to the concept of development of character on a deeper level.
Course Goal: Students will study dramatic literature written during the late 20th and 21st Centuries with an emphasis on script analysis and how to sculpt a character both from textual clues and the acting techniques needed for the honest and skillful playing of a character.
Essential Questions: How would you define contemporary theatre? What constitutes, in your opinion, good contemporary theatre? In what ways could you contemplate advancing theatre in your generation? What, in your opinion, brought theatre to where it is now?
Google Classroom code: zl8g465
Essential Skills:
1.) Student artists will develop skills in effective script analysis.
2.) Student artists will learn how to fine-tune the vocal skills needed to perform sculpted, honest characters within contemporary dramatic literature.
3.) Student artists will learn how to fine-tune the physical skills needed to perform sculpted and honest characters within contemporary dramatic literature.
4.) Student artists will develop a deeper understanding of their own method and approach to the art of acting by studying master techniques.
5.) Student artists will learn the basics of directing and analyzing a script from the director’s point of view
6.) Student artists will research and explore the role of Theatre within today’s society.
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
a. Analyze and compare artistic choices developed from personal experiences in multiple drama/theatre works.
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
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:
Dramatic Structure and analysis
Character analysis from textual clues
Creating a Character
Understanding Production of contemporary works
ASSESSMENTS: Students will be required to:
1.) Character relations
a.) written response to a dialog work
b.) Introduction to various acting techniques
c.) written character analysis of one of the characters
d.) performance of character based on analysis
2.) Performance of a modern/contemporary monologue
a. Choice of source material
b. Memorization and performance (in context) of a monologue
3.) Actor’s Journal
a.) one entry weekly (observational unless otherwise instructed).
b.) checked by instructor every Thursday – entered on Google classroom
4.) Midterm - MLA paper: Review of a Beacon or Contemporary College/Professional Theatre Performance.
5.) Contemporary Play TBD
a.) written script analysis
b.) written character analysis
c.) performance of entire play by class
6.) Final MLA paper: Character analysis and personal performance critique
LATE WORK POLICY Grade 11
Major Assessments
- Major assessments must be handed in within 4 days of the due date.
- Every school day late will result in 25 points off.
- At teacher discretion, students may request an extension for full credit if they
- Complete the request form
- Ask at least 2 days before the due date
Homework and classwork
- Homework and classwork must be handed in within 2 days of the due date for 50%, after that the grade will be a zero.
- 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.