California State University, Northridge Summer Academic Enrichment Program
Drama Workshop “ With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it's just not acting. It's lying.”
~Johnny Depp Course Overview : This energetic class offers students extensive training in acting skills (monologues, dialogues, and group scenes from a variety of sources), dance, voice, theatre production, and rehearsal techniques, which culminates in a performance before a live audience. Course Description : This course provides students with the opportunity to study theatre through the process of planning, producing, rehearsing and presenting a variety of theatre projects, including short plays, scenes and monologues, storytelling or children’s theatre performances. Growth and development of students’ acting skills may be demonstrated through regular inclass performances, culminating in two events on campus for students and parents. Students will develop writing skills through preparation of character analyses, performance critiques and playwriting. Opportunities for original work, improvisations, and individual or small group acting projects will be included.
Course Goals and Objectives 1. Goal: To identify expectations, obstacles and tactics experienced in a theatrical setting. Objective : Define and identify theatre terminology, stage areas and blocking directions. Objective: Explore career options in the artistic and technical areas of the entertainment industry. 2. Goal: To interpret and practice various interpretations of dialogue and speech Objective: Use appropriate posture, voice, and eye contact in performance pieces. Objective : Analyze characters, conflict, and plot in a play. Objective: Perform improvisation pieces. Objective: Learn to create and perform pantomimes. Objective : Learn basic dance terminology and movements. Objective : Rehearse and perform monologues, dialogues, and/or scenes for a theatrical production.
Course Materials : All materials (handouts, worksheets, lists, scripts) will be provided by the teacher/SAEP. Each student needs : 1. A binder with pockets (for handouts, work, notes). 2. Plenty of white lined paper for taking notes ( not the spiralbound notebook paper with the fuzzy edges). 3. Writing utensils (both pens and pencils). Additionally : Students/parents are expected to provide their own inexpensive costume pieces and props for the performance that takes place at the end of the program. I will send home a “Wish List” of needed materials and services, and I thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance.
Course Grading Homework, Classwork and Test Policy: Each student can expect homework each night, either writing or practicing lines/blocking/learned techniques. Assignments may be neatly handwritten on worksheets. However, if the teacher cannot read the student’s writing, an answer may be marked “wrong.” Students can feel free to recreate the worksheet on the computer, filling in his/her correct answers, but such recreation is not required. I expect all assignments to be completed. Missed/late assignments can be made up/turned in, only if the student has an excused absence on the due date. If a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent, prior arrangements for missed work should be made with the teacher. If a student is absent on the day an assignment is due, that assignment must be turned in on the day the student returns to class. There will be several written and demonstrative quizzes on theatre terms and performance techniques. If students are absent on a test day, the student must make up a quiz/performance within the time set forth by the teacher. Attendance Attendance and participation are a crucial part of a musical theater production. The class works together as a team to create a performance that will be greater than what any one individual could produce. Absences negatively affect rehearsals in a very large way. Students are encouraged to be present everyday, and asked to limit planned absences as much as possible. Students interested in a medium to large size part in the show will have to commit to missing no more than five days total from the entire program, and none of those days can be in the week of the performance. Any student with a significant role that breaks this rule will have their part recast.
Grading : Students are mainly assessed on enthusiastic/energetic class participation in exercises and rehearsals. In addition, various homework assignments and inclass work will be graded (worksheets/quizzes). “Active” participation includes learning one’s lines and blocking in a timely manner, certainly by the “offbook” (meaning no more scripts in hands at rehearsals) date. Obviously, for the benefit of the individual, and of the group as a whole, the teacher expects all assignments to be completed. If a student will be missing a day of class, alternate assignments/arrangements should be discussed with the teacher, but missing students must make up the work.
55% attendance and participation 10% classwork/ homework 20% performance/memorization checks 15% final performance Rehearsals and Final Performance: Students must be in attendance at afternoon rehearsals and the final performance in the evening on July 20th (time to be announced). After school rehearsals will be on the following afternoons: 1. Monday, July 18; 1:003:00pm 2. Tuesday, July 19; 1:003:00pm 3. Wednesday, July 20; 2:30pm
Academic Integrity Cheating : Plagiarism: “1. the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.” ( "Plagiarism." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 20 Feb. 2009. .) Access to technology makes it easier to copy the work of others. Students will learn what constitutes plagiarism and how to steer clear of it. As a rule, if there are three words in a row that someone else can claim, cite it. Plagiarism is stealing and cheating and will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is against the law. The first time a student is caught plagiarizing, there will be a teacher/student conference, a phone call home, no credit given for the assignment, and notification given to the SAEP office. Copying from a fellow classmate is also unacceptable on homework assignments and individual assessments. The consequences are the same as above. Teacherease.com : Parents and students can access grades and attendance through a webbased grade program at teacherease.com . By the end of the first week, parents will be emailed the password to access the program. If you do not receive your password via email, please contact the office staff at
[email protected] and request the password to be resent. It is beneficial for you to refer often to the website to check your
child's progress and attendance in class. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Classroom Behavior : The student is expected to demonstrate mature, polite behavior and extend courtesy to everyone at all times: 1. Actively participate, and respectful verbal and nonverbal interaction with all opinions must be shown at all times. 2. Since differing views will be expressed, the teacher and the student(s) will mutually maintain a safe environment for courteous dialogue. 3. Respect is to be shown for all CSUN property. 4. No food or beverages will be permitted in the classroom. Snacks must be eaten outside between the designated breaks. 5. Warnings for behavior / discipline problems will be given once. Any further problems will result in a phone call to the parent(s) or guardian(s) and possible dismissal from the program. SAEP Electronics Policy Cell phones, music players and headphones are not permitted to be used during class hours. a. Please put your cell phone on silent (NOT vibrate). b. No texting is allowed during class. You will be given one verbal warning if the above is not followed. Should a second warning be necessary, your cell phone, music player and/or headphones will be confiscated and held by the teacher until after class. If a third time occurs, your cell phone, music player and/or headphones will be confiscated and held in the SAEP office and MUST BE PICKED UP BY A PARENT.
Drama Workshop ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After reading through the syllabus, please sign and date and have your student return it to class. The signature constitutes your commitment to the class as we partner to make the next five weeks a lifelong educational experience for your student. Student/ Parent Agreement : Please bring this signed and dated Drama Workshop syllabus agreement to class tomorrow. If you do not understand any portion of this syllabus, or if you have any questions regarding this class, please do not hesitate to email the teacher. We have read and understand the contents of this syllabus. Student name ______________________________________________________
Student signature____________________________________________________
Date__________________
Parent/Guardian name _______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature_____________________________________________
Date_________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________
Email_____________________________________________________________
