Drama
Welcome!
I hope you are looking forward to a fun and exciting year! There are lots of opportunities to get involoved like the Fall Play, The Crucible, and the Spring Musical, All Shook Up! ~ Mr. McChesney
Drama Classes:
Basic Drama
The full year of Basic Drama will introduce students to Theatre through the rudiments of acting and stage knowledge: voice and movement exercises, improvisations, theatre games and activities, character and scene analysis, journals and performances. The study of theatre as an art requires active and consistent
participation in an atmosphere of trust.
Play Production And Performance
This full year course is designed to reinforce
and refine skills of Basic Drama by learning in detail the production aspects
of video production, make-up, costume, scene design, in preparation for the
following performances: period plays, children’s theatre, monologues, and
scenes.
Advanced Acting And Directing
This advanced full year course is designed to reinforce and refine skills of Basic
Drama and/or Play Production & Performance through the study of acting,
dramaturgy, performance ensemble, Theatre education, Theatre History,
playwriting & directing. The advanced student is empowered to pursue
theatre as a lifelong personal interest.
Stagecraft
Stagecraft is the merging of the many technical elements of play production and the
director and playwright’s vision of the finished play. Students who study
Stagecraft acquire an intimate knowledge of design, construction, painting,
costuming, properties, sound, lighting, rigging and all other technical aspects
of theater production. They are afforded “hands-on” practical experience
through PARTICIPATION that may lead them into technical careers.
Drama Rules And Guidelines:
DISCIPLINE - Be prompt, prepared, and listen to instructions.
RESPECT - Respect me, respect others & we will respect you.
ACHIEVEMENT - Participate & set high self-standards.
MANAGEMENT - Plan for and complete all of your work on time.
ATTITUDE - Be positive, creative, and have fun.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is crucial. If you are not here, you are not learning from the classroom activities or helping with the assigned duties, which have deadlines – this breaks down the effectiveness of work groups. Unexcused absences result in zero credit for the day. Leaving the classroom without permission is an unexcused absence. If you accumulate a total of 11 absences in one semester, you wil be dropped from the class and receive zero credit for this course.
TARDINESS / SWEEP
According to the school policy, I agree that a tardy implies that a student is not inside the classroom when the bell rings. When you are late, you must report to the SWEEP program. No arguments.
1st 5 MINUTES OF CLASS
You may QUIETLY talk with one another IN YOUR SEATS while I am taking attendance. Always check the board for assignments or instructions upon your arrival. If there is a bell work assignment, you will be expected to follow the directions quietly and diligently. If you do not, you will receive zero credit for that assignment. Announcements are done at the beginning of class, during and/or right after attendance – pay attention the first time, they will NOT be repeated!!!!
COMING TO ATTENTION
This is a respect issue! I enjoy planning my classes with games and activities that help you learn while having a good time. However, there is only so much time in a day and my patience is limited. If I cannot get your attention or cooperation, then I will remove the activities planned for that day.
SCHEDULING / KNOWING THE
TOPIC OF THE DAY
On occasion, I will use the whiteboard to alert you of specific items that relate to certain lessons. This is a reminder to check the board as you enter the room, to get prepared for what will be going on that day. Primarily, though, I allow you to discover
through participation in activities and games.
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
We will create and maintain a seating chart in this class. Once the seating chart has been established, you may NOT relocate unless you are having extreme difficulties. In addition, if you cannot handle the person you are sitting with or near, I will have to distance you.
FOOD / GUM / DRINK /
COSMETIC APPLICATION
These are not allowed in this classroom. The school has strict policies regarding chewing gum, eating, drinking and applying cosmetics; they are unacceptable. The ONLY exception to this rule is bottled water. Ask me about my gum policy!
TEACHER’S AREA
I need my space too. NO ONE is allowed in my office without specified permission from me. In addition, please do not misuse any of my personal or school property…ESPECIALLY whiteboard markers!
PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE ROOM
In your student handbooks, you will be given a certain number of passes for the entire school year – they will allow you to go anywhere within the school campus. You may utilize a pass at anytime during the class period, quietly and unobtrusive, so as to not disturb the class. I will only sign completed passes. When out of the classroom, you must carry the pass wherever you go. You are responsible for your own passes: if you forget them, I will not be held responsible and you will not be allowed to leave the
classroom.
MAKE-UP WORK / WHEN YOU ARE
ABSENT
I am available to discuss and explain missed assignments before school, during
lunch or between classes: I will not explain missed work during the class period. If you finish the assignment and turn it in
to me no later than one week after your return to class, you will receive full credit for the assignment. Assignments
turned in late will only be worth half-credit… NO EXCEPTIONS! This policy includes performances.
CLASS NOTES / RETURNED
ASSIGNMENTS
I highly recommend that you keep everything that is handed out to you or returned to you. You never know when you may need to reuse something in this class, especially since lessons build on each other. In addition, if I do not have an assignment
recorded, and you cannot provide the returned assignment as proof, you may receive zero credit for that assignment.
EXTRA CREDIT
You may receive extra-credit points for additional work during the school year. In other words, any extra effort involving theatre or benefiting our drama program will most likely be considered worthy of attention. For instance: set building or
painting, donating props, going to see shows, ushering, etc.
CLEAN UP
The area around your desks must be picked up before you leave. You will not be allowed to leave unless everyone has done this. I do not have to, nor do I want to, clean up after you!
END-OF-PERIOD DISMISSAL
The bell does not dismiss you…I DO. After clean up, I will tell you when you may leave. Do NOT leave early – it will be counted as an absence!