Senior High Drama
Senior High Drama is a performance-based class requiring students to work individually and as part of a group. Students will complete a series of dramatic activities, including telling a joke on stage, preparing and presenting a monologue, auditioning for a role, and participating in the complete production of either one full-length play or two one-act plays.
GOALS
Students in Senior High Drama will:
- Learn to interact with other performers
- Study and practice voice control
- Practice and perform a joke and a set of monologues
- Prepare auditions for roles in drama class productions
- Demonstrate skills of acting, including memorization, improvisation, and public performance
- Demonstrate professionalism on stage, backstage, and as an audience member
- Help design and build sets, obtain props and costumes, and organize materials for stage
- Plan, design, and implement a publicity campaign
- Write reflections on performances
ASSESSMENT
The right attitude, regular participation, and responsibility are essential for success in Senior High Drama. Grades in this course will be based on the following major activities:
Daily Participation - Students will earn points each day for respecting auditorium rules, staying on task, engaging in drama activities, and supporting each other.
In-class Performances - Students will prepare and perform a series of short pieces on stage (a silly joke, a monologue, an audition, improvised skits). They will give “life” to characters through the use of voice, body movements, and facial expressions. They will demonstrate appropriate audience behavior when classmates are performing.
Public Performances - Students will be assigned a role in the cast and a set of specific off-stage responsibilities in the production of either a full-length play or two one-act plays. Points will be awarded as students meet deadlines, learn their part(s), rehearse, work on improvement, perform effectively, cooperate backstage, pay attention to detail in assigned tasks, and commit to the group effort.
Reflections - Students will write reflections of their performances and those of others. Reflections are expected to be thorough and considerate.
Final Exam - Each student’s final exam grade will be an average of their performance in the public production(s) of the play(s) and their individual written reflection on the performance.
EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to cooperate with all in-class assignments, support each other, take responsibility for their individual tasks, and challenge themselves to do their best.
Students are required to participate in a scheduled dress rehearsal, an in-school performance, and a public performance of the class play(s). Failure to attend the dress rehearsal or any of the performances, without advance permission of the teacher, will result in a failing grade for the class. Breaking school rules in rehearsals or performances will result in appropriate disciplinary action, and may result in a ban from participation in drama classes in the future.