Drama Course Description 2011-2012

Middle School Drama Class at Windrush School meets two times per week, for one trimester.

It is my expectation that students arrive on time, with only drama materials (folder/binder, pencil and reference materials).  It is important to be both physically and mentally prepared for drama class, so I ask that students dress appropriately for active exercises and come to class willing to participate and take risks.

Behavior Expectations

1. Active and engaged participation throughout class whether you are acting, observing, listening or discussing an exercise.
2. Supportive, thoughtful and constructive feedback is required between fellow actors and audiences.
3. Be safe.  Classmates will respect the physical surroundings and the physical safety of others.
4. Share the experience.  Students are expected to balance their participation fairly.
5. Windrush Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and expectations for behavior outlined in Middle School Policies apply in drama class.

Students will be evaluated on the following criteria: 

1. Participation in class.
2. Thorough completion of assignments.
3. Organization of materials.
4. Creativity.

ELECTIVE

This Fall/Winter double trimester elective course is a comedy play in production class. It meets three times per week through the first week of March.  Performances are scheduled for March 9^th-11^th, with a possible extension to include performances during the school day.  There will be several afterschool and one weekend rehearsal as the show approaches.  Please see the Windrush Calendar for specific dates and times in late February/early March.

Currently, we are previewing potential scripts in class.  Through this, students are learning how to do a cold read, how to follow directions for intonation and feeling and what pacing works best for particular styles of comedy. We will likely come to a decision about the show we will perform in March by mid-October. In rehearsal and performance the focus will be on comic timing, physical comedy, and tone, as well as character development and objectives.

Middle School Drama Classes by Grade

6^th grade students will focus on character development, clown technique, mask work and classical theater.  The first part of the course is spent becoming familiar with expectations as performers and audience members through group games, improvisations and role-plays.  Students will have the opportunity to create characters using the clown technique.  They will anthropomorphize the characteristics of an animal and apply elements of timing, vocal expression, gesture and facial expression.  The final project will be to write and perform an original one-act Greek mythology play employing elements of classical theater (masks, Greek chorus, period costuming).   Students will evaluate performances in class with special attention to character development and design elements.

7^th grade students will focus on scene studies with careful attention to playing an objective and intention.  Initially, students work on improvisations in class that are based on either a given conflict (dialogue is improvised) or a given script (conflict is created by actors).  Eventually students will rehearse and perform a scene that celebrates the traditions of world theatre and explores issues around cultural diversity.  Students will be required to maintain a rehearsal script with blocking and acting directions.  In addition, they will review other performances using criteria that evaluates the effectiveness of theatrical properties and costumes.

8^th grade students will rehearse and perform (and help to adapt) an abridged version of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.  Integration with concepts from Social Studies will inform setting, mood and style.  We will be applying themes and conventions of American theater to the Elizabethan work.  This will provide opportunities to analyze and discuss production and design choices as well as inform character and objective choices for each actor.  All students will play an active role behind the scenes as well.  Eighth grade students will write a formal reflection of their own performance this year.  The expectation is that students will be off-book (meaning they have memorized dialogue and cues by October 17^th).  The play will perform the first week of November.  The schedule for rehearsals and performances is below:

8X

Thursday 11/3 Rehearsal 3:00-6:00

Saturday 11/5 Run-Thru and Performance 4:00-8:00 (show is at 7:00)

8Y

Friday 11/4 Rehearsal 3:00-6:00

Sunday 11/6 Run-Thru and Performance 4:00-8:00 (show is at 7:00)