Welcome to Theatre Arts!

I am excited to be facing the beginning of my twelfth year here at RMSA, and to be working with level three theatre students, level two theatre students, as well as exploratory and musical theatre students this year. My goal is for my students to grow as artists by opening their minds to new ideas and experiences and by pushing themselves to achieve their full potiential. I believe that theatre should be a process-oriented class that affords all students opportunities and experiences that will nurture their individual talents and cultivate the ensemble as well.

Please go over the following course requirements, class procedures, and grading policies with your child. You will find a short supply list along with a "consumables wish list" of materials on this website. Please take a look at these lists as well. I've also included a page entitled "prop us up," which will contain an updated list of props, costumes, and/or set pieces we need for upcoming plays. After reading through and discussing the following information with your child, please return the hard-copy signature page that will be coming home with your child on the first day of school.

If you have any questions or need to contact me for any reason, I am easiest to reach through email, which you can access through this site.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations

By its very nature, a theatre arts classroom provides a certain amount of freedom to students that a traditional classroom setting might not allow. Still, I believe that in order to learn and grow as artists, members of each class must behave appropriately in the classroom. Expectations for behavior will be discussed with the students and posted in the classroom. The general rules that have been established school-wide are:

1. Be responsible.

2. Be resourceful.

3. Be respectful.

4. Be safe.

The students and I will work together the during the first week of school to discuss how each of these rules applies to a theatre classroom, and to create a "bill of rights" tailored specifically to each class.

Failure to respect the bill of rights may result in:

1. Loss of privileges

2. Parent contact/conference

3. Referral to the office

Rewards for respecting the bill of rights include:

1. Increased privileges/recognition among peers

2. Positive parent contact

4. Success within the ensemble and feelings of pride and accomplishment

Daily Routines

Students should enter class in an orderly fashion and check the board for instructions/introductory assignment.

They should be ready to work (or already working) within two minutes of arriving in class.

Students should have all necessary materials with them for class.

Students should turn in assignments on time.

Students should be responsible for obtaining and making up any assignments that were missed due to absence or tardiness.

Students should return class materials to their appropriate places before the end of the period.

Students should follow the ensemble's "bill of rights."

Requirements/Assessment of Student Progress

• Student progress is assessed through tests, quizzes, performances, journals, projects, self-reflection, peer-evaluation, and class participation.
• Quiz grades, projects, journals, rehearsal, and performance grades are recorded in the gradebook. Completed rubrics are kept on file as a record of student progress. Class participation rubrics are completed weekly (teacher and/or self-eval) and averaged to determine quarter participation grades.
• Since theatre arts is an ensemble based class, participation and cooperation in all activities is essential; therefore, class participation makes up 25% of each student's overall quarter grade. The other 75% is determined by journals and quizzes (25%) and performances and projects (50%).
• Theatre students are expected to attend all performances and scheduled after-school rehearsals or to provide prior written notice two weeks in advance of a scheduled performance (or two days in advance of a scheduled rehearsal). A missed performance without prior notification will prevent the student from receiving over 60% of allowable points on the performance rubric.
• Absences: It is the student's responsibility to complete missing assignments. Information concerning missed assignments can be obtained from the "WYWO" folder. If a student is absent on a test date, it is his/her responsibility to arrange a make-up test date. Make-up tests will be given during recess time or before or after school. The student will have one week from the time of his/her return to make up a test. Failure to make up missed work within the alloted time will result in a zero in the gradebook
• Late work: A penalty of 10 points per school day will be deducted from the grade for late projects/assignments, excluding excused absences.
• Students desiring extra credit may search the "BOOST" folder in the classroom, select, and complete assignments (totaling up to no more than 100 e.c. points averaged into their journal/quiz average per quarter). Students must turn in all extra credit assignments no later than one full week before grades are due each quarter.