THEATRE 1 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT "Everyone can act. If the environment permits it, anyone can learn whatever he chooses to learn. And if the individual permits it, the environment will teach him everything it has to teach. Talent or lack of talent has little to do with it." -Viola Spolin OBJECTIVE: Students will demonstrate a knowledge of basic acting skills. Students will gain awareness as to the use of these skills in their own lives, as well as how to use them on stage. Students will learn and demonstrate their knowledge through a series of Theatre games, improvisation, journal keeping, analysis, performance, and discussion. In Theatre 1, the course will cover the following areas : 1. FOCUS/CONCENTRATION: This is the foundation of learning any new skill and is especially true for the performing artist. Actors must learn to concentrate and listen in order to perfect their art. Without it, we have chaos rather than an environment of creativity. 2. ENSEMBLE: Through ensemble work, students learn how to work and problem solve together. 3. CREATIVITY: Through exercises in creativity, students will discover their creative skills and how to view experiences and behavior in a new and positive way. 4. SELF AWARENESS: Through exercises in awareness, students will become more attuned to their own self worth and how they relate to others and their environment. It is through the learning of the self that real acting can begin to take place. We must know our own feelings and reactions before we can play another's. 5. EMPATHY : Once students have become aware of their own reactions and feelings, they can begin to tune into someone else. This is the beginning of understanding what constitutes character . 6. CHARACTER: As students begin to sensitize themselves to their environment, their feelings and the feelings of others, they begin to understand what and why people do what they do. They begin to understand all that makes up character, both in themselves and others. The tools are now in place to begin building characters for stage. 7. ACT: As students learn more about human behavior, they realize that acting is an imitation of what they experience everyday. Through this growing awareness, they bring reality and dignity to those black words on a white page they find in a script and bring people to life. MATERIALS: Students should come to class everyday prepared with the following: 1. COME PREPARED WITH A DRAMA SECTION IN THEIR NOTEBOOKS FOR NOTE TAKING AND REFLECTION. 2. ALWAYS BE PREPARED WITH PEN OR PENCIL 3. BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANDY SCRIPTS OR CLASS HANDOUTS GIVEN EXPECTATIONS 1. Students should be on time, in their seats, and quiet when the bell rings. 2. Respect for themselves, classmates, instructor and anyone visiting the classroom including substitutes. Any failure to respect substitutes will result in loss of citizenship grade. 3. If absent, come and find out how to make up missed class work. This is a participation class and points will be given for participating in class activities. Student should work with instructor as to how to make up lost points. 4. Be prepared with all assignments. Come on you guys I've heard every excuse! 5. Respect for the environment we are working in whether it be the classroom or the stage. This includes all props and costumes. 6. No Gum! ! This could be a danger to you because of all the moving around that we do. GRADING All grading comes under the heading of assignments. You will be graded on: 1. Participation 2. Journal Work 3. Quizzes 4. Respect for all performers 5. Performance Drama is a wonderful and fun way for people to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them. I look forward to working with you. Leave yourself open to imagination and you will be amazed at what you will discover! Parents, please go over this disclosure with your student and sign below. Thank you! I have read over the disclosure and understand what is expected. Parent____________________________________ Student___________________________________ Parents, due to the nature of this course, students will be evaluating one another on performance. This is an important part of the process to enable students to begin to understand and analyze what constitutes good performance technique. Please sign below to allow your student to participate in oral evaluation of students. Thank you. Parent____________________________________