Welcome to Play Production, the purpose of which is to introduce you to the world of theatre, and to produce plays. I hope Play Production will be fun, educational and exciting for you. In this class you will be introduced to the art and craft of acting, where you will learn about character development, script analysis, theatrical terms and conventions. You will also learn about proper theatre protocol in terms of working with other actors and with the director, and appropriate behavior both as an actor, a theatre technician, and as an audience member.
We will work on your character’s relationships with the other characters; the character's objectives or motivations. We will use acting exercises such as the "Inciting Event", where you will create a scene which occurs before the play which sets up your character's situation. Other acting exercises will be the "Entrance Exercise" which is where you enter the room as the character, bringing in with you the character's experiences from the past day. The "Exit Exercise" is where you exit the room as the character, going into another space, going towards another objective, or destination. We will also borrow from the great acting masters, such as Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and of course, Constantin Stanislavski.
The class will start with some vocal, relaxation and/or acting exercises and some theatre games. Then I will work with one or two groups per class session on blocking, script analysis and character development. For each scene you do, you will create the "inciting event", the "entrance exercise" and the "exit exercise". After two or three rehearsals with me, you will then perform the scene (WHICH MUST BE MEMORIZED!) before the class, which will be taped. You will watch the tape and write a reflection on your work, following a format which will be provided for you.
During the final performance of the scene, you must have the scene memorized exactly the way it is written, you must perform the blocking and the direction as we rehearsed, and you must use props.
You are expected to keep a three-pronged light weight folder in which you are expected to keep all handouts, including this, and your scripts. You will be given a copy of your script and you are expected to BRING IT EVERY DAY! If you do not, you will receive an "F" for that day; you will be loaned a copy of your script in exchange for some collateral property (cell phone, shoe, backpack). When you return the borrowed script, your property will be returned to you. If you lose your script, then you will have to copy the script out by hand. Copies are at a premium and there is a very small quota per month to make copies.
You are expected to work on at least one of the following:
On the spring musical, HAIR SPRAY, either as a performer or as a technician, such as a member of the floor crew, light crew, prop crew or costume crew, or as the light or sound operator.
Or on the spring production of ALMOST, MAINE, which is a series of eight plays slated for performance on Thursday and Friday, April 7th and 8th in 503.
Or work on scenes in the class which you will perform in Thursday Theatre. You must perform at least two scenes this semester in Thursday Theatre. The first performance must be before March 25th, and the second performance must be before May 13th.
You are also expected to either attend the Magnet performances of ALMOST MAINE, HAIRSPRAY, and the dance show, or to tech or usher the performances.
There is NO EATING NOR DRINKING FROM CANS in class. We have had in the past a major infestation of rats and cockroaches from food left behind and sticky residue from spilled soft drinks. The custodial staff has been drastically cut and Room 503 is never swept, mopped nor cleaned, except when your teacher does it. And it's a big room.
You will be graded on your participation. You are expected to show up on time, ready to participate in all the acting and vocal exercises and theatre games at the beginning of the class, and in all of the assignments and rehearsals of the scenes. When you are not rehearsing with me, then you must be in your assigned areas rehearsing with your fellow actors. When you perform your scenes you must have your lines and blocking memorized and perform the scene to the best of your ability. Failure to do so will result in a much lower grade and perhaps failing the class.
The class will only be as good as we all make it. Please be aware that you are working with other people and that your behavior and effort will affect them, their work and their grade. Furthermore, it is imperative that we create an atmosphere of respect - respect for our fellow students, respect for the director, and respect for ourselves. Please show respect by refraining from rude comments or actions, or talking or texting during class. Please do not text during other students' scenes. Please remember that it is ILLEGAL and against district policy to record another student during school. Students can only do their best work when they feel safe and valued, so please give positive support during students' performances.
The grading scale is as follows:
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = Fail
Participation: 30%
Scene Work: 40%
Group Work: 30%
I look forward to working with you and helping you grow as a young adult, a student and as an artist.
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Student:
I have read and I understand the requirements of the class:
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Parent or Guardian:
I have read and I understand the requirements of the class:
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Tuesday, January 28th:
Tony Torissi will be here today
