Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Semester Exam: Given Circumstances


Name:______________________________

GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES WORKSHEET

Play:____________________________________

Character:____________________________________


BE SPECIFIC.  ONE WORD AND ONE SENTENCE ANSWERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

1. What do I know about my character?: (Name, Age, Family Unit, Social Class)




2. Where am I? (America, Canada, City, Small Town)





3. What is my specific location? (House, playground, Department Store)





4. What year is it? Is the year significant?




5. What relationships do I have? (Describe them)




6. Who are you talking to?  What is your relationship to that character?




7. What do you want?



8. Why do you want it?





9. How will you get it?





10. Why do you want it now?





11. What will happen if you don’t get it?





12. What will happen if you don’t get it now?





13. What is in your way?





14. What must you overcome?

Monday, December 12, 2011

Creating Believable Characters: SUMMATIVE

 CREATING BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS


DIRECTIONS:  Use this character analysis sheet to create believable characteristics for the character in your monologue.  You will have to create the information based on what you do know about the character.  Be specific!  Please write in full sentences as much as possible.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
1.  Name

2.  Birthdate

3.  Birthplace

4.  Age

5.  Family status

6.  Education

7.  Economic status: growing up and now



8.  Where do they live:  city, apartment/house, etc.

9.  Occupation

10.  Physical Appearance:  how different from your own (actor)





PERSONALITY:
1.  5 adjectives to describe personality




2.  Hobbies


3.  3 goals in life


4.  Strengths/Weaknesses



5.  Major influences in their life: past and present



6.  Clothing Style


7.  Major relationships in life


8.  What is the relationship to the “other person”/Silent Partner in the monologue?


 9. How do you feel about this person (past and present)?



EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
1.  Usual positive/negative emotions




2.  How does character normally react to tense, happy, sad, etc. situations?





3.  States of emotion in monologue: beginning, middle, end




4.  Mental state of mind



PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
1.  Habitual gestures/facial expressions



2.  Posture (how do they stand) and movement (how do they walk)



3.  Vocal characteristics (talk fast/slow, high/low, nasally?, etc.)


4.  Health


5.  How will you physicalize your emotions as this character?





Monday, November 14, 2011

This Week in Theater IV: 11/14 - 11/18

Monday 11/14: Rehearsal for "Cask" and "Charlotte."  Bring in costume pieces.


Tuesday 11/15: Rehearsal for "Cask" and "Charlotte."  Bring in costume pieces.


Wednesday 11/16: Tech for "Cask."  Rehearsal for "Charlotte."


Thursday 11/17: Final tech for "Cask."  Rehearsal for "Charlotte."


Friday 11/18: ALL DAY PERFORMANCES OF "THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO" in auditorium!  Be prompt - arrive no later than 8:20am.


Field trip on Tuesday, November 22!  Don't forget media releases and permission slips.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Cask of Amontillado: Reading for Characters and Plot

10/7 - Read "Cask."  Discuss characters/plot/literary devices.
10/10 - Finish "Cask" and dicussion.
10/11-10/12 - Read and discuss "Charlotte's Web."
10/13 - Review of "Charlotte's Web" and "Cask."
10/14 - Plot/character quiz on both plays.

Download and re-read the CASK OF AMONTILLADO short story by clicking on this link!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

This week in Theater IV: 10/3 - 10/7

10/3 - 10/4: Peer editing on Reflection Papers.


10/5 - 10/7: Script reading for November performances.

Please note performance dates for Nov. (Nov 18 & Nov 22)!

REFLECTION PAPERS ARE DUE 10/7 AT THE START OF CLASS!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Observation Paper: Due Dec 16


Theater III/IV (Yanchak/Lyssy)
Observation Paper (SUMMATIVE)

Guidelines:
·      Observation papers require you to attend a theatrical production AS AN AUDIENCE MEMBER. 
(Shows that you perform a role or function in – whether acting or technical – do not count.  See us if you have questions or concerns about this.)
·      You must stay for the ENTIRE performance.
·      Take notes on the performance at intermission (if there is one) or immediately following the performance.  Do not write during the performance!!!
·      The PROGRAM and/or TICKET STUB for the show MUST be stapled to your observation paper.  Don’t forget to get a program!
---
This paper is about your experience as an audience member.  Write about what happens from START to finish. 

Guiding questions that must be answered in as much detail as possible:

1. Explain the atmosphere of the front of house.  Who sold your ticket?  Was there a box office?  Ushers?  Any concessions (t-shirts, candy, soda, etc)?  Write about your first impression of the theater upon walking in. (10%)

2. Describe the atmosphere of the theater itself.  How big was it?  What kind of stage (proscenium, thrust, arena)?  Describe any technical elements that helped you to know the show was about to begin.  How did the audience respond to them? (10%)

3. Describe the show.  Give a brief description of the plot and characters.  Could you follow the story line?  Why or why not?  Did anything specifically catch your interest?  What was it?  Was there anything in the show that you wondered about – how something was accomplished on stage (costume changes, props, set)?  What was interesting about the actors’ performances?  Were they believable?  Why or why not? (20%)

4. Take a look at the audience.  Who came to see the show?  Describe the audience demographic.  How old are they?  Are there families?  Couples?  Older?  Younger? (10%)

5. Describe anything else that you find interesting about the theater, the show (technical or acting), or your experience as an audience member. (20%)

Above all, OBSERVE EVERYTHING!!!

Paper requirements:

·      Must be 3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced.  No more than 1” margins.  10-12 point font. (10%)
·      Must be titled. (10%)
·      Must include answers/descriptions that correspond to all of the 5 guiding questions. (see above list)
·      Show program must be stapled to the final observation paper. (10%)
·      Paper is due no later than __________. Papers may be turned in as soon as they are completed.  DO NOT PUT THIS OFF UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!

POSSIBLE PERFORMANCES FOR OBSERVATION
These are not the only shows!  Check out the web and do some research for others!


ELLISON HIGH SCHOOL
Night of the Living Dead – 7:00pm - October 20, 21, & 22 ($3)
CSI: Improv Show – Dec 2 – 7pm (donations accepted)

KILLEEN HIGH SCHOOL
Website:
Dracula – October 27 & 29
Advanced Theater Scene Show – Dec 1-2

SHOEMAKER HIGH SCHOOL
Website:
You Can’t Beat the House – October 27-28
Winter Shows – December 9-10 and January 13-14 (All Student Tickets - $3)

HARKER HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Website:
October 7th - 6:30 pm - HIT Improv show ($3.00)
November 4th, 5th and 6th  - 7:00 pm - SPOOFALOT  (at least three non-perishable food items)
December 3rd all day (starting time TBD) Senior Directed plays (free)

TEMPLE HIGH SCHOOL
Putnam County Spelling Bee: Thursday-Friday-Saturday, September 22-23-24 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 2 p.m.-- Tickets $8 in advance, $10 at the door
Elvis People: Thursday-Saturday, October 6-8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 9, at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $7 in advance, $10 at the door (limited availability)
Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play: Thursday-Saturday, November 10-12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets $7 in advance, $10 at the door

COPPERAS COVE HIGH SCHOOL

TEMPLE CIVIC THEATRE
(254) 778-4751

SALADO SILVER SPUR THEATER
Salado, TX

VIVE LES ARTS
Killeen, Tx

BELTON HIGH SCHOOL
Website: www.bisd.net
Check website for upcoming performances or contact by phone.

Reflection Paper Guidelines: Due Mon, Oct 3


Theater III/IV (Yanchak/Lyssy)                                                            Due: Monday, October 3
Two Islands: Reflection Paper
SUMMATIVE – 100%

Objective: Students will provide evidence that they understand and can synthesize and reflect upon the concepts and principles of Creative Drama used throughout the “Two Islands” project.

Directions:  Students will produce a well-written and thought-out response to important guiding questions.  Theater III students must choose to fully answer two (2) of the Guiding Questions listed below.  Theater IV students must choose to fully answer three (3) of the Guiding Questions listed below.  Students should refrain from making generalizations about the experience, but instead focus on their own personal experience.  Students should also refrain from making judgments regarding other students involved in the experience. 

Format: Reflection papers must be typed (10-12 pt “plain” font), double-spaced with margins no greater than 1”.  Students should give their paper a title.  Due to the amount of detail and thought required for each response, we expect papers to be approximately 2 pages in length.   For more detail, please see “FORMAT” in rubric below.

Grading: Students will be graded using the rubric below.

20% FORMAT
Proper format includes: the student’s name, class period, title, correct font/size, correct margins. (4% each)
20% CLARITY
Are your ideas and reflections clear and understandable to the reader?  This includes things like spelling, punctuation, coherent sentence structure, paragraph structure (main idea, supporting details, closing and/or transition sentences). (5% each)
THEATER III:
30% each TOPIC/GUIDING QUESTION ADDRESSED
Fully answer two of the guiding questions below.  Make sure to use examples from the project/process to help you describe and analyze your experiences.  Detail, detail, detail!  Examples, examples, examples!
THEATER IV:
20% each TOPIC/GUIDING QUESTION ADDRESSED
Fully answer three of the guiding questions below.  Make sure to use examples from the project/process to help you describe and analyze your experiences.  Detail, detail, detail!  Examples, examples, examples!

Guiding Questions:

·      What have you learned about yourself through this project?  What parts of the process helped you to learn those things?
·      Reflect upon the plot of the story used throughout the project.  What events stand out in your mind?  Why?
·      Throughout this project you have worked in small and large groups.  What strengths and weaknesses do you believe you have in regards to group collaboration?  What parts of the process helped you to realize those strengths/weaknesses?
·      What skills have you learned that you might use in children’s theater and/or working with children from this project? 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Creative Drama: Day One

In your notes today...
Creative Drama is:
- improvisational
- non-exhibitional
- process-centered

We discussed the meaning of the above terms (use your brain!) and began a creative drama in class centered on the story "Two Islands" by  Gantschev Iran. The excerpt read in today's class is below:

Once there were two islands, Greenel and Graynel. They sat in the middle of the ocean with a wide stretch of deep water between them. The very first people who came to the island of Greenel found a peaceful place with tall green trees and dark, fertile soil.

Their leaders said, "Since we are here in the middle of the ocean, and our island is only so big and no bigger, we will all have to work very hard to tend it and keep it as lovely as it is today. If we are careful and wise we will be able to grow our own food and learn to make the other things we need to be happy and comfortable.'
" And down through the years, that is the way it was on Greenel.

Life was simple and it moved at the pace of the sun and the moon and the changing seasons.

 The first people who ever came to Graynel found an island very similar to Greenel - quiet and green and lovely. But their leaders said, "Since our new land is here in ocean and is only so big and no bigger, we will have to work very hard if we are to keep up with the rest of the world. We will have to build ships and factories and use all of our land very wisely or we will never be able to make and buy all the things we want.'
"

There were changes on Graynel, big changes. Even though the island was small, it kept up with the world, and life on Graynel moved at the pace of the shipping timetables, the factory clocks and the traffic lights.

 Life on Graynel became very complicated. There were so many factories to run, so many clocks to keep set on the same time, and so many highways to build, that the people of Graynel decided they needed someone who could take charge of the whole island.



And so they elected Gordon D. Warden to be The Boss. He promised that if he were The Boss then Graynel would he the best and the richest and the busiest and the most famous little island in all the world. He also promised that there would be jobs and cars and money and plenty of everything for everyone.



What he said was true. In a very short time there were so many more factories built that almost everyone had two jobs. The people had so much money to spend that everyone had at least one car, and they had so much money left over to save that there were more banks than there were gas stations. The citizens of Graynel were so pleased with all this progress that statues honouring Gordon D. Warden popped up all over the island.



Because all the land was needed for building and factories and highways, the whole island seemed like one big city. Where there used to be fields and forests, there were only a few tiny parks, just big enough for one or two people to visit at a time.



In your journal: Which island would you most like to be a part of?  Why?

Monday, August 29, 2011

Intro to Children's Theater: Fears & Expectations

Today in class we completed our Personal Timelines.  If you did not complete your Timeline, make sure that it is complete and IN YOUR CLASS BINDER by Friday, September 2.  Ms. Lyssy and Ms. Yanchak will be checking these at random next week.

Also, we answered the following questions on index cards to add to our class Time Capsule:

1) What is your biggest fear NOW?
2) What was your biggest fear as a child?
3) What do you hope children in our audience will learn from you and your experiences?

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Welcome to Ellison Theater Arts 2011-2012!


Welcome to Ellison Theater Arts!

Theater at Ellison in 2011-2012 is going to be pretty exciting.  I'm glad you're along for the ride.  Students/parents, this is the place to find updates on notes, class assignments, projects, performances... You name it; if it has to do with your Theater Arts class, it's here. 

Here are just a couple of reminders to start the year off right:

Collaboration is key!!!
Students who have chosen to attend this class should be advised that this class requires energy, participation, and a positive attitude.  This is a collaborative, performance-based class – and my classes will hear me state that again and again – and will be graded as such.  In order to pass, students must be willing to try new things and will be expected to work in collaboration with their classmates on a daily basis.
 
Participation is important!!!
Just showing up for class and taking your seat is not enough. This class will require “active participation.”   “Active participation” means:

            - Proper audience etiquette each day*
            - Volunteering for scene work and activities.
            - Group work and collaboration on class projects.
            - Being prepared for class with all materials and assignments.
            - Above all, giving everything a TRY and reflecting on each experience.

*Be warned!  Proper audience etiquette will be taught and EMPHASIZED at all times.  Becoming a good audience member is a crucial part of theater studies.  You are a member of an audience EACH DAY that you attend class.  Participation/audience etiquette grades are tallied at the end of the week to be entered into the gradebook.  (10 points per day = 50 points possible per week)
 

Class Expectations
1. Bring all required materials and supplies to class everyday. Often scripts/scenework for class must be memorized – in this class, your MEMORY and BRAIN count as materials.
2. Be in your seat and ready to work as soon as the tardy bell rings.
3. Follow all instructions THE FIRST TIME they are given.
4. Respect all human beings and their property.
5. Observe all rules listed in the EHS Student Handbook and KISD Code of Conduct.

Consequences
Students who choose not to follow the rules will be subject to discipline as follows:
First offense: Verbal warning/Sign D-Log
Second/Third offense: D-Hall (8:15-8:35am OR 4:15-4:35pm).
Fourth offense: Parent contact/conference
Fifth offense: Office referral


Student behavior that endangers the safety of any human being or which disrupts teaching and learning will result in immediate referral to the principal’s office.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Musical Theater History review sheet

Here's a webpage that will help you review Musical Theater history (First 50 years).

You can print it out, or just use it as a "pre-quiz."

Broadway musicals - Parts 1, 2, and 3

Here's the finished PPT that includes information on the musical theater project.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Headshots

You chose your headshots today! Expect copies of your headshots within 2 weeks. If you are going to use these for audition purposes, please have them professionally copied with your resumes on the reverse side.

Good work all!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Children's Theater

Production work and rehearsal for upcoming trip to Clifton Park - "Ride of Your Life."  MEMORIZE LINES!!!