CLASS INFORMATION:
OVERVIEW OF COURSE:
North Penn High School
DRAMA MAJOR
2015-2016
Mrs. Roney
E-mail: roneya@npenn.org
NPHS Phone: (215) 853-1294
Web Page: www.npenn.org / NPHS / Teachers WebPages / Roney, Andrea
Students will explore the historical background leading to the beginning of Modern American
Drama and the American Voice in World Drama while developing the skills of writing a professional resume; demonstrating effective auditioning and presenting techniques; using
Aristotle’s criteria for drama from
The Poetics ; applying acting or design and analysis techniques of The Practical Handbook for the Actor and The Dramatic Imagination or other text(s); presenting readings, scenes, monologues or designs of sections of plays or plays from classical (Shakespeare) and/or American contemporary plays in different genres (comedy and tragedy); demonstrating play, scene, and character/design analysis including but not limited to
Given Circumstances & Dramaturgy; researching historical time periods, plays and/or character/designs; demonstrating vocal and physical development and presentation; personal and peer critiquing in written and oral evaluations; analyzing and critiquing selected films and acting performances or designs; keeping a Creative Journal; writing synthesis papers of work as required; assembling, creating, and presenting group or personal projects and/or portfolios in either written or digital formats.
1 st
& 2 nd
Marking Periods:

Resume Writing and Audition Techniques

Demonstration of Physical and Vocal exercises and warm-ups
 Exploration of Aristotle’s
Poetics and Greek Theatre’s influence on American drama

Exploration of character creation and design development from A Practical Handbook for the
Actor and The Dramatic Imagination

Rehearsal techniques and explorations

History of American Voice in World Drama Group Projects of Analysis and Dramaturgy up to
Eugene O’Neill

Selection and Prepared Readings or Production Meetings of Modern American and Classical
(Shakespeare) Monologues/Scenes/Songs and/or Design Projects

Play, Scene, and Character/Design script, play and playwright, and historical analysis/dramaturgy

Demonstration of critical responses and skills

Film and Periodical Articles or Theatre Books analysis and critiques with writing and reading prompts or synthesis response papers as required

Group and Personal written and/or digital projects

Beginning of Personal Portfolio in written or digital form

One - Two Common Assessments

Other work as developed in class or by the teacher/class
Drama Major Information – 2015-2016

3 rd
& 4th Marking Periods:

Continuation of work from 1 st
and 2 nd
Marking Periods and demonstration of skills learned.

Building on knowledge from 1 st
and 2 nd
Marking Periods to advance personal/group work.

Continued Play, Scene, and Character/Design analysis and dramaturgy

Dress Rehearsal and Final Presentations and Critiques of Monologues/Scenes/Songs and/or
Design Projects
 Eugene O’Neill and analysis/dramaturgy of
A Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Timeline of American Theatre History since Eugene O’Neill
 Class reading and projects on Kauffman and Hart’s
The Man Who Came to Dinner

Group and/or personal projects on American Theatre History, American Playwrights, and /or
American Theatre artists in written or digital format since Eugene O’Neill

Demonstration of critical responses and skills for projects and additional readings or character/desgin work

Film and Periodical Articles or Theatre Books analysis and critiques with writing and reading prompts or synthesis response papers as required

Completion of Personal Portfolio

One to Two Common Assessments which may include one take home exam processing all work from class

Other work as developed by teacher/class
EXPECTATIONS: Work must be completed and submitted on assigned due date or grade will drop as per Grading Policy

Class Participation

Journaling and Writing/Project assignments

Completion of all assigned classwork, homework, and projects

Performances of Monologues, Scene(s) or Presentation of Design Projects

*Creation and Presentation of a Personal Portfolio

Common Assessments
* Personal Portfolios in conjunction with Creative Journals are to chronicle all work from the class from 1 st through 4 th
marking periods to show progression in development as a theatre creator in the areas of acting and acting techniques or technical theatre and design; criticism, analysis, and dramaturgy; American theatre history and dramas; and synthesis of reading materials and experiences to apply to your personal creative process.
Personal Portfolios in written or digital form may also be submitted as graduation projects by the Class of 2016 if student signs up in the 1 st
marking period or upon entering the class during the school year.
Drama Major Information – 2015-2016