Theatre Arts 1
“B” Days, Block 5
PFHS Black Box
Mrs. Deker
Elizabeth.deker@lcps.org
571-434-3217
Theatre Arts 1: Welcome to the Theatre!
Course Topics (timeline determined based on student abilities)
Basic Acting: breathing/projection, ensemble building, rehearsal procedure, beginning characterization, energy/focus
Fundamentals of Production: safety, theatre spaces, personnel, basics of sets/props/lights/sound/costumes/makeup
Theatre History, Structure, & Aesthetics: ancient storytelling, types of drama, Greek tragedy (Antigone)
Judgment and Criticism: giving/accepting constructive feedback, audience behavior, performance analysis
Panther Productions Participation Requirement
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Theatre Arts 1 students are not required to participate in Panther Productions shows and events.
They are required to attend our two largest shows: the fall play Nov. 20-21 and the spring musical Apr. 21-23.
Students will be given instructions for writing a critique of each production to be submitted for a summative
grade. Each student will receive ONE complimentary ticket to these shows for this purpose.
Students who actively participate in one or both of these shows automatically fulfill this requirement and will
complete a participant review form instead of a critique.
Grading Policy
Grades will be reported in PHOENIX according to LCPS policy, with the following components:
90% : Summative Grades (written quizzes, design projects, construction projects, production participation, etc.)
10%: Formative Grades (daily rehearsal skills, “on time”*, etc.)
Comment codes in PHOENIX will be used to indicate assignments turned in, missing, or exempt.
*”On Time” is a 10 pt. formative grade associated with summative assignments, especially performance projects. To be
considered “on time,” an assignment must be turned in at the exact time and in the exact manner it is requested in class.
Later in the block or day, via a different medium (email vs. hard copy, photo evidence, etc), or incomplete work will
result in a loss of “On Time” points at teacher discretion.
Make-Up/Late Work
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Because many performance projects are based upon small groups, students who miss class time must make
arrangements to rehearse with group members during the first available P-ROAR block in the Black Box.
Please contact Mrs. Deker for work if a student will be out for two or more (2+) consecutive classes. If missing
significant class time for performance projects, an alternate assignment may be given.
ALL late work must be turned in at least 1 week before the End-of-Quarter date.
Written work should be made up within three class periods from the missed class date.
Performance projects should be made up the next day the student is present for class.
Production Participation must be made up by attending a show at another high school or at a professional
theatre and submitting a playbill/program with a detailed written critique by the end of the quarter( 2nd or 4th).
Retake/Redo Policy
Students will be provided with 2 opportunities to retake/redo written assessments per quarter. The student is responsible
for scheduling and completing a mandatory re-teaching session before the retake/redo. All retakes/redos must be
completed and turned in prior to 1 week from the End-of-Quarter date. The higher score will be entered into PHOENIX
by the end of the quarter. Due to the nature of live theatre performance and in the spirit of real-world theatre
practice, performance assignments are not eligible for retakes/redos.
Theatre Arts 2
“B” Days, Block 6
PFHS Black Box
Mrs. Deker
Elizabeth.deker@lcps.org
571-434-3217
Theatre Arts 2: Intermediate Performance and Production
Course Topics (timeline determined based on student abilities)
Intermediate Acting: emotional range, physical acting, masked acting, pantomime, improvisation
Production: theatre management, intermediate application of sets/props/lights/sound/costumes/makeup
Theatre History and Structure: Renaissance theatre, Commedia d’ell Arte, Eastern/Asian theatre
Judgment and Criticism: giving/accepting constructive feedback, audience behavior, performance analysis
Panther Productions Participation Requirement
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


Theatre Arts 2 students are required to participate in at least two Panther Productions shows and events.
This requirement may be fulfilled by acting in any type of role or by completing and documenting at least 10
hours of stage crew work per show. Mrs. Deker must sign off on crew hours documentation.
Students must submit a participant review form no later than one week after the closing date of the show.
Please remember that you are never guaranteed to be cast, and that acting is not the only way to be involved!
Grading Policy
Grades will be reported in PHOENIX according to LCPS policy, with the following components:
90% : Summative Grades (written quizzes, design projects, construction projects, production participation, etc.)
10%: Formative Grades (daily rehearsal skills, safety checks, “on time”*, etc.)
Comment codes in PHOENIX will be used to indicate assignments turned in, missing, or exempt.
*”On Time” is a 10 pt. formative grade associated with summative assignments, especially performance projects. To be
considered “on time,” an assignment must be turned in at the exact time and in the exact manner it is requested in class.
Later in the block or day, via a different medium (email vs. hard copy, photo evidence, etc), or incomplete work will
result in a loss of “On Time” points.
Make-Up/Late Work






Because many performance projects are based upon small groups, students who miss class time must make
arrangements to rehearse with group members during the first available P-ROAR block in the Black Box.
Please contact Mrs. Deker for work if a student will be out for two or more (2+) consecutive classes. If missing
significant class time for performance projects, an alternate assignment may be given.
ALL late work must be turned in at least 1 week before the End-of-Quarter date.
Written work should be made up within three class periods from the missed class date.
Performance projects should be made up the next day the student is present for class.
Production Participation must be made up by attending a show at another high school or at a professional
theatre and submitting a playbill/program with a detailed written critique by the end of the marking period
associated with the original show (2nd or 4th).
Retake/Redo Policy
Students will be provided with 2 opportunities to retake/redo written assessments per quarter. The student is responsible
for scheduling and completing a mandatory re-teaching session before the retake/redo. All retakes/redos must be
completed and turned in prior to 1 week from the End-of-Quarter date. The higher score will be entered into PHOENIX
by the end of the quarter. Due to the nature of live theatre performance and in the spirit of real-world theatre
practice, performance assignments are not eligible for retakes/redos.
Theatre Arts 3 & 4
“A” Days, Block 3
PFHS Black Box
Mrs. Deker
Elizabeth.deker@lcps.org
571-434-3217
Theatre Arts 3 & 4: Advanced Theatrical Applications
Course Topics (timeline determined based on student abilities)
Advanced Acting: various acting approaches/methods, character study, acting for the camera vs. onstage
Production: playwrighting, stage management, directing, applying tech as a director
Theatre History and Structure: Shakespeare, modern drama, student interest
Judgment and Criticism: giving/accepting constructive feedback, audience behavior, performance analysis
Panther Productions Participation Requirement
Theatre Arts 3 & 4 students will by default participate in two productions each year: the VHSL competition
play and a collection student-directed plays. Additional participation is highly encouraged, but please remember
that you are never guaranteed to be cast, and that acting is not the only way to be involved in a show.
Grading Policy
Grades will be reported in PHOENIX according to LCPS policy, with the following components:
90% : Summative Grades (written quizzes, design projects, construction projects, production participation, etc.)
10%: Formative Grades (daily rehearsal skills, safety checks, “on time”*, etc.)
Comment codes in PHOENIX will be used to indicate assignments turned in, missing, or exempt.
*”On Time” is a 10 pt. formative grade associated with summative assignments, especially performance projects. To be
considered “on time,” an assignment must be turned in at the exact time and in the exact manner it is requested in class.
Later in the block or day, via a different medium (email vs. hard copy, photo evidence, etc), or incomplete work will
result in a loss of “On Time” points.
Make-Up/Late Work






Because many performance projects are based upon small groups, students who miss class time must make
arrangements to rehearse with group members during the first available P-ROAR block in the Black Box.
Please contact Mrs. Deker for work if a student will be out for two or more (2+) consecutive classes. If missing
significant class time for performance projects, an alternate assignment may be given.
ALL late work must be turned in at least 1 week before the End-of-Quarter date.
Written work should be made up within three class periods from the missed class date.
Performance projects should be made up the next day the student is present for class.
Production Participation is non-negotiable and is built into the course. Should a student fall ill, become injured,
or otherwise miss either the VHSL performance or the student-directed production dates, make up work will be
assigned on a case-by-case basis.
Retake/Redo Policy
Students will be provided with 2 opportunities to retake/redo written assessments per quarter. The student is responsible
for scheduling and completing a mandatory re-teaching session before the retake/redo. All retakes/redos must be
completed and turned in prior to 1 week from the End-of-Quarter date. The higher score will be entered into PHOENIX
by the end of the quarter. Due to the nature of live theatre performance and in the spirit of real-world theatre
practice, performance assignments are not eligible for retakes/redos.
Technical Theatre 1
“A” Days, Block 1
PFHS Black Box
Mrs. Deker
Elizabeth.deker@lcps.org
571-434-3217
Course Framework – Subject to change based on production needs, student interest, & scheduling due to weather.
Q 1: Safety procedures, tool certification*, parts of a theatre, scenery construction, scene painting
Q 2: House management, publicity, stage crew personnel, “theatre history for techies”
REQUIRED participation in crew for Game of Tiaras – running or house crew
Q 3: Color theory for theatrical design, basic design and execution for scenery, costumes, makeup
Q 4: Lights/sound design and execution, props design and construction, additional topics tbd
REQUIRED participation in crew for student-directed production – any crew
*ALL students will be certified to use a power drill for a grade. Students may become certified on additional tools based
on skills and interests throughout the year (or as needed) for optional, additional grades.
Panther Productions Participation Requirement
Tech 1 students are required to participate in our fall production as a part of running crew or house crew unless they have
previous documented experience in an alternate capacity such as makeup or lights/sound. In the spring, students are
required to participate in at least one crew for the student-directed production. Participation in a crew for the musical is
optional and not graded, but highly encouraged!
Grading Policy
Grades will be reported in PHOENIX according to LCPS policy, with the following components:
90% : Summative Grades (written quizzes, design projects, construction projects, production participation, etc.)
10%: Formative Grades (procedure checks, daily safety checks, “on time”*, etc.)
Comment codes in PHOENIX will be used to indicate assignments turned in, missing, or exempt.
*”On Time” is a 10 pt. formative grade associated with summative assignments, especially performance projects. To be
considered “on time,” an assignment must be turned in at the exact time and in the exact manner it is requested in class.
Later in the block or day, via a different medium (email vs. hard copy, photo evidence, etc), or incomplete work will
result in a loss of “On Time” points.
Make-Up/Late Work





Because some projects may be based upon small groups, students who miss class time make arrangements to
work with group members during the first available P-ROAR block in the Black Box.
Please contact Mrs. Deker for work if a student will be out for two or more (2+) consecutive classes. If missing
significant class time for construction projects, an alternate assignment may be given.
ALL missed work should be made up within three class periods from the missed class date.
ALL late work must be turned in at least 1 week before the End-of-Quarter date.
Production Participation must be made up by submitting a detailed research paper on a teacher-designated topic
related to technical theatre by the end of the marking period associated with the original show (2nd or 4th).
Retake Policy
Students will be provided with 2 opportunities to retake/redo any summative assessment, including construction
projects, per quarter. The student is responsible for scheduling and completing a mandatory re-teaching session before the
retake/redo. Construction project redos will be given an appropriate number of days for completion before grading. All
retakes/redos must be completed and turned in prior to 1 week from the End-of-Quarter date. The higher score will be
entered into PHOENIX by the end of the quarter.
Technical Theatre 2
“A” Days, Block 2
PFHS Black Box
Mrs. Deker
Elizabeth.deker@lcps.org
571-434-3217
Course Framework
Q 1: Safety review and tool recertification, script analysis for techies, crew leadership, portfolio intro
Q 2: Production management, publicity, “acting/directing for techies,” portfolio building
REQUIRED participation in crew for Game of Tiaras
Q 3: Student-driven portfolio work, topics tbd
REQUIRED participation in crew for spring musical*
Q 4: Stage management & production design with student directed shows, portfolio finalization
REQUIRED participation in crew for spring musical* AND student-directed production
*The majority of this work will fall within the third quarter, but the final participant review will be submitted after the
production closes, 3 weeks into the fourth quarter.
Panther Productions Participation Requirement
Tech 2 students are required to participate in crews as noted above. They are especially encouraged to lead or co-lead a
crew at least once during the year.
Grading Policy
Grades will be reported in PHOENIX according to LCPS policy, with the following components:
90% : Summative Grades (written quizzes, design projects, construction projects, production participation, etc.)
10%: Formative Grades (procedure checks, daily safety checks, “on time”*, etc.)
Comment codes in PHOENIX will be used to indicate assignments turned in, missing, or exempt.
*”On Time” is a 10 pt. formative grade associated with summative assignments, especially performance projects. To be
considered “on time,” an assignment must be turned in at the exact time and in the exact manner it is requested in class.
Later in the block or day, via a different medium (email vs. hard copy, photo evidence, etc), or incomplete work will
result in a loss of “On Time” points.
Make-Up/Late Work





Because some projects may be based upon small groups, students who miss class time make arrangements to
work with group members during the first available P-ROAR block in the Black Box.
Please contact Mrs. Deker for work if a student will be out for two or more (2+) consecutive classes. If missing
significant class time for construction projects, an alternate assignment may be given.
ALL missed work should be made up within three class periods from the missed class date.
ALL late work must be turned in at least 1 week before the End-of-Quarter date.
Production Participation must be made up by submitting a detailed research paper on a teacher-designated topic
related to technical theatre by the end of the marking period associated with the original show (2nd or 4th).
Retake Policy
Students will be provided with 2 opportunities to retake/redo any summative assessment, including construction
projects, per quarter. The student is responsible for scheduling and completing a mandatory re-teaching session before the
retake/redo. Construction project redos will be given an appropriate number of days for completion before grading. All
retakes/redos must be completed and turned in prior to 1 week from the End-of-Quarter date. The higher score will be
entered into PHOENIX by the end of the quarter.