Dominion High School - Theatre Arts IV
Teacher Contact Information: Mrs. Amy Young, amy.young@lcps.org
(571)434-4400
21326 Augusta Drive, Sterling, VA 20164
Website information on dominionhigh.com, link to Faculty, then to Mrs. Young
Course Description: Theatre Arts IV is designed for students with intense interest in theater arts at
professional and/or collegiate levels. Theatre IV students will complete independent projects specifically
suited to individual strengths. Students will put theory into practice through major projects in directing,
acting, and theater design. Students are expected to take part in leadership in the DHS Theatre
department and in the International Thespian Society, to participate in technical support or performance in
DHS productions, and to be self-motivated to complete academic and extra-curricular projects
independently. Theatre IV will be entering the Virginia One-Act Competition, as well as presenting a
children's play to our feeder elementary schools.
Students will be required to log 15 hours per quarter of work in support of DHS productions and Coffee
Houses, which apply as points earned for the International Thespian Society.
Course Objectives:
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To further the development of acting skills and styles, and technical arts
To further the students skills and techniques used in design elements
To engage students in a directing project so as to develop the skills and responsibilities of the
director and all elements of production
To provide students the opportunity to formulate their own working styles and techniques in
performance and technical theatre
Preparation for collegiate or professional theatre
Course Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Theatre I, II & III – or recommendation of director.
Senior status is advised, but not required.
Classroom Expectations: All students are to be in the classroom before the final bell rings ready to
participate in class activities and instruction.
It looks like this: As you walk in, dispose of any gum, food, or drinks, take your folder and notebook out of
the filing cabinet, and begin in your seat quietly working on the bell ringer.
Students will abide by the Dominion High School code of rules and responsibilities and dress code. You
should dress appropriately to be able to move comfortably in class (no short skirts, thin strapped tops, or
revealing clothing, avoid flip flops).
Work on outside homework is not permitted while our class is in progress.
Bathroom Breaks:
Students must be in class for the first and last 10 minutes of class – no exceptions. Bathroom passes will
only be granted 4 per quarter, so use them wisely. Nurse’s passes must be approved by Mrs. Young in
writing, with the time signed by the nurse upon arriving and leaving her office.
Classroom Rules:
1. arrive to class on time by the bell
2. bring any necessary materials (script, sneakers, pencil)
3. complete homework (memorization, projects)
4. respect one another and one another’s creativity, process, and property
5. listen to and respond appropriately to me and each other
6. follow directions and accept responsibility for actions
7. use class and rehearsal time wisely – points are deducted daily for misuse of time (remain on task
and encourage others to remain on task)
8. demonstrate positive character traits: honesty, kindness, patience, hard-working, thorough,
trustworthy, caring for others
9. clean up around the classroom before the end of class whether the mess is yours or not (pick up
trash, return seats and supplies to their locations)
10. Mrs. Young is a neat freak, you must live within the neat freak guidelines! 
No gum, no abusive or inappropriate language or conduct, no disrespectful behavior.
Supplies: loose-leaf paper, bring pencil, dark ink pen, and good attitude!
Work: participation 50%, projects 50%
Additional Information Missed Work: All students are accountable for obtaining missed assignments. In the
event a student is absent from school and misses an assignment, consult the box for students who have
missed class. There will be the activities for any student missing for that day, copies of handouts, etc. It is
the student’s responsibility to get this information.
Curriculum (this can be adapted with an emphasis on individual projects based on the student’s interests,
including house and stage management, technical, or performance projects submitted for my approval)
1st quarter: reader’s theatre presentation, read, analyze one-act plays, pick & rehearse one act for
competition, support/participate in Coffee House/Improv, research and analyze directing scenes or one-act
play for final presentation to include technical elements. Read Audition by Michael Shurtleff.
2nd quarter: prepare for One-Act Competition, write and rehearse Children’s Theatre scene, playwright
analysis & presentation, develop prompt book, rehearse & present directing scene with advanced
technical elements
Mid Term Exam: contemporary advanced acting scene or write autobiographical monologue from written
biographies of real people in history/culture
3rd quarter: director analysis & presentation, present children’s theatre scene at feeder elementary school,
develop prompt book – research biography of a person in history, write an autobiographical monologue,
create and perform a one-person performance using 4 scenes, support DHS production
4th quarter: continue to research, read, write, rehearse, and perform monologue scenes to be used in the
one-person performance, support DHS production, research & rehearse advanced contemporary acting
scenes(in depth Stanislavski approach), support DHS production
Final Exam: Scene Presentation