Freedom High School DRAMA IV Handbook
Instructor Information:
Director: Mrs. Portch
Hours: 8:45 AM – 4:15 PM
Office: 802C
PH: (703) 957- 4305
School Address: 25450 Riding Center Dr.
South Riding, Virginia 20152
Course Description:
Drama IV is designed for students with intense interest in theater arts at professional
and/or collegiate levels. Drama IV students will complete independent projects specifically suited
to individual strengths.
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 introduce students to the skills and responsibilities of the director and carry out larger
directing projects
To provide students the opportunity to formulate their own working styles and techniques
in performance and technical theatre to better assist in course selection
To use research as a tool for working on period pieces
Course Prerequisites:
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Enrollment / Satisfactory completion of Drama I, II & III – or recommendation of director.
Senior status is advised, but not required.
Classroom Expectations:
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All students are to be in the classroom before the final bell rings ready to participate in class
activities and instruction. This mean:
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All assignments are due at the beginning of class in the upper tray.
All gum is disposed of properly upon entering.
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The first five minutes of each class period is devoted to the warm-up exercise listed on the
board. Students will be asked to lead physical and vocal warm-ups from time to time and
should consider both a vocal and a physical warm-up.
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Food and Drink (other than water bottles) are not permitted in the classroom, and will be
disposed of if not put away before the bell rings.
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All students must have their theatre notebook and other drama materials on a daily basis.
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Students will abide by the Freedom High School code of rules and responsibilities.
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Work on outside homework is not permitted while our class is in progress.
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During class, please keep these things in mind:
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Theatre is quizzical by nature – ASK QUESTIONS.
Speaking for any period of time wears at your throat and vocal cords. Stay
hydrated by drinking lots of water. A water fountain is located in the classroom,
but it is recommended that you bring a water bottle to have at your seat.
Your agenda contains the hall passes to the bathroom, nurse, locker, etc. Please
use your best judgment in using this pass. Miss use will result in the director’s
right to deny the student’s request. The agenda should be filled out completely
prior to asking for the director’s signature on the pass.
If you come to school ill or unable to participate in the class activities, please notify
the director BEFORE class begins. You are still responsible for the material
covered that day and expected to participate to the best of their ability by following
along with the group.
Please be courteous of your classmates. Do not talk and cause disruptions during
presentations or performances, as it will detract from the learning process.
Constructive criticism is learning tool for all parties involved. Look for opportunities
to share constructively and assist your peers. This is a safe environment where
you should never feel scared of sharing.
If you are having problems with the material please let the director know so that
the issue can be resolved. Odds are that you are not the only one struggling with
that particular issue.
As you have signed the class social contract, please remember what you agreed
to do and behave in a manner that is fitting your agreement.
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At the end of rehearsal the room and materials need to be returned to their proper location.
The director will collect all items that are not returned properly, and participation points will be
deducted from the next class period.
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All students are to remain in the classroom until the bell rings and the director dismisses you
from class.
Grading:
Grading Scale:
98 – 100% = A+
93 – 97 % = A
90 – 92 % = B+
85 – 89 % = B
82 – 84 % = C+
77 – 81 % = C
74 – 76 % = D+
70 – 73 % = D
69 % and below = F
Students will be assessed according to the Syllabus attached.
SYLLABUS
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL
DRAMA IV
LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
1 Day Late – 10 Points Off
2 Days Late – 20 Points Off
3 Days Late – 30 Points Off
After 3 Days Late – You May Not Turn In Assignment For Credit
UNIT I: CHEKOV (PERIOD ONE-ACT)
Participation - 20%
Student’s participation grade is based on the following criteria:
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Students come to class on time, PREPARED for the class. (Refer to expectations)
Students have a positive attitude
Participation in class discussions and rehearsals
All supplies are correctly stored and cared for.
Permission slips and forms are turned in on time.
Additional rehearsal attendance if needed
Homework and Classwork - 10%
Quiz on Chekov – 15%
Monologue Draft (Technical Theater will have to have an addition to their portfolio – Set
Design Rendering, Costume Rendering, or Lighting Plot) – 20%
(3) College Choices with Reasoning For Choice – 15%
Independent Project – 20% (Student has chosen an individual area of study that they will need to
have completed an assignment for)
11/2/06 End of 1st Quarter
UNIT II: SHOWCASE
Participation - 20%
Student’s participation grade is based on the following criteria:
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Students come to class on time, PREPARED for the class. (Refer to expectations)
Students have a positive attitude
Participation in class discussions and rehearsals
All supplies are correctly stored and cared for.
Permission slips and forms are turned in on time.
Additional rehearsal attendance if needed
Homework and Classwork - 10%
Audition Package – 20%
Character Analysis – 10% (On character from One-Act)
Independent Project – 20% (Student has chosen an individual area of study that they will need to
have completed an assignment for)
Mid-Term Exam – 20%
ONE ACT PERFORMANCES FOR DRAMA IV – DECEMBER 11, 2007 AT 7:30 PM
SHOWCASE FOR DRAMA IV – DECEMBER 18, 2007 AT 7:30 PM
1/24/07 End of 2nd Quarter
UNIT III: PERIOD PIECE – FULL PLAY PRODUCTION
Participation - 20%
Student’s participation grade is based on the following criteria:
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Students come to class on time, PREPARED for the class. (Refer to expectations)
Students have a positive attitude
Participation in class discussions and rehearsals
All supplies are correctly stored and cared for.
Permission slips and forms are turned in on time.
Additional rehearsal attendance if needed
Homework and Classwork - 10%
Set Design (Group) – 10%
Costume Rendering (Individual) – 10%
Quiz on Playwright of Production – 10% (Students will choose the period piece that they will
perform and study the playwright)
Quiz on Life & Times of Era of Production – 10% (Students will choose the period piece that
they will perform and study the life of the characters within that time period)
Independent Project – 20% (Student has chosen an individual area of study that they will need to
have completed an assignment for)
Presentation – 10% (Students will present on one aspect of the time period such as: other
playwrights of the period, politics, music, entertainment, career opportunities, major historical
events, world influences, and major inventions)
4/10/07 End of 3rd Quarter
UNIT IV: STAGE COMBAT & OTHER THEATRICAL PERIODS
Participation - 20%
Student’s participation grade is based on the following criteria:
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Students come to class on time, PREPARED for the class. (Refer to expectations)
Students have a positive attitude
Participation in class discussions and rehearsals
All supplies are correctly stored and cared for.
Permission slips and forms are turned in on time.
Additional rehearsal attendance if needed
Homework and Classwork - 10%
Character Analysis – 20% (Major written work on Character Analysis)
Performance – 10%
Independent Project – 20% (Student has chosen an individual area of study that they will need to
have completed an assignment for)
FINAL EXAM – 20%
CLASSICS IN THE PARK PERFORMANCE – MAY 17th & 18th, 2007 AT 1:00 PM
6/17/07 End of 4th Quarter
Flex period
Flex period is designed for additional assistance with classroom material. We will be using flex
period from time to time for additional rehearsals and study times. New Material will not be
covered during flex. If a rehearsal or study session is schedule it is required as part of the
participation grade. In addition, if you are missing any assignments for this class, you will not be
permitted to flex to any other activities or classes.
When we do not hold a rehearsal during the flex period, students are required to bring something
to work on, or the director will find something for that student to do.
Materials
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A three ring binder (preferably a 1 inch binder)
A notebook
Writing utensils
A folder with pockets
A positive attitude and a willingness to try new things and get involved
Textbooks
Students will not be issued textbooks for the year. We will be working out of a number of different
sources, which will be checked out as needed to the students. Students are allowed to use the
textbooks at any time while in class. Textbooks may only leave the classroom if they have been
checked out. Scripts and other theatrical works may also be checked out from the FHS drama
library. Please see your director for further information on this.
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.
Drama Council:
This is a student elected council from the Drama Club that will assist with establishing the drama
program at Freedom High School. The council will have such responsibilities that include, but are
not limited to:
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Working with the Fine Arts Booster Organization
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Formulating recruitment ideas
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Assisting in the building of group unity
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All special events involving the drama
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Thespian Society
Serving in the Drama Council during the 2006-2007 school year:
President – Shawonn Smith
Vice President – Tara Lemieux
Secretary – Nathan Didomenico
Historian – Brittany Klein
If you are interested in serving as a representative for your drama class please contact your
director for the application. You can also get involved by joining the drama club.
Productions given by Drama Classes in the Black Box (Tentative Dates):
One Acts (Drama III & IV) – December 11, 2007
Drama IV Showcase – December 18, 2007
Drama III Children’s Show – April 1, 2008
Drama II Directing Scenes – June 4, 2008
Drama I Plays (Written and Performed by students) – June 10, 2008
Additional Performing Experiences:
The Main Stage Productions for the FHS Drama Department are:
To Kill a Mockingbird – October 25-27, 2007
Kiss Me Kate – February 21-24, 2008
Curse You, Jack Dalton w/ Vaudeville Review – May 1-3, 2008
If you are interested in participating in the upcoming events, please see the director or check the
drama callboard for audition information. School productions will be open auditions for the entire
school. Being cast or crew in the show is a privilege and as such all students involved are
expected to follow the Freedom High School extra-curricular and sports academic policy. Students
are to be enrolled in no fewer than five classes, and receive passing grades in all of their classes.
Failure to obtain a passing grade will result in suspension from the production until grades have
improved.
Educational Theatre Association:
Students will have the opportunity to join in the educational theatre association known as the
Thespian Society. This is a national theatre organization designed to help further the education
and exposure for theatre students to the professional world. There is a one-time membership fee
required to join this organization. Sufficient points for membership are usually achieved by the end
of freshman year, making sophomores the induction class. This year, Thespian Society will be
taking a trip to New York City over President’s Weekend.
INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY POINT SYSTEM
Item
One Act
Full Length
Acting
Major role
Minor role
Walk-on
Chorus
Dancer
Understudy
Production
Stage manager
Stage crew
Lighting tech.
Lighting crew
Item
One Act
Full Length
Writing
8
6
2
2
2
2
16
10
4
6
6
4
8
4
6
4
Set construction 6
Costumer
6
Costume crew 4
Props manag. 6
Props crew
4
Sound tech.
6
Sound crew
4
Video crew
3
Makeup
6
Musicians
4
Business
Publicity crew 4
Ticket manager 4
Ticket crew
2
House manag. 4
Concessions
2
Ushers
2
Directing
Director
8
A. Director
6
Choreographer 8
Assist. Choreo. 6
16
8
12
6
10
12
10
10
6
10
6
6
10
6
6
8
6
8
4
4
16
12
14
10
Original play
(produced)
10
Orig. radio script
(produced)
8
Orig. TV script
(prod.)
8
Orig. play
(unproduced) 2
Orig. radio script
(unproduced) 1
Orig. TV script
(unprod.)
1
Miscellaneous
Oral interpretation
Duet acting scenes
16
12
12
4
3
3
4
4
Participation in theatre festival or
contest
6
Attending a performance or festival 2
Assembly program
Officers
President
Vice president
Secretary
Treasurer
Clerk
Website develop/maintenance
Other
Award Total Points
Honor
One star 20
Thespians
Two stars 30
Three stars 40
Four stars 50
Honor Bar 60
2
12
8
10
8
8
8
4
Lettering in Drama:
In addition to the International Thespian Society, a student can earn points toward their high school
letters in drama. Points towards lettering can be earned by:
Main Stage Productions (non-musical):
Musical Point System:
Student Director/Stage Manager: 30 points
Lead Role: 30 points
Designer: 30 points
Supporting: 25 points
Performer: 30 points
Ensemble/Chorus: 15 points
Tech Crew Leads: 20 points
Student Director: 30 points
Tech Crew: 15 points
Stage Manager: 30 points
Tech Crew Leads: 20 points
Tech Crew: 15 points
(Pep Rally, Game, Assembly, Talent
Show, etc.)
Second Stage Performances:
Serving on Drama Council: 5 points
Student Director/Stage Manager: 20 points
Solo performances: 5 points each
Performer: 20 points
(Must be teacher approved)
Tech Crew Leads: 12 points
Tech Crews for Outside groups: 5 points each
Tech Crew: 10 points
Active Drama Club Member: 5 points
Outside Auditions: 5 per audition
Additional Points –
Tickets/Usher/Concessions: 2 points each
Thespian Hours: 5 per performance
night
Active Thespian Member: 3 points
Additional Outside Theatre Training: up to 5
Workshop attendance: 5 per event
points
One-Act Festival: 20 points
Service: 5 points per service
Informal School Performances: 5 points each
To letter in Drama students must achieve 100 points per year. Totals are not transferred from year
to year, each student starts over each year.
Play Report
Your Name:
Play Title:
Author:
Characters (#):
Define the play’s genre as you have conceived it (Comedy, melodrama, farce,
tragedy, etc.):
Major Characters and a brief description of each:
Identify the important conflicts of the play:
Describe what happens in the climax:
Synopsis of the play:
Explain you personal reaction to the play:
Announcement from
Freedom’s drama Program
Is your dresser full of clothes you haven’t worn in years? Have
you been eyeing a comfy leather sofa, but don’t know what to do
with your old one? Have your dishes been dropped a few times
and you no longer have a complete set?
The drama group is willing to take it off your hands.
The drama department is trying to acquire props, costumes, and set pieces for future use
in productions, and would appreciate any help you can offer. They are looking
specifically for the following items:
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Furniture (period sofas/chairs, tables, benches, etc.)
Old Clothes (period to modern)/costumes
Jewelry and other personal items (gloves, eye glasses, watches,
suitcases/briefcases, purses, etc.)
Fabric
Tableware (dishes, utensils, glasses, etc.)
Knick knacks
Tools and building materials (including old paint)
These items will not only be helpful for school productions but classroom work as well.
Donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon request. We ask that
you contact Mrs. Portch the drama teacher prior to dropping things off at school because
storage space is limited and the program may no longer have need for that item. If you
have any other items (not listed above) you would like to donate to the drama program
please contact Mrs. Portch as well.
Mrs. Portch can be reached via email at: mportch@loudoun.k12.va.us or by phone at
703-957-4303.
Receipt of Acknowledgement
Student Name __________________________________________________________________
The following is to verify that both the student and their parent(s) have read the Drama handbook
and understand the contents therein.
Student Signature ____________________________
Date _____________________
Parent Signature _____________________________
Date _____________________
In case of emergency:
Contact Name ___________________________
Daytime phone ___________________
Please return to your director by Friday, Sept. 7th, 2007. This form will be kept on file in the drama
office for future reference. Parents if you have any questions please feel free to contact the
director at any time.