Theatre Arts
Instructor: Ms. Kristina Cummins Room: Drama
Website: http://capital.osd.wednet.edu/staff/cummins
Email: kcummins@osd.wednet.edu
Gmail: kcummins@students.osd.wednet.edu
Phone: (360) 596-8043
Course Description: This course is designed for the student interested in dramatic activities with an
emphasis on performance. Areas covered in depth include: vocabulary, roles in the theatre, pantomime,
movement, acting (scene work and one act plays), theatre evaluation, and theatre history (from ancient
Greek to the present), the reading of plays, theatre design and tech, and attendance at a live theatre
performance. Students will be involved every day in some performance--based activity. There is an
emphasis on memorization, working as a team, and classroom attendance. Students will be creating
projects throughout the term in groups/ teams just as they would encounter in the professional theatre
world. This course will not count as an English credit.
VIDEO/PHOTOGRAPHY: In this course, we often video record students’ performances.
Contact me directly if you wish for your child to NOT be photographed and video recorded.
Major Assignments and Projects:
The following assignments are required for the course:
Classroom Based Assessment on Improvisation
Vocal Recitations
Duo Scenes and Monologues
Theatre History Presentations
Playwriting Scripts
Pantomime Performances
Play Reviews and Analysis
Technical Theatre Projects
Class One Act Production
Film
Field Trip to Seattle Shakespeare to see Mother Courage (permission slips coming soon!)
IE Conference (Optional – February 6th at Olympia HS) - All students are encouraged to participate!
Theatre Portfolio: You will need a 1” binder with dividers for your Theatre Portfolio. I have some
prepared that can be purchased for $5. (Bring money to the ASB office and bring the receipt to me to
receive your binder). You can store it in the Drama Room.
Leadership Points: In addition to the class work, students will need to contribute to CHS theatre outside
of class time. See the attached handout for information on how to earn these Leadership Points.
Play Performances: The best way to learn about theatre is to experience it. Students are expected to see
at least one production over the course of each semester and write a review of the show. This can be a
show produced at CHS, or another local high school, community, or professional theatre. Our field trip to
Seattle Shakespeare can be used or any other opportunity made available through the school.
Website: My homepage will continually be updated with links to local theatre organizations and
opportunities for students to engage in theatre both at CHS and within the community.
Cummins
2015 – 2016
Environment and Safety: To have a truly meaningful experience in this course, it is important that
we observe two types of safety rules: physical and emotional. Our basic physical safety rule is no
unplanned bodily contact. Without this rule someone may come to physical harm. Just as important are
emotional hurts. You and your peers put yourselves on the line when you present for each other. You
openly share yourself with us and then allow others to comment on your expression. To preserve the
integrity of and maintain positive feelings about your work, the following rules apply to all comments
about presentations:
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Respect the effort of each member of the class
Appreciate the choices made by each person
Be constructive in any criticism
Include positive responses as part of any full critique
Focus your comments to the individual presenting (i.e. do not compare people)
Limit discussion to in-class only (our work is confidential)
In this class we become a family! It is essential that we care for each other well and work together for the
common goal of a meaningful production.
Performance Materials: In order to establish the best environment possible it is important that all
students feel comfortable being a part of the audience. Many award winning theatrical plays, scenes
and monologues have objectionable words, subject matter and situations. Please don’t bring material
that is inappropriate for a classroom situation into the classroom. If you personally find something that is
being presented objectionable in any way feel free to step outside the classroom, you may cut the material
from your selection or talk to me personally so that a suitable solution can be found. It is important that
we work together to create the most creative environment possible, in which all feel comfortable and
learn. Creating this classroom environment is an important task for all of us!
Rules and Regulations of the Capital High School Theatre:
We are fortunate to have a nice performing arts facility and it takes cooperation from all of us to maintain
it. Upon entering this theatre you hereby agree to abide to and enforce the following rules:
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No food, drinks, or gum in the space at any time
No feet on the seats, seat arms or backs
Do not climb over the back of the seats
Persons may be backstage or onstage with permission only
Students may only be in the space with supervision
Cell phones are not to be used during class or rehearsal
Consequences for not following these rules:
1. Warning
2. Working in the theatre after school to clean it so you know the work it takes to maintain
3. REFERAL TO ADMINISTRATION
THE SHOW MUST GO ON! It is essential that all students are here and on time ready to rehearse.
When a player is missing, it becomes very difficult for the remainder of the cast to develop the play.
Illness and appointments aren’t always avoidable, so please do your best to stay healthy.
Cummins
2015 – 2016
Grading and Evaluation: We are implementing the new National Core Art Standards
Student progress will be evaluated using a standards-based assessment system. Instead of earning points
for individual assignments, you will earn your letter grade on how skilled you are in the following areas:
*Engaged Learning(20%): assesses participation and involvement in class activities, journal responses,
and script reading reviews. Everyone is expected to be an active participant when appropriate AND
respectful members of the audience when observing others’ perform. Leadership points are also assessed
in this category.
*Performance: (80%) assess students’ creative process, performances, and reflections. All assessments
are graded on rubrics. These assignments can be redone since they are linked to standards, with teacher
approval and within the same time/unit as the standard was addressed.
Work will be assessed on a 4 point scale.
Grade Definition
4
Advanced - consistently exceeds proficient level of standard(s).
Percentage in Skyward
A=
92.5 – 100%
A-=
86.67 – 92.49%
B+=
80.84 – 86.66%
B=
75.0 – 80.83%
B- =
66.67 – 74.99%
C+=
58.34 - 66.66%
C=
50.0 – 58.33%
C- =
41.67 – 49.99%
D+=
33.34 – 41.66%
D=
25 – 33.33%
F=
0 – 24.99%
3.5
Proficient with partial success at advanced level.
3
Proficient - Consistently meets standard(s).
2.5
Basic but partial success at proficient level
2
Basic - Inconsistently meets standard(s).
1.5
Below basic but partial success at basic.
1
0
Below basic - Rarely meets standard(s).
The work does not reach a level identified by the descriptors
above.
An asterisk on the Skyward report means that students have not yet been assessed in this
area or is in the process of being assessed, but not yet entered – it is not a missing assignment.
*
Our grading motto is: 4, 3, 2, or REDO. We expect students to show at least “Basic” understanding of a
concept; otherwise, they must revisit the assignment.
Students and parents/guardians, please sign and return the half page below to me. The syllabus is also on our
class website in case you lose this copy. I am looking forward to having a great year together!
By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read the whole Theatre Arts syllabus, I understand the content,
and I know how to contact Mrs. Cummins if I have any questions or concerns.
Student name: _________________________________________ Date: ______________
Student signature: __________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian name: __________________________________ Date: ______________
Parent/Guardian signature: ___________________________________________________
Cummins
2015 – 2016