THEATRE ARTS 1 CLASS SYLLABUS
Teacher: Scott Di Lorenzo Classroom: Valhalla Theatre
Contact Information: 510-656-5711 *46380 or email sdilorenzo@fremont.k12.ca.us
Website: ihsdrama.com
Welcome to Theatre Arts 1! In this class you will experience many different aspects of theatre. Our goal is to
improve your performance level, your knowledge of theatre, and, most importantly, your self-confidence.
Below is a description of the class, as well as information on grading and other important details.
Class description and textbook:
Theatre 1 covers many aspects of theatre. You will study acting theory/methodology and improve your acting
skills, using improvisation as well as memorized, prepared scenes. You will also study theatre history, technical
theatre, and some musical theatre, film, and television. You will also learn how to be an appropriate audience,
and critique other’s performances and productions.
There is an assigned book, The Stage and the School. We will rarely use this book and your student will
NEVER have to take it home. You will perform many scenes, some of which you will have to find on your
own, and all of which you will have to photocopy.
Theatre 1 is aligned to the state standards for Theatre Arts.
It is very important that you understand that this class requires bookwork as well as memorization,
rehearsal, and PERFORMANCE!
Grading:
I grade on a point system. Your grade will be based on many aspects of Theatre. Some of the major aspects are
as follows: Preparation, rehearsal, and memorization, performance, technical theatre work, improvisation,
audience behavior, quizzes, tests, writing, book work, notes, projects, play critiques, attendance, and
participation.
A student can fail the class by having more than ten (10) unexcused absences.
The grading system is as follows: 90 – 100% A
80 – 89% B
70 – 79 % C
67 – 69% I
0 – 66.9% NC (No Credit)
Contracts:
I do give contracts for those that have earned an I in my class. Please note that you must get 67 percent to 69
percent to earn a contract.
Extra Credit:
Any play that you see outside of the mandatory plays that you must see at Irvington and write a theatre critique
(please see critique rubric attached), I will give 25 pts. of extra credit added to your grade. You may do this
twice per semester.
Absences and Making up work:
It is very important for you to be here for class! You will often have classmates that are counting on you to
rehearse scenes or work on other group projects. You MUST be in class on the day of your dress rehearsal and
performance! If you are absent on either of these days, YOU WILL LOSE A LETTER GRADE from your
rehearsal or performance. If you have an emergency and need to be excused, you or your parent must call
or email me before your class period starts, and the absence must be cleared through the attendance office. If
you miss a quiz or test (which I will only give on Wednesdays) it is the student’s responsibility to come to my
advisory the next day to make up the quiz/test. I will not give them time in class to make it up.
1) Respect
Theatre is the most collaborative of all art forms. Respect and be sensitive to the ideas, opinions, and property
of others.
Think before you act and treat others with kindness and consideration.
Use appropriate language: absolutely NO swearing, name calling, or physical abuse is allowed.
No food or drink (water is okay).
Remove hats and hoods.
Do not write on or deface desks and other property and report all acts of vandalism.
Clean your desk and workspace before leaving.
Dress appropriately. No revealing or assaulting clothing is permitted.
Our class is a community that is dependent on the respect, participation and enthusiasm of each member for the
success of the whole.
2)Responsibility
Take responsibility for your work and your actions.
Report to class with all required materials and wait to be dismissed before leaving.
Homework assignments are due in the HW tray before the second bell!
Late work loses a potential grade every school day it is late. (an A paper submitted 1 day late = a B paper)
Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings (that’s the 2nd one).
Use tutorial for questions about class discussions and homework assignments and to turn in work after an
excused absence.
Missed assignments will not be discussed during class time.
3)Effort
You must work inside and outside of class in order to be completely successful in this course.
Accept assignments without complaints and do your best on everything.
Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any form of plagiarism or cheating on any assignment, quiz, test or
project will result in
an immediate "F," a parent conference, referral to the Principal, and possible dismissal from class.
You will get out of this class what you put in.
Keep your ipods, cell phones & make-up out of the classroom. If used, these items will be confiscated. You are
now warned.
YOU AND YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN NEED TO SIGN AND RETURN THE ATTACHED FORM A.S.A.P.
THANK YOU!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am looking forward to working with your child in Theatre Arts this year. There are a few things that I want to
make you aware of as the year begins.
Please make sure to read the Theatre Arts Class Syllabus, and to sign the attached form.
All of my Theatre Arts students are required to be in class on the day of scheduled dress rehearsals or
performances. Students will know approximately one week in advance which days these are. If they already
have appointments, etc. scheduled during the performance week, it is up to the student to inform me, and work
with me to schedule the performance on a day that they will be in class. If the student misses class on a
performance day, they will lose a grade from their performance. If there is an emergency and the student
absolutely cannot attend class on the scheduled performance day, you or your student must call or email me
before their class starts to be excused, and it must be excused by the attendance office. You can email me at
sdilorenzo@fremont.k12.ca.us, or call me at 510-656-5711 *46380. Email is the much better option.
One other requirement in my class is that each student attends one play each semester, and completes a
critique. The play needs to be Irvington high schools production. Sorry, their little brother or sister’s 2’nd
grade class play won’t work! We do have one production each semester at Irvington to which they will get a
theatre student discount. The first production will be in early December and the second production will be the
last three weeks of March. I will give the students details as the production approaches. If finances are an issue,
please have the student see me, and we will make arrangements.
If your child in involved in a production outside of school, have them tell me! I do give extra credit for any
involvement in theatre outside of class.
There will be times that your child will be asked to provide scenes, photocopies, props, costumes, etc. for their
performance. I do not expect large amounts of money to be spent on any of this! Most props or costumes that
are needed can usually be found in grandparents’, parents’, or friend’s closets, or at a thrift store. We also have
numerous supplies here, and I will be happy to check out to them anything that we have and are not currently
using in our production.
You are welcome to attend your child’s performances! Simply ask them to let me know that you will be
coming, and check in at the office as a visitor.
I look forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Scott Di lorenzo
Artistic Director
Irvington High School
Valhalla Theatre
510-656-5711 *46380
sdilorenzo@fremont.k12.ca.us
THEATRE ARTS
Return to:
Mr. Di Lorenzo/ Valhalla Theatre
STUDENT NAME: (please print)____________________________________________________________
I have read and understand the attached syllabus, including grading and class rules.
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I have read and understand the attached syllabus, including grading and class rules. I have read the attached
parent letter regarding class requirements and procedures.
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