ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
Parents and students:
Welcome to the AMS Theatre Arts family! This year promises to be full of fun and excitement as we explore the world of
theatre. Students will develop the necessary technical and performance skills in order to design, build, and mount a fullscale production while learning important life lessons such as responsibility, dependability, perseverance and
cooperation.
Theatre students will study performance, dramatic literature, and theatre history. They will also have the opportunity to
participate in theatre productions. Since productions are the laboratories where the skills learned in class are applied,
all students are expected to be a company member (cast or tech) for at least two shows each year. Students may be
allowed to participate in more than one company assignment for each show. This option will only be available to
students who maintain a grade of 70 in each class.
This year’s production line up is a bit different than it’s been in the past. During the fall semester the 7th and 8th graders
will be hard at work on 4 different productions. Each class will perform their own 25-30 minute one-act play. These
plays will be performed November 8th, 9th, and 10th at 7pm at the high school auditorium. One of the plays will be
selected to compete at the UIL One Act Play Festival in Princeton on December 7th and 8th.
The technical theatre students will be designing and building sets, costumes, props, etc. for the 7 th and 8th grade
productions. Tech theatre students are expected to participate in the performances as well. They will be required to
serve on the backstage crew on each night of performance. This may include running lights and sound or moving set
and props backstage.
6th grade students will be working on developing scenes in class and getting used to performing in front of small
audiences.
In the spring, ALL students will participate in the musical which is set to perform April 18th, 19th, and 20th at 7pm at the
high school auditorium.
Successful theatre programs have strong parental backing. There are several ways that you can provide support and
encouragement for your student:
 Encourage and participate in your student’s home study and make sure they are learning their lines, music,
blocking, and choreography.
 Attend your student’s performances, and
 Be involved in rehearsals, build days, and Drama Mamas / Drama Papas
This handbook is to inform you as parents and students of the theatre program’s policies regarding classroom
expectations as well as production / rehearsal policies. Throughout the year you will undoubtedly have questions
regarding procedures dealing with performances and rehearsals that this handbook hopes to answer. All students must
meet the requirements of the program in order for us to keep a high caliber performance.
These
procedures/requirements have been proven to be beneficial and workable through many years of experience. They
provide the best possible situation for the entire cast and crew. I ask you to follow each and every one in fairness to all.
My interest and aim is to present students in the best possible atmosphere, one which they can enjoy and remember
forever. Our students are presented with sound, stage, scenery, props, costume – the works! I want only the best for
students and I am sure that is the wish of parents and students as well. Thank you for your cooperation. I am so excited
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
that you and your child have chosen to be a part of the AMS Theatre Arts family. We will be having so much fun this
year!
Sincerely,
Heather Surdukan
Theatre Arts
Heather.surdukan@annaisd.org
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM
These expectations are put in place to ensure an organized efficient classroom and allow for the best experience in
theatre arts. Anna Middle School expects every student to:
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Be on time.
Be prepared.
Do what is asked of you.
Clean up your mess.
In addition, the theatre arts expects every student to:
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Respect yourself.
Respect each other.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Be mindful of what words you use, they can hurt and cause damage.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Avoid putting others down.
Support each other.
Students are to enter the room quickly. They are to put their bags and binders in the designated area and begin their
physical and vocal warm ups. Occasionally, students will be required to complete written assignments as part of their
warm ups. Therefore, students need to bring a pencil and paper with them to class everyday.
If a student has a question, they must raise their hand and wait to be called on. They are not to leave their space in the
classroom to approach the teacher with a question. Simply raise your hand and wait patiently.
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
Performance classes will be doing activities that require a lot of movement. Students need to wear appropriate clothing
and shoes everyday.
Tech class will be building, sewing, painting, etc. in order to prepare for productions. Students need to bring “shop
clothes” that can get dirty or painted on. They may keep these clothes in their lockers in order to have available every
day.
LATE WORK
1 day late – maximum of a 70
2 days late – maximum of a 50
3 days late – 0 will be earned
ABSENT FROM CLASS – MAKE UP WORK
If A student is absent from class and has missed work, that student will have the amount of time plus 1 class period to
make up all missed work. After that, a late penalty may be assessed. For example, if a student misses 3 days of class
they will have 4 days from the time they return to make up missed work.
If a student is absent on their assigned performance day, they will perform on the day they return. Theatre arts is graded
primarily on participation in classroom activities which involve a lot of partner work and group work. Therefore, it is
incredibly difficult to make up the work missed. Students are responsible for finding out the information they have
missed due to an absence.
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be based on the following:
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Performances in the classroom and on stage - The performances that take place in the high school auditorium
serve as an assessment to both tech and performance students. It is a time to see how effectively the students
have learned the skills needed in order to put on a show. Therefore, performances count as 2-3 test grades.
There are usually 3 performances of each show. BOTH tech students and performance students are required to
participate in the productions. If a student is not able to participate in the performances they will be required to
complete an alternative assignment equivalent to the performance of a production in order to make up for the
test grades. For performance students the alternative assignment will include (but is not limited to) a
performance of a scene on the stage in the cafeteria for an audience of their peers. For tech students the
alternative assignment will include (but is not limited to) research and book work on the production as well as
typed essays on the findings of said research and book work.
Script work – once cast, students will be required to write and complete activities in their scripts. They need to
bring them EVERYDAY to class.
Practice sheet – A weekly grade given every Monday. Students will bring home a sheet where they document
practice time in the appropriately dated boxes. Parents sign and students return for a grade. Students can
practice by working on line memorization, choreography, tongue twisters, projection and articulation, warm
ups, etc.
Participation in classroom activities – a daily grade based on effort given in various exercises geared towards the
day’s lesson. Failure to participate in classroom activities will result in a deduction of 25 points for that day’s
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
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participation grade. Preparation is a part of participation as well. If a student shows up to class without their
script, notecards, or aren’t ready to perform there will be a deduction of 25 points as well.
Character analysis
Note carding – once a student is cast they will be required to provide notecards used in a classroom activity that
promotes memorization
Build projects – tech students will build the sets, costumes, and props for each show. The final product will
count as a test grade.
BEHAVIOR OUTSIDE OF CLASS
Students who are serving either ISS or OSS disciplinary consequences are not eligible to practice or perform or
attend any extracurricular activity or school function.
No pass, no play – students who receive a 69 or below on their report cards will not be eligible to participate in
productions.
Any student not eligible to participate in productions will be required to complete an alternative assignment to
make up for the missing test grade.
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Participating in a production is one of the most rewarding experiences a young person can have. This portion of the
handbook is designed to provide you with information to assist you and your student from auditions through closing
night. It’s an overview of the process of mounting a production. This process offers students the opportunity to develop
social skills and learn valuable life lessons. Some examples follow:
1. In a show, EVERYONE’S CONTRIBUTION IS IMPORTANT. The student operating the sound system is as
important to the overall success of the production as the student who plays Cinderella, Annie or Aladdin.
2. Everyone must WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GREATER GOOD, encouraging COLLABORATION and
COMMUNITY.
3. Students learn the importance of LISTENING to each other speak and WAITING ONE’S TURN. They take
POSITIVE RISKS, and CONQUER FEARS while building self-confidence.
4. ASSESMENT in a show in nearly INSTANTANEOUS in the applause and standing ovations students receive at
the end of the show, meaning they don’t have to wait months for a grade, praise or feedback.
A show is a lot of fun for everyone involved, whether the student creates the set, manages the show, sings in the chorus,
or plays the lead.
AUDITIONS
Auditions are held in many different ways and are usually completed during class. Students may be expected to:
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
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Sing a small part of a song
Learn a short dance
Prepare a monologue
Perform a cold reading
After the initial audition, I may hold another set of auditions called “callbacks”. At these auditions students may be
asked to sing again, read another scene, dance some more. Callbacks can be a source of stress and confusion for young
actors. If some students aren’t invited to callbacks, they may think they did something wrong or aren’t being considered
for a part. This may or may not be the case. Some roles have been cast after the initial audition and may not require a
callback.
The announcement of the cast can be a difficult time since the role offered may not meet a student’s expectations.
Please show good “sportsmanship” once the show has been cast and don’t use it as an opportunity to put others down.
Casting a show is a very difficult process and not one that I take lightly. Overall, trust my choice in cast. I am casting an
ensemble, not just one or two “lead” roles. It’s important for the cast to understand the importance of working
together as an ensemble and to see the production as a whole – not as individual parts that seem less or more
important than others. EVERYONE’S CONTRIBUTION IS IMPORTANT AND VALUED.
REGULAR AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS
These rehearsals usually begin right after school at 4 and go until 5:30. They will be in the middle school cafeteria.
Students may be picked up on the same side of the building as a regular car rider. (by the gym on the south side of the
building).
Each student will receive a master rehearsal schedule on the day the show is cast. This will give them plenty of time to
make arrangements for a ride after school. Each student is expected to be picked up at their designated time during
regular rehearsals, I WILL NOT HOLD STUDENTS PAST 5:30 ON REGULAR REHEARSAL DAYS. If a parent is significantly
late picking up their student the district policy is to contact Anna Police Department to come pick up the student.
Parents will then be required to pick their student up at the police station.
Attendance to all rehearsals is a MUST. If a student is absent from rehearsal, it is their responsibility to find out what
was missed and be prepared for the next rehearsal. If a student misses 3 or more after school rehearsals they may lose
their role/performance privileges. If a student isn’t able to participate in a production due to absences they will be
required to complete an alternative assignment.
STUDENTS NOT INVOLVED IN THE THEATRE PROGRAM ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND REHEARSALS WITHOUT
OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM ME AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not to be used during rehearsal.
Students are expected to be prepared for rehearsals by knowing their lines, knowing their blocking, and being familiar
with the scene.
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
TECHNICAL REHEARSALS
At these rehearsals I will be adding the technical elements to the production. These may include sound, lights, props,
and even special effects. These rehearsals can seem long and tedious, but are where the important details of the show
are ironed out.
These rehearsals will take place at the high school auditorium. Students will be bussed over from the middle school and
can be picked up in front of the high school auditorium. THESE REHEARSALS WILL LAST AT LEAST UNTIL 6PM, AND MAY
TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAYS AS WELL.
DRESS REHEARSALS
At these rehearsals costumes are added to complement the technical elements already in place. I will do my best to
provide each student with a costume, but it can’t always be guaranteed. Students will be expected to provide their own
shoes.
These rehearsals will take place at the high school auditorium. Students will be bussed over from the middle school and
can be picked up in front of the high school auditorium. THESE REHEARSALS WILL LAST AT LEAST UNTIL 6PM AND MAY
TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAYS AS WELL.
ATTENDENCE TO TECHNICAL AND DRESS REHEARSALS IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. Absences during tech and dress will
result in a loss of role. We have very limited time to practice on the stage we will perform on, therefore, every student
is expected to attend these rehearsals.
*There may be an all-day Saturday Tech/Dress, if needed, the Saturday before performance week. Students will be
made aware of this rehearsal well in advance so that arrangements may be made.
*Tech and dress rehearsals may run longer than 6pm, depending on the difficulty involved. I will always do my best to
make sure they are out as close to 6pm as possible. My philosophy is, it’s better to go 5 – 10 minutes over time than for
a student to be stressed out and feel unprepared because we didn’t get to practice the show all the way through.
Rehearsal schedules can be viewed online on the classroom website and on the district calendar.
PERFOMANCES
Students will be bussed to the high school right after school (around 4pm). Doors open at 6:30, performances start at
7pm. Sometimes the students may need to practice something before performing, therefore, each student is expected
to ride the bus to the high school.
After the performance, students will be required to hang up their costume and reset their props. Once they have
completed those tasks they will be released. Failure to hang up a costume or reset a prop can result in a deduction of
points on the performance test grade.
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
DISCIPLINE DURING ALL REHEARSALS
Students are expected to follow the expectations and policies of the school and classroom. Violation of these policies
and expectations while at rehearsal, as well as violation of rehearsal policies, will result in a dismissal from rehearsal. 3
DISMISSALS WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM PRODUCITON. Students will receive several verbal warnings before a
dismissal is issued. In the result of a dismissal, students will be asked to sign a form acknowledging the persistent
behavior. An example of a dismissal form can be found in the back of this handbook.
NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED BACKSTAGE OR IN THE AUDITORIUM DURING TECH/DRESS REHEARSALS AND
PERFORMANCES.
ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS HANDBOOK 20122013
HANDBOOK AGREEMENT
We have received and reviewed the Anna Middle School Theatre Arts Handbook for the year 2012-2013. We fully
understand that the policies and requests are for the purpose of promoting the students’ education, welfare, and safety
as well as the protection of the theatre arts room, equipment, and stage. We agree to follow these policis and comply
with the requests as set forth in the handbook.
Parent signature:_________________________________
Student signature:_______________________________
Date:____________________________________
Date:_________________________________________