ADVANCED DRAMA
(and ADVANCED DRAMA 2 & 3)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
2017– 2018
Paula McConnell, instructor
Advanced Drama is a two-semester course (1 unit of credit), after prerequisites: Drama 1, contest participation, and teacher approval. A majority of the year is spent in preparation for invitationals, regionals, and state competition; contest performance is mandatory at each of these levels. Each student works on individual projects in his choice of categories, including humorous duet, dramatic duet, humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, domestic extemporaneous speaking, foreign extemporaneous speaking, monologue, prose, poetry, standard oratory, and original oratory. Individual assignments include cutting and timing a script, use of video and audio tape, group practice and performance. Participating in the October drama play (onstage or backstage), running the November Marlow Invitational Speech Tournament, and presenting the April Talent Showcase is required.
2017-2018ADVANCEDDRAMA OBJECTIVES
Paula McConnell, instructor
First Semester: Selection, understanding, and delivery of different forms of literature in the competitive field. Competition and drama play are the stressed areas.
First Nine Weeks:Group activities
Demonstration Day
Dramaplay
Weekly:During the first nine weeks, each student shall:
Aug. 10-Aug. 11:Discuss required activities.
Discuss play auditions.
Aug. 14-Aug. 18:Read play and competitive scripts.
Audition for play. [optional] (Aug. 14 or 15)
Participate in group activities which promote teamwork.
Aug. 21-Aug. 25:Discuss ideas for Demonstration Day.
Choose emcees for Demonstration Day.
Aug. 28-Sept. 1:Practice opening for Demonstration Day.
Write Cameron Demonstration Day dialogue.
Run Act 1 blocking of play.
Sept. 5-Sept. 8:Practice opening for Demonstration Day.
Run portions of play.
Sept. 11-Sept. 15:Practice Cameron Demonstration acts.
Attend Cameron Demonstration Day. [optional] (Sept. 14)
Discuss new OSSAA rules.
Sept. 18-Sept. 22:Discuss team handbook.
Run Act II blocking of play.
Sept.25-Sept. 28:Practice/tech play.
Oct. 2-Oct. 6:Run and tech play. (Play dates are October 67)
Oct. 9-Oct. 13:Select and time cuttings for first semester contests.
Run Xerox copies of scripts.
Block and memorizefirst selection.
2017-2018ADVANCEDDRAMA OBJECTIVES
Paula McConnell, instructor
Second Nine Weeks: Contest work for firstsemester projects
Marlow Tournament work
Weekly:During the second nine weeks, each student shall:
Oct. 16-Oct. 19:Participate in group sessions by event.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury. [extemp]
Oct. 24-Oct. 27:Run-through and time first contest selection.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury. [poetry, prose, standard, monologue]
Oct. 30-Nov. 3:Run-through and time first contest selection.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury. [original, interps, duets]
Perform at Duncan Tournament. (Nov. 4)
Nov. 6-Nov. 10:Select and time cutting for Marlow/Hennessey contest.
Organize Marlow Invitational Speech/Debate Tournament.
Nov. 13-Nov. 17:Organize Marlow Invitational Speech/Debate Tournament. (cont.)
Participate in a leadership role at the tournament. (Nov. 1718)
Nov. 20-Nov. 21:Complete post-tournament work and cleanup.
Nov. 27-Dec. 1:Block and time Hennessey project.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury. [extemp, prose, poetry, standard, mono]
Dec. 4-Dec. 8:Block and time Hennessey project.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury.[all remaining events]
Perform at Hennessey Tournament. (Dec. 9)
Dec. 11-Dec.15:Select and time second semester projects.
Dec. 18-Dec. 20:Block second semester projects.
2017-2018ADVANCEDDRAMA OBJECTIVES
Paula McConnell, instructor
Second Semester: Competitive work, including Regionals and State; Talent Showcase
Third Nine Weeks:Invitational contest work
Regional contest work
Weekly:During the third nine weeks, each student shall:
Jan. 3-Jan. 5:Participate in group activities that promote teamwork.
Block, time, and memorize Comanche/NWOSU project.
Run xerox copies of scripts.
Jan. 8-Jan. 12:Block, time, and memorize Comanche/NWOSU project.
Video tape and critiqueJury performance. [extemp, poetry, prose, oratories, mono]
Jan. 16-Jan. 19:Block, time, and memorize Comanche/NWOSU project.
Perform, video tape, and critique selection for jury.[interp, duet]
Perform at NWOSU Speech Tournament. (Jan. 20) [alternate contest]
Jan. 22-Jan. 26:Run-through and time Comanche/Cameron selections.
Run xerox copies of scripts.
Video tape and critique Jury performance. [extemp, poetry, prose, standard, mono.]
Jan. 29-Feb. 2:Run-through and time Comanche/Cameron selections.
Video tape and critique Jury performance. [original, interps, duets]
Perform at Comanche Speech Tournament. (Feb. 3)
Feb. 5-Feb. 9:Write BLAST skit.
Write script, organize roles, order of appearance, and emcees for Talent Showcase.
Choreograph opening number for Showcase.
Feb. 12-Feb. 16:Select regional entries.
Run xerox copies of scripts.
View invitational tapes of entries.
Participate in 15-minute work session with Mrs. McConnell. (1stand 2ndevents)
Perform at Cameron Speech Tournament (Feb. 17)
Feb. 19-Feb. 22:Participate in BLAST Assembly skit. [optional]
Participate in 15-minute work session with Mrs. McConnell. (3rd event)
Feb. 26-Mar. 2:Research old ballots and entire scripts.
Recut, rememorize, reblock entries.
Rewrite introductions.
Retime regional entries.
Video tape and critique a Jury performance of first entry.
2017-2018ADVANCED DRAMA OBJECTIVES
Paula McConnell, instructor
Fourth Nine Weeks: Regional contest work
State contest work
Talent Showcase
Weekly:During the fourth nine weeks, each student shall:
Mar. 5-Mar. 9:Practice entries with mirror and audio equipment.
Perform in a wacky rehearsal and a silent run-through.
Video tape and critique a Jury performance of second entry.
Mar. 12-Mar. 16:Video tape and critique a Jury performance of all entries. (due Tuesday)
Perform three run-throughs of entries, practicing conflicts. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Attend Regional Speech Tournament. (March 1617)
Mar. 19-Mar. 23:[Spring Break]
Mar. 26-Mar. 30:Practice opening for Showcase.
Decide on emcee roles for Showcase.
Perform or critique three run-throughs of each state entry.
Apr. 2-Apr. 5:Video and critique State entries.
Perform three run-throughs of each state entry.
Attend State Tournament (if applicable). (April 67)
Apr. 9-Apr. 13:Block and tech. Talent Showcase.
Attend extra rehearsals for Talent Showcase. (April 9 and 10)
Present Talent Showcase. (April 12, evening)
Apr. 16-Apr. 19:Participate in cutting file cleanup and circle games.
Apr. 23-Apr27:Participate in group improvisations (twisted tales, tap, fencing)
Apr30-May 3:Participate in improvisations.
Discuss potential plays for next year.
May 7-May 10:Participate in improvisations.
Discuss contest dates for next year.
May 14-May 16:Take Semester Test, if applicable.