Introduction to Drama

C Block

Spring 2008

Teacher: Stephanie Moffett Hynds

Office: Riley Center for the Arts, just off the Dance Studio

Office Hours: By appointment

Email: ffice Phone: 549-8232 Home Phone: 375-0059

Course Objectives:

The goal of the Introduction to Drama class is for students to gain an appreciation for theatre with a particular emphasis on the art of acting. Through a variety of assignments, exercises and improvisational games, we will explore the essential techniques actors use to develop physical, vocal, and mental agility in order to create believable, compelling characters. You will apply what you are learning to work on monologues and scenes. By reading and discussing a variety of plays, seeing and critiquing live performances, and performing for invited audiences, your appreciation for the actor’s work will deepen.

The course begins with the assumption that all of us are endowed with such unteachable qualities as creativity and sensitivity and that these can only be developed through hard work in the pursuit of craft. Acting is not just the vague exercise of talent, but a demanding art form which requires as much careful thought and preparation as any other rewarding endeavor. Right from the start, let’s establish an atmosphere of commitment, trust and mutual respect. Ultimately, I would like our theatre to feel like an actor’s gym, where you can come to hone your acting muscles in a safe, supportive environment. To that end, please honor the following:

Golden Rules:

  • Never shame a fellow actor! We will not be able to create a place where everyone can feel free to explore and express themselves if belittling is tolerated (either in critiquing peer work or during class exercises). Find ways to give honest, constructive feedback.
  • During dialogue sessions, suspend your assumptions & judgments and honor differences with a focus on inquiry, not debate.
  • There shall be no physical violence of any kind for any reason.
  • Always come prepared to get right to work. You are expected to be fully present in body, mind and spirit.
  •  To that end, when the bell rings, you should go right up on stage with your Drama Class binder and begin your warm up. If you need to change into sweats, do so as soon as you arrive so you will be ready to start as soon after the bell rings as possible. Always bring your notebook/pencil up on stage with you!
  • Students will be expected to conduct themselves according to the codes set down in the BBA student handbook as well as the BBA Performing Arts Department Protocols & Procedures. Remember, if you miss a class, it’s your responsibility to find out what you missed and to make up any missed assignments.
  • On occasion, we will meet either in the Band Room or in the Dance Studio. We will also be rehearsing in small groups throughout the building. Obviously, keep in mind that others are in class at the same time and behave respectfully.

Required Materials:

  • A three-ring binder that is at least 1” thick, stocked with loose leaf notepaper
  • Pens and Pencils with erasers (most script work requires pencils only, not ink)
  • Proper workout attire
  • A sense of humor. That’s an order.

Class Attire: It is essential to wear comfortable clothing in which you can move freely. Please bring whatever you need (sweatpants, etc.) each day in order to actively participate. You may store these clothes in the Drama Class lockers in the Green Room.

*Required Field Trips: The importance of seeing quality live performances cannot be overstated. Each semester I make a point of finding excellent opportunities for my students to observe other actors practicing their craft – one of the best ways I know to reinforce what we are learning in class. While I encourage you to see as much theatre as possible, I will require that you see only the following three productions, two of which take place at BBA. Parents, please note that I will be sending home additional information on these, but I would like to give you this heads-up to help you and your children plan your schedules.

  • BBA’s One Act Festival, three one-acts performed by BBA students, February 29, 6:30PM, $6 admission. (One of these will go on to the One Act competition in Rutland.)
  • Sweet Storm, a new play by Scott Hudson (of NYC’s LABrynth Theatre Co.) at Bennington College, Thursday, March 20. (Admission is free.) I will be reserving a bus which will leave BBA at 7PM and will return to BBA at 10PM. We have been especially invited by Bennington College to attend this performance and the actors and designers will remain after the one-hour show for a talk-back with us.
  • Grease!BBA’s spring musical, May 28-31, 6:30PM. Admission is $6 for students, $10 for adults. It will be essential to make reservations early for this!

**Save the date! Performing Arts Showcase: On the evening of May 21, BBA’s Performing Arts Dept. puts on quite a show at the Southern Vermont Arts Center. The Drama class will present their final scenes on the stage, along with performances by the music and dance departments. It is truly a thrilling evening when the students get to demonstrate what they’ve learned to a packed and supportive audience. To prepare for this, students must attend the final dress rehearsals on May 19 & 20 after school so that they will go into their performances with confidence.

Assessments: Throughout the semester, you will benefit from self-evaluation, peer-evaluation, and teacher feedback. Assessment will be in the following areas/assignments:

  • General Assessment – behavior & attitude: willingness to participate, to stay focused, to respect yourself, others and the shared environment, etc.
  • Homework & In-class Assignments – most assignments will be evaluated using the following assessments: Was it turned in on time? Is it a complete, thorough and thoughtful engagement of the assigned topic? Does the student clearly understand the purpose of the assignment as it pertains to acting/actors? What is the student’s ability in the identified skill areas?
  • Script Analysis & Character Analysis – work sheets for monologues and scenework
  • Rehearsal Assessment – evaluating your work ethic; identifying weaknesses in acting technique and methods for improvement through self & peer assessments
  • Performance Assessment – teacher/self assessment of progress in identified goals
  • Play Critiques
  • Quizzes – periodic assessment of vocabulary, comprehension, subject matter
  • Mid-Term/Final Exam
  • Other Projects – As time permits, we will explore other related topics

*Parent/Guardian*: Your signature will let me know that you have read this syllabus and are aware of your child’s class trips and performance requirements. Please contact me if you have any concerns and return this form asap (it will remain in your child’s binder). Thank you.