Theatre Company I & II Overview:
This class will be structured to model a professional Repertory “Theatre Company”. After we discuss individual and group goals, the semester/school year will be spent rehearsing and performing various theatrical pieces. For the duration of this class, students will participate in many theatrical endeavors including but not limited to:
Producing and performing theatre for events including:
THECO One Act
THESCON
Preparing AT LEAST ONE IE for THESCON in December. Everyone attending THESCON must present/participate in an IE.
Writing and preparing student written/directed One Acts to be performed in the Spring.
Reaching various personal and group goals determined at the beginning of the semester.
Prerequisites:
Must be an upperclassman
Drama II or Stagecraft II
Consistent involvement in HHS Theatre for 2 years
Audition/Interview
*All students must participate in AT LEAST ONE HHS or OTHER theatrical production or event (outside of those done for/in class) for each semester they are enrolled in Theatre Company. This is IN ADDITION to the THECO Show!
“Participating” constitutes AT LEAST 5 hours of extra-curricular work on a show. Most of you will meet this requirement, no problem.
Following ONE of the shows, students must write a critical review of the performance they have attended or participated in. Ideally, this production will be performed at Heritage, but if needed, you may attend and review a production at another school or community/professional theatre.
Your final project is your IE performance at THESCON and a reflection to be done in class.
Please recognize that THESCON is a multi-day, overnight field trip to Downtown Denver. Costs will be covered at a later time.
If you cannot attend THESCON, we can discuss an alternate assignment.
Performance Policy:
Please note that performances outside of class will be PART OF YOUR GRADE, and thus your attendance/participation at said performances will be required!
I will get schedules out to you as soon as possible–YOU MUST communicate with me as soon as you can if there are any issues!
Hello and welcome to Theatre Company! This is an incredibly unique class that enables students to be involved in many aspects of modern theatre. While working together and making decisions as a “Company”, we will get to know each other’s strengths, improve upon our weaknesses, and put on some fantastic productions in the meantime.
Materials:
Charged chromebook or personal computer
Pen (blue or black), pencil, and highlighter
Notebook
School appropriate clothes/footwear you’re comfortable working/performing in
Closed-toe shoes
NO high heels
Behavioral Expectations:
You’re expected to arrive on time with all materials needed for learning. You are tardy if you are not in the theatre and prepared for class by the time the bell finishes ringing. Repeat tardies, failure to bring any necessary materials to class, or absences may result in disciplinary consequences.
You are expected to treat others with COURTESY, DIGNITY, and RESPECT. In part, Drama is about getting out of your comfort zone–that said, you always be physically, mentally, and emotionally safe. Behavior that proves otherwise or inhibits the learning of others is unacceptable and will not be allowed.
Try EVERYTHING! You do not have to love (or even like) everything that we do in this class, but you are expected to try! You won’t know what you might excel at unless you give it a chance.
Respect our space! The Heritage High School theatre is a beautiful place–and we want it to stay that way. So, please no eating or drinking in the theatre (aside from water). Additionally, if you break something, or if you find something broken, please tell me! There is a higher likelihood that we can get it fixed if you tell me RIGHT THEN.
Safety Third! (Kidding. Seriously.) You are expected to read, sign, and follow the guidelines as outlined in the HHS Stagecraft Safety Manual. Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary action and possible removal from the course.
Come in with compassion, a good attitude, and an open mind EVERY DAY!
Grading:
In Infinite Campus, grades will be divided into the following weighted categories in accordance with the Colorado State Drama and Theatre Arts Standards:
Creation - 30%
Performance - 30%
Critical Response - 30%
Final - 10%
Students who earn an 89.5%, 79.5%, 69.5%, or 59.5% or higher will be rounded up to the next letter grade (ex: a final grade of 79.7% would be rounded up to a B-; however, a 79.4% would still be a C+).
Eligibility for rounded grade is dependent upon completing the final.
You may inquire about your grades by visiting Infinite Campus or Google Classroom. If you have a more specific question, you may contact me via email or by finding me during my office hours.
Homework Policy:
The majority of work will be completed during school hours, but any unfinished classwork, homework, or projects must be turned in/completed on time.
Make Up/Late Work:
Within one week late, you will receive 70% of the grade earned (IE: you earned a 100%, but it was late. You’d get a 70%)
If work is more than one week late, you will receive a 50% grade reduction in the gradebook.
Late work will only be accepted until the end of a unit or as announced by the teacher.
Work turned in that was due during an unexcused absence will be reduced by 50% of the grade earned.
Plagiarism, AI, and Academic Dishonesty:
As per the Heritage Student Handbook: “Any student plagiarizing written work from the Internet or other sources and/or any person involved in unauthorized collaboration with another person on written work will receive no credit for that assignment. In addition, any student receiving or giving unauthorized assistance including via forms of Artificial Intelligence or other forms of technology, will receive a ‘0.’ Further disciplinary action, including potentially the loss of course credit and suspension, may also be warranted depending on the specific nature of the offense. Scholastic dishonesty will be determined by the school administrator based on due process, a preponderance of overall evidence, and a student’s portfolio of previous work.”
Scholastic dishonesty is a serious offense that will result in a zero for the assignment and will be dealt with by school administrators. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: cheating, copying, and plagiarizing to guide, brainstorm, draft, or create any student work related to any assignment, including students’ projects, class work, written work, and performance tasks.
Teachers reserve the right to check work for AI and plagiarism. Draftback, TurnItIn.com, and other screening platforms will be used in this course.
Originating documents: when requested by a teacher, originating documents for any assignments (including essays, projects, homework, notes, etc) must be provided. Because of the nature of determining origin, do NOT copy and paste from other documents, apps, or websites in order to ensure that all work can demonstrate originality, origin, and progression/revision history. Failure to provide originating documents when requested may result in a ‘0.’
Privacy:
In order to protect the privacy of the students in this class, at no time may phones or other devices be used to make a video, picture, or audio recording of the teacher, class, or other students without explicit teacher permission. Pictures, videos, and audio of the teacher, materials, or other people are not allowed unless prompted by the teacher (example: “take a picture of the homework board”).
Phone & Electronics Policy:
The School Board has ruled that classrooms are a no-cell phone space.
The LPS Cell Phone Policy will be enforced. This includes phones, smart watches, earbuds, and other personal devices. Notice to Parents/Guardians: If you need to contact your student during this class, please contact Heritage’s front office (303.347.7600 ext 0) and they will relay any important messages.
Teachers will use the color circles to indicate if you may use Personal Technology Devices (PTD) as outlined on page 4 of the Student Handbook.
Red - no PTD. Teachers may have students put these devices in a cell phone holder.
Green - teacher allows students to use their PTD for instructional purposes only.
Consequences for inappropriate cell phone and device use will follow the policies outlined in the Student Handbook.
PTD may NOT be taken from the classroom during bathroom breaks. They must be left in pockets or with the teacher.
*Exceptions will be made for students with documented needs as outlined in relevant IEPs, 504s, and HCAPs.
Hallway Passes:
Hallway lanyards will be issued for students to leave the classroom (including bathroom breaks). These will be given at teacher discretion. If students are habitually asking to leave class, the teacher will have a conversation with the student and may limit pass access. Misuse of hallway passes can result in administrative referral.
Bathroom breaks should be no longer than 5 minutes unless there is an emergency!
Harassment and Discrimination:
Inappropriate language and/or behavior will not be tolerated in any form, and will result in a referral to administration, which could lead to a formal investigation. Students please report any cases of harassment or discrimination to teachers, counselors, or administrators. Please refer to page 9 of the Student Handbook for additional information.