Theater II & III: Journal Entries. (How it's Done!)

Grading

Each entry should span about 10 lines (200 words).  Each entry is worth 10 points as follows:

 

·         Structure (introduction that includes a restatement of the question, body paragraph that answers question & brief conclusion to “wrap up”) – 5 points

·         Clarity, Thoughtfulness, & Organization (Are your thoughts clear & understandable to the reader?  Are your thoughts organized to be understandable?) – 5 points

 

Each week you are to complete two (2) journal entries.  Journal entries fall under TWO CATEGORIES: reflection OR observation.  You should complete one of each type each week.

 

Reflection entries are a place for you to reflect on your work as an actor, director or technician.  These are a great way for you to write about what you did well during the week, what you hope to improve upon, and what questions you might have for me as your teacher about your performance.  Be sure to really think about what you’ve learned (or still want to learn) about your work as an actor, director, or technician.

 

Observation entries are a place for you to write about what you have observed during the week.  You may write about what you have seen other students work on, what you have seen theatrically OUTSIDE the classroom (plays, television, movies, etc.) or any character observations that you’ve made.  (It’s okay to write “people-watching” stuff.  This is great for acting!)

 

This should prove an easy assignment, since at any given moment you are either rehearsing or waiting for your turn to rehearse!  (Please, PLEASE, PLEASE use the time that you are waiting to rehearse to write these journal entries.  DO NOT PUT IT OFF UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.)

Total entries for February:             4 (Feb 16 – 19, Feb 22 – 26)

Total entries for March:            6 (March 1 – 5, Mar 8 – 12, Mar 22 – 26)

________________________________________________________________________________

Total points:                                    10 entries x 10 points = 100 total possible points

Theater II & III: Show Rehearsals and Preparation

Period 6: "Now Let Me Fly" Film Project

Actors designed costumes, using creativity and the resources available to them in class.  You may bring in your own costume pieces AND we can create a costume for you out of the pieces available in the department.

Directors/camera ops started storyboarding.  Storyboards should be complete by Thursday at the start of class.

Period 7: "The Tell Tale Heart" presentation

Completed our first blocking rehearsal for Scene 1.  Get blocking from your stage manager or your technicians.  Survived the "Great Bat Scare of 2010."

Theater II & III: Journal Entry - Day One (1/26)

Write down your impressions upon reading your script with your cast/group.  Make sure to include positive impressions AND negative impressions... This is supposed to be YOUR OPINION.  Please make sure that you think for yourself.

All Theater Classes: Journals

Every student in Theater I, Theater II, and Theater III should bring a journal (a folder or notebook capable of holding three-hole punched papers that has a supply of lined notebook paper in it) to class EVERY DAY.

Every student in Theater I, Theater II, and Theater III should bring a writing utensil to class as well.  This is common sense, folks.  (Theater II and III should make sure that at least one of their writing utensils is a pencil.)

Constructive Criticism/Feedback

A reminder of how to successfully critique your peers' performances and rehearsals during the course of this class:

1. AFFIRMATION

Immediately following the presentation or production, the floor is open for positive feedback only.  Phrase everything in "I" statements ("I liked," "I saw," "I thought," etc.).  

2. QUESTIONS (from performer to audience)

A time for the performer to ask specific questions about what s/he did and illicit feedback.

3. QUESTIONS (from audience to performer)

Audience members have an opportunity to ask the performer questions about their performance.  These should be NEUTRAL questions (neither positive or negative!) and be specific.  Again, these are questions that are "I" based -- you can only ask questions for YOU.  No generalizations for the group.

4. OPINION

Audience members have the opportunity to offer opinions on how to improve or change the production.  However, in order to be fair, they must make a statement that shows what their opinion is about, THEN ask if the performer is willing to hear it.

Example:

"I have an opinion about how to make the plot clearer to the audience.  Would you like to hear it?"

The performer has the opportunity to say YES (I am willing to hear your idea and will not take offense to it), NO (I don't want to hear your opinion), or MAYBE LATER (I don't want to hear it at this time).

Theater II & III: Intro to Monologues

12/3/09

Theater II & III:

Using the open monologue you've chosen (A, B, or C), answer the following questions in as much detail as possible.  Use details in the monologue and your own creativity to support your choices.

1. Character Description

Using the monologue as a reference, write a character description of the character who is speaking.  This should include any and all details of a characters internal & external traits, their family background, educational background, occupation, general temperament, likes & dislikes, and any other descriptive details that you find necessary.

2. Describe the person (or people) this character is speaking to.  What is the relationship between the character who is speaking and their listeners?

3. What is the inciting incident?  (What has happened?  What event is the speaker talking about?)

4. What experiences of your own can you call on to EMPATHIZE with the character who is speaking?

Theater III ONLY:

5. Write a short monologue that is in CONTRAST to the monologue you have chosen.  For example, if you plan to perform the open monologue as COMEDIC, a contrasting monologue would be DRAMATIC (and vice versa).  This monologue might also serve as the listener's RESPONSE to the original monologue.  (What would the person who has listened to the original monologue say in response to what they've just heard?  Make sure that it CONTRASTS the original monologue!)

Theater III: Observation Paper Deadline Extended!

The deadline for your Observation Paper has been EXTENDED.  The papers are now due on FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010.  This should give you ample time to attend a show and write the paper according to the guidelines of the assignment.

Theater III: Observation Paper Possibilities

Guidelines:

·      Observation papers require you to attend a theatrical production AS AN AUDIENCE MEMBER. (Shows that you perform a role or function in – whether acting or technical – do not count.  See me if you have questions about this.)

·      You must stay for the ENTIRE performance.

·      Take notes on the performance at intermission (if there is one) or immediately following the performance. 

·      The PROGRAM for the show MUST be stapled to your observation paper.  Don’t forget to get a program!

       This paper is about your experience as an audience member.  Write about what happens from START to finish. 

       Guiding questions that must be answered:

 1. Explain the atmosphere of the front of house.  Who sold your ticket?  Was there a box office?  Ushers?  Any concessions (t-shirts, candy, soda, etc)?  Write about your first impression of the theater upon walking in.

2. Describe the atmosphere of the theater itself.  How big was it?  What kind of stage (proscenium, thrust, arena)?  Describe any technical elements that helped you to know the show was about to begin.  How did the audience respond to them?

3. Describe the show.  Give a brief description of the plot and characters.  Could you follow the story line?  Why or why not?  Did anything specifically catch your interest?  What was it?  Was there anything in the show that you wondered about – how something was accomplished on stage (costume changes, props, set)?  What was interesting about the actors’ performances?  Were they believable?  Why or why not?

4. Take a look at the audience.  Who came to see the show?  Describe the audience demographic.  How old are they?  Are there families?  Couples?  Older?  Younger?

5. Describe anything else that you find interesting about the theater, the show (technical or acting), or your experience as an audience member.

Above all, OBSERVE EVERYTHING!!!

Paper requirements:

· Must be 3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced.  No more than 1” margins.  10-12 point font.

·       Must be titled.

·       Must include answers/descriptions that correspond to all of the 5 guiding questions.

·       Show program must be stapled to the final observation paper.

·       Paper is due no later than Friday, January 8.  Papers may be turned in as soon as they are completed.  DO NOT  PUT THIS OFF UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!

Theater II & III: Journal #9 - Position

Theater III: This journal entry must be handed in at the start of class TOMORROW (Tuesday, November 3).

Having read the "evidence" (i.e. the script thus far), which character could you ETHICALLY side with?  (Margaret Narwin or Philip Malloy?) Why?

Use facts to support your position.

Theater III: Observation Paper Deadline Approaches

Theater II: Journal #8 - Character Assumptions

Choose one of the following characters and write what the audience can assume about him or her.  On what do they base their assumptions?

Margaret Narwin

Philip Malloy

Administrator/Intercom voice

Theater III: Don't forget that your OBSERVATION PAPER is due:

Friday, December 11th

45 days left!  Go see a show!  Write your observation paper!

Theater III: Method Acting Teachers Poster Assignment

In this assignment, you will be assigned a partner to work with in researching  one of the following people involved in the teaching of acting.  You have read about method acting during class; sense memory, emotional memory, and action-generated memory are all forms of “The Method."

Choices for research include:

Lee Strasberg

Constantin Stanislavsky

Stella Adler

Sanford Meisner

Uta Hagen

Bertold Brecht

Richard Boleslavski

Your poster must include:

1) A brief summary of your subject’s life

2) A summary of what they taught: What was their “method” of acting?  What did they believe?  When did it become important in history, and why is it still important today?

3) At least 3 images (sketches, images from reliable websites, charts, graphs, etc.)

4) At least 3 online sources of information, and 2 books/print sources

 

Your poster may be any shape or size that you’d like.  I have some materials in the classroom, such as markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, crayons, scissors, construction paper.  If you wish to display your poster on poster board or another material, you must provide that yourself.

You will be given two days of research time in the library, and two days of independent work time in class. Some online resources are listed below. There are many more resources available should you do a search.  I have several books on hand for you to use in the classroom, but no book may leave my room!

(NO WIKIPEDIA, PLEASE!!!)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/stanislavsky_c.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/actors_studio.html

http://www.wic.org/bio/hagen.html

http://www.stellaadler.com/

You will be asked to present your poster to the class on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22.  Please be prepared.

Theater II & III: Greek Theater Notes

Theater II and III Greek Theater notes:

Greek Theater

Or “Tragedy tomorrow, Comedy tonight!”

 

Dionysus:

GREEK DRAMA BEGAN AS A FORM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP TO THE GREEK GOD,  DIONYSUS.

Dionysus and Religious Worship:

DIONYSUS IS THE GOD OF WINE AND VEGETATION.

DIONYSUS WAS BELIEVED TO DIE EACH WINTER AND WAS REBORN IN THE SPRING.

THIS CYCLICAL REVIVAL, WITH THE SEASONAL RENEWAL OF THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH, EMBODIED THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION. 

YEARLY RIGHTS TO DIONYSUS EVOLVED INTO THE STRUCTURED FORM OF GREEK DRAMA

Dionysian Festival:

THE GREATER DIONYSIA WAS HELD FOR FIVE DAYS DURING THE SPRING.

EACH WRITER WOULD PRESENT THREE TRAGEDIES AND A SATYR PLAY.

What word in English is “satyr” similar to?

A SATYR PLAY IS A FARCICAL, OFTEN BAWDY PARODY OF THE GODS AND THEIR MYTHS.

PEOPLE WOULD SIT THROUGH THE PLAYS IN THE THEATER AND WOULD VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE PLAYS BY CASTING BALLOTS. 

Parts of a Greek Tragedy

Your project will require you to have knowledge of the various parts of a traditional Greek tragedy.

Here are some definitions and facts to help your group out!

1. Prologue

A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic.

Example: The “prologue” in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet operates much like a Greek prologue.
“Two households, both alike in dignity, 
    In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, 

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 
    Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes 
    A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life…”

2. Parados

The entering lyric of the Chorus which explains background information.

Example: In Antigone, the entrance of the Chorus tells us that the war has left Antigone’s brothers dead – and that the king has forbidden any burial for one.

3. Episodes

Parts of the play where characters perform/act out the events.

Example: Think of an episode of your favorite TV show.  Actors act out the events – but don’t comment on it.

In a Greek tragedy episode, the only character who can comment on the action is the Chorus.
Think of Bernie Mac in The Bernie Mac Show.

4. Choral Odes

The Chorus speaks about the THEME of the story by using metaphor, simile, or an anecdote.

Example: In musicals, the characters sometimes burst into song to sing about their thoughts about the action of the play.  It’s sort of like that.

5. Exodus

As the characters leave, the Chorus tells us what we should have learned from the story.

Example: The EPILOGUE of a great many Shakespeare plays or the MORAL of the story.
Think of Aesop’s Fables…

Theater III: September 11th assembly

Assembly Need-to-know:

• Wear BLACK pants or blue jeans and a BLACK shirt.   Please look clean, neat, and presentable.
• Report to the auditorium IMMEDIATELY following 1st period for rehearsal.
• Rehearsal is 2nd period.
• Performances are 3rd, 5th and 6th period.
• You will have both A and B lunch to relax.  If you are not leaving campus, you may hang out and eat your lunch in the Black Box.  DO NOT WANDER AROUND THE SCHOOL.  Your options are Black Box, cafeteria, or off campus.
• You MUST go to 7th period for class.
• You are responsible for all work missed.
• The attendance office has been notified of your participation in the assembly.

Theater II and III: Paint by Numbers Outline

Theater II/III assignment:

In groups today, you will start (and possibly complete!) your Paint by Numbers story outline.  

Outlines must include:

1. Setting, hero, villain, problem and solution.
2. At least FIVE (5) events.  Please include all characters involved in each event, as well as any other important details.

You do not need to include specific dialogue.

Outlines are due in class on Tuesday, September 1.