This Week in Theater I: Elizabethan Theater & Shakespeare

Links to JEOPARDY REVIEW:
 First round here! Second round here!
  Elizabethan theater and shakespeare

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This Week in Theater I: 1/17 - 1/20

Mon 1/16: NO SCHOOL!

Tues 1/17: Elizabethan Theater Notes

Wed 1/18: Elizabethan Theater Notes

Thurs 1/19: Specifically Shakespeare

Fri 1/20: Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

Look back here for the Elizabethan/Shakespeare notes later this week!

This Week in Theater I: 1/2 - 1/6

Jan 2: Review of Theater History and intro to Ancient Theatre

Jan 3: Notes/PPT on Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre, Part 1

Jan 4: Notes, Part 2.

Jan 5: Review of Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre

Jan 6: Improv Day

Ancient Theatre: Greek and Roman

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Costume Design Notes

Intro to Costume Design - Theater I

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Tableaus

In your notes:

A tableau is a silent, motionless scene created by actors.  ("Living statue.")


In class, we are creating tableaus based on your neighborhood stories.

Audience expectations and etiquette

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Rehearsal Notes & Procedures: Theater I

Rehearsal procedures: Theater I

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Set Design 101: Notes (3/21)

Set design 101

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1/31 and 2/1

In notes/journal:

What song do you listen to when you feel sad?  Excited?  Worried?  Angry? 
Why?


Sound Design Project/Assignment:

In your notes or on a separate sheet of paper, make a list of 5 songs that you like and that have some deeper meaning beyond the surface (the lyrics are there to make you FEEL something).  Circle ONE song that you want to work with.  Make sure that this song has some meaning to you.
Write out the lyrics, or find them on the internet.  (Make sure to use the RADIO EDIT version!)
Underline any important stuff in the lyrics -- important phrases, words, etc.
Write down the THEME of the song.
Make a list of CHARACTERS that exist within the song.
Write a paragraph that sums up what the song is about to you.

Class Procedure Review Notes

There WILL be a quiz. :-)

Theater I: Class Procedures

Improved Review for the NEW Semester!

Now BIGGER, BETTER… and 50% off the original price!

What’s the point, Yanchak??
Here’s the deal:

1. It’s a new semester.

2. Sometimes it’s good to review.

3. We’re going to be starting some pretty fun and messy stuff, and it’s good to have all the old stuff settled and in place before we get to the new stuff.  Savvy?

Entering the Classroom

1.Enter the room quietly.  

2.Is there a journal entry on the board?  If so, get your journal out!

3.Take your assigned seat.

4.Copy any journals/notes from the board and prepare for class with all your materials.

Raising Hands 101

1.Have a question RELATED TO THE TOPIC in your head.

2.Raise your hand in the air (like so).  Notice the lack of noise.

3.Wait silently to be called on (by me).  

4.When called on, lower your hand (like so).

5.Ask your question & wait for the answer!  A delight!

Other Facts of Note:

When someone else is talking,
please stay silent so we can ALL hear the person talking.

The ceilings are high and the acoustics are awful. L

Respecting People

1.Constructive Criticism = saying difficult things in a way that won’t offend anyone.

2.Safe space = a space where you feel comfortable being who you are, without fear of being hurt emotionally or physically.

3.Theater class = a safe space for constructive criticism

Journals: The Down Low

Do you even grade these?

Yes.  Yes, I do.

In the second semester, your notes become even more important as we start covering subjects like theater criticism and technical theater (lights, set, sound, makeup).

Tardy Procedures

When you come into the classroom after the official start time of class…
YOU ARE TARDY.

If that happens, before you go to your seat, please sign the TARDY LOG.

Student: I was late, but I didn’t sign your log.  So there. 

Ms. Y: So? I still marked you tardy.  That’s how the cookie crumbles.

Exiting the Classroom

When I give you the 5 minute warning, it’s time for CLEAN-UP!

Once your table is clean and your supplies are put away, take your seat.

The folks who have cleaned their tables and who are seated quietly will be dismissed by me.

We’re starting a new unit on technical theater which requires a bunch of messy materials.

I’m not your maid.  For reals.

No one else in this room is responsible for your mess either. J

Hall Pass Permits

1.Raise your hand (see Raising Hands 101).

2.Ask to use the restroom/go to your locker/etc.

3.I will ask for your coupon.

4.You should give it to me.

5. You should then go retrieve the red plastic hall pass from its home near the printer and tardy log.

6. Bring the hall pass to me with your permit.

7. I’ll sign the permit, fill out the pass, and send you on your way.

8. Enjoy your five minutes of freedom in the restroom, at your locker, etc.
When you return, enter quietly and return the hall pass to its home near the printer.

Student Responsibilities

(Yes, you have to write this down.)

Bring all required materials to class EVERY DAY.  Journal, pencil/pen, etc.

Be ready to work as soon as you enter; don’t leave until dismissed.

Follow instructions the first time that I give them, please.

Respect other human beings and their property.

Observe all rules listed in the EHS Student Code of Conduct…

Consequences…

First offense: WARNING.
You’ll sign my happy orange book.

2^nd & 3^rd offense: D-HALL.
Sign the book; D-HALL scheduled.

4^th offense: PARENT CONTACT.
Sign the book. Parent contacted.

5^th offense: REFERRAL.
Sign book.  Referral submitted.

Theater History: Notes

In case you missed it this past week, here are the notes on rituals, storytelling, and dance:

·      Theatre began thousands of years ago, probably before the start of recorded history.

·      Early cultures used ritual, dance and storytelling to communicate.

·      Theatre is one of the HUMANITIES; it attempts to answer the questions: “Who am I?” “Why are we here?” and “Where are we going?”

·      A RITUAL is an action performed REPEATEDLY because of its symbolic significance and its ability to evoke the emotions of those engaged in the performance.

·      Through rituals, early humans wanted to:
- Achieve success in battle and hunting
- Ensure adequate sun and rain
- Express their duty to the community and to the gods

·      Common to all traditional cultures, the shaman is a priestly figure who communicates directly with the gods through rituals for the benefit of the community.

·      Rituals were usually performed by elders, priests or shamans.

·      Our knowledge of early theatre and rituals comes from wall painings, artifacts, and hieroglyphics.

·      Rituals often told a story based on the culture’s beliefs.  These stories were often based on MYTH.

·      Myths gained a life beyond the rituals, and began to be performed for entertainment.

·      Myth, Stories, Rituals BECAME Habit, Tradition BECAME Entertainment which BECAME Theatre!

·      The earliest example of ritual evolving into theatre comes from Ancient Egypt.

The world’s first report of a dramatic production is an Egyptian drama known as the Abydos Passion Play.
- The play at Abydos is the story of the god Osiris.

Myths and stories have been used to entertain and to educate human beings since
the very beginning of spoken language.

• Stories were told in order to:
            - TEACH HISTORY                                                - ENTERTAIN

            - SETTLE ARGUMENTS                                    - HONOR THE GODS
            - MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD                        - COMMUNICATE EXPERIENCES
            - RECORD HISTORY

·      Homer was a blind poet who may have been born on an island in the Aegean Sea (GREEK).

·      He probably composed his works between 700 and 800 B.C.

·      Homer was an ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the
author of the epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

·      Homer was one of the first storytellers to use repetition and dialogue in his stories.

·      Homer’s (and others!)  stories provided many of the ideas and plots for playwrights that came after him!

·      Dance is another probable origin of theatre.

·      Dance comes from:
- animal imitation                        - pantomime
- gymnastics                                    - rhythmic movement

·      Dance was often used as part of rituals.

Theater I students are beginning work on a SUMMATIVE collaborative assignment: the Primitive Theater Project.  Reminder: SUMMATIVE assignments make up 60% of your class grade!  Don't be a slacker in your group!

Theater I: Journal Entries #5, #6, #7 (4/15-4/16)

Journal #5: WORKING INDEPENDENTLY

In what classes are you expected to work independently? What are the rules you are expected to follow?

Journal #6: NOTES

Rehearsals: A How-To Guide

What to Bring With You:

script, pencil, other work to work on!

Rehearsal Procedures

1.Actors & crew members sign in.
(Think: taking roll.)

2.Warm-ups – director’s choice.
Sometimes improv games, sometimes stretches, vocal warm-ups

3.Crew and/or cast set-up.
They get stage set up with furniture, props, etc. Sometimes they’ll just “tape it.”

4. Director gives the start.

Usually, a page number or a line.

5. Actors take places.
They know where they should be on stage!

6. Director gives blocking.

7. ACTORS WRITE THEIR BLOCKING IN THEIR SCRIPT. IN PENCIL ONLY.

Journal #7: PHOTO ANALYSIS

Find a photo of one or two people expressing emotion. (Tip: Look in your textbooks!)

Who are these people? What are they discussing? What emotions do you see?

Theater I: Journal Entries #3 & #4 (4/14)

Journal #3: FIRST DAY

Think back to the first day of school. . .

What did your teachers go over?

What did you DO in class that day?

Journal #4: NOTES

Casting

Choosing the Right People to do the Job

On Casting…

After reading the quotes, why do you think directors believe casting is so important?

“Casting is everything. If you get the right people they make you look good.”

“Casting is 65 percent of directing. “

“Casting is sort of like looking at paintings. You don't know what you'll like, but you recognize it when you see it.

The First Rehearsal

Getting our Act Together

What to Expect:

• The director will distribute scripts.

• The stage manager will go over rehearsal etiquette & expectations.

•Contracts (if any) will be signed/returned.

• Cast and crew introductions will be made.

• Rehearsal schedules will be distributed.

• A contact list will be distributed.

• The cast will do a “read-through,” the initial reading of the script.

Why do you think it’s important to do cast & crew introductions at the first rehearsal?

Why do you think a “contact list” is important to a cast & crew?

Production Meetings

(What do all those techies DO, anyway?)

Production Meeting FACTS…

• Production meetings involve ALL TECHNICAL positions.
• They are held 3-4 times during rehearsal period.

Topics of discussion include:

• Design concepts

• Scheduling

• Overall tech (lights, sound, costumes, etc.)

• Budget

• Publicity

• House management

Name the areas of technical theater that would be included in production meetings.

Theater II & III: Journal #6 - Notes

Notes from today:

Three types of stages and the stage areas...

A proscenium stage has an audience on ONE SIDE.

A thrust stage has an audience on THREE SIDES.

An arena stage (theater-in-the-round) has an audience on ALL SIDES, and is diagrammed like a compass (N, E, W, S, NE, SE, NW, SW, and C) or the face of a clock (digits 1 through 12 and C).

Homework for BOTH Theater II & III:

Listen to and observe 3 different people.  Describe what you see and hear in DETAIL.  DO NOT USE NAMES in your description.  DO NOT MAKE YOUR SUBJECT AWARE OF YOU.  Simply observe and describe.  (Theater II students place this assignment in your journal.  Theater III students will turn in your descriptions to Ms. Y tomorrow.)

Theater I: Journal #6 and Notes

#6: What is Theater? and Notes - 10/13

Answer the following questions in your own words:

1) What is theater?  (i.e. What is the performing art known as theater all about?)

2) What is A theater? (i.e. What is the place called theater?)

Notes from today:

Three types of stages and the stage areas...

A proscenium stage has an audience on ONE SIDE.

A thrust stage has an audience on THREE SIDES.

An arena stage (theater-in-the-round) has an audience on ALL SIDES, and is diagrammed like a compass (N, E, W, S, NE, SE, NW, SW, and C) or the face of a clock (digits 1 through 12 and C).

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…