Beginning Theatre Syllabus 2017-2018

Poly High School Theater Arts
Home of the Jesters and

Thespian Troupe 2543
2016-2017
Leesa Rankins, Theatre Arts Instructor
Chris MarkerMorse, Theatre Arts Director
Poly High School
5450 Victoria Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Ms. Rankins- Poly (951)788-7203 Ex 64043
lrankins@rusd.k12.ca.us
Mr. MarkerMorse- Poly- (951) 788-7203 Ex 64110
cmarkermorse@rusd.k12.ca.us
Remind (567) 302-2980 or 81010 and message @polytheate
markermorse.weebly.com
Beginning Theater
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is an introductory class that will have students explore the fundamentals of acting and basic
creative and imaginative processes. Through various activities- such as reading, writing, acting exercises, viewing performances,
discussions, and projects- students will have an increased understanding of the historical, cultural, creative, and aesthetic aspects
of theater and performance. Each student will demonstrate basic skills in vocal and physical acting techniques through the use of
scene work, improvisation, theater games and the explorations of various performance styles.
THE SEVEN SCENES OF COMPLETING THE CLASS

1. Do now, warm ups and notes
a. Keep your notes daily and text/email me your notes (electronic in MarkerMorse, paper in Rankins)
b. Fully Participate in Acting Warm Up Activities
c. Each semester, complete 6 assigned Do Now Performance (quick, student-created performance opportunities in
class)
2. Blogging (MARKERMORSE ONLY)
a. About every other weekexcept production weeks. 4 total blogs at http://markermorse.weebly.com/blog-page
3. At-home projects
a. Written papers, PowerPoints or visual-based projects
4. Performance
a. Auditions (1 audition for the entire year!)
b. In Class
i. Scenes, Improvisations and Theater Games
ii. Do Now Performances- Short prep or improvised performance in class: 6 each semester.
c. Main stage, community shows, one acts, and variety shows/showcases
i. From walk-on parts to leads, any part gives credit
d. Outside of Class
i. Comedy Sportz, community theater, church theater, RCC etc.
5. Seeing Shows
a. See Each Poly Main stage production FIVE PER YEAR
b. Attend productions outside of Poly. (RCC, RCP, RCT, IRYT, CBU, UCR, The Box, The Fox, Etc.)- One per
semester.
6. Working on Productions
a. 4 hours of production work each semester (for an A)
7. Final (project-based)
BLOG Each student will respond to 4 blog topics each semester (MarkerMorse only) You are expected to write 5-10 sentences
(1-2 paragraphs) or more on a theatrical or performance topic, with the opportunity to interact with your peers.
http://markermorse.weebly.com/blog-page
DO NOW ACTIVITY Each day will begin with a Do Now activity on the board. At the bell each student is to be at their seat with
their smart phone, tablet or notes open ready to work on their Do Now. Any activity other than Do Now at the beginning of class will
result in detention. Lacking Do Nows for any of the weeks of the term will result in a loss of points. Many of these Do Nows will lead
to a Do Now Performance, a short-term prep or improv-based scene or performance. 5 required for semester one, 7 required for
semester 2.
SCENE WORK All students must perform. Pantomimes, monologues (single performer), and scenes (group performances) will
be prepared and performed each semester. This class is activity based and all students will be required to participate in the
exercises, performances and productions.
LIVE PERFORMANCES Each student will be required to attend the Four (4) Poly Main stage productions each year.
Each student is also asked to attend one outside show each semester. There are outside shows (some we will attend as a
field trip) as well as free invited dress rehearsals at area schools and theaters, and free and discounted theater opportunities
throughout Riverside. In addition, there are home matches of our Comedy Sportz improvisation matches.
For each show, you must complete a theater report form, with different reports formats for different grades.
VOICE and BODY WORK Acting is an art form that requires voice and movement. Both of the aspects will be developed
throughout the year, and all students will demonstrate their abilities in these areas throughout the year.
AUDITION Beginning Theater students are required to go through ONE audition,; all students are encourage to try all auditions.
If you cannot perform in the show, please indicate on the audition sheet you are only auditioning for class assignment purposes.
Here is a list of upcoming audition opportunities:
Shakespeare Audition Workshop- August 31
Midsummer Nights Dream Audition- Tuesday, September 5-Wednesday, September 6
Comedy Sportz Tryouts- Friday, September 8
GhostWalk Audition- Wednesday, September 13
Noises Off Auditions- November 7-8
Love/Sick Auditions January 9-10
Musical Theatre Audition Workshop- February 5
Rock of Ages Auditions February 6-7-8
Plus, various community auditions throughout the year
RESUME (Including extra credit HEADSHOT): All Beginning Theater students will develop an acting resume and will have the
opportunity to get extra credit by having a theater-quality headshot. You can supply your own headshot, or wait until the class
headshots sessions later in the second half of the first semester, or early in the second semester.
USHER/BACKSTAGE/PRODUCTION CREW Students who wish to earn an A in theatre must complete a minimum of 4 hours a
semester working on Poly productions. For a B, students must complete 3 hours of production work a semester.
POLY THEATER/THESPIANS All theater students are invited to join, participate in, and attend meetings of the Poly Theater club
and Thespian Troupe 2543. Meetings will be announced in class, but are generally Wednesday at lunch in the Theater Lab.
Thespians is an honor club for those students who earn points through production, performance, theater competition, theatrical
workshops and conferences, and community work.
RESOURCES Please go to markermorse.weebly.com for updates assignments, projects, blogs and links to relevant website for
theatrical design.
Also, see Riverside Poly Theater Thespian Troupe 2543 page on Facebook.,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/199968666693650/
as well as our Remind/texting service- message @polytheate to 81010
Ms. Leesa Rankins

Mr. Chris MarkerMorse

Beginning Theatre Syllabus 2017-2018

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Poly High School Theater Arts

Home of the Jesters and

THE SEVEN SCENES OF COMPLETING THE CLASS

Plus, various community auditions throughout the year

Ms. Leesa Rankins

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