Hello WNHS Drama and Stagecraft Families!
Here is a little update on what has been going on and what is coming up in classes!
Here is a little update on what has been going on and what is coming up in classes!
Stagecraft
Stagecraft students have been in the process of learning about the tools and equipment within the auditorium over the last week and a half so that we can get one step closer to starting the build for our Fall play, Blithe Spirit.
This unit contains two MANDATORY Summative note portfolios, as well as one mandatory Formative quiz on the material. Since it is a safety and equipment unit, I take the completion of these items very seriously, to ensure that students can have a safe and productive year. The first portfolio the, ? TLMS1: Stages, Tools, Lumber, Materials, and Safety Portfolio is due this Friday, September 30th by 11:59pm. Students should already have 70% of the portfolio completed if they have been using their class time and completing the documents with the class. We will also have two days with copious amounts of work time to ask questions and finish any missing items. Please check in with your students to make sure they have this completed by the end of the week, and if they need more assistance, feel free to reach out. During the safety until, my #1 priority is students getting the correct information, so I am happy to help in any way I can.
Later this week, students will be asked to take a Formative quiz on the material we have learned about (after completing two in class reviews). This quiz will help determine crew placement for the Fall build. Since there are a limited number of spots on each crew (set, paint, lights, wardrobe, props, publicity) we fill them on a first come, first serve basis. Students who score with a 'B' or 'Proficient' will get first choice placement. The quiz is repeatable as many times as they need in order to reach the target, and students with other accommodations are already taken into consideration to make sure the process is equitable.
By the end of this week, students will be placed in their crews and begin the second MANDATORY Summative notes portfolio, the ? TLMS3: Fall Crew Safety Portfolio with crew specific tools and safety items. These portfolios are due Friday, October, 7th by 11:59pm and are also a requirement to be able to get up and build with their crews.
As a reminder for all students and parents. Due dates are clearly listed on the assignments themselves in Google Classroom, on the Agenda, and in the class Google Calendar.
Next week, we will begin our research and designs for our Fall play Blithe Spirit and will be on our way to the performances in November. Progress photos will be shared throughout the process!
This unit contains two MANDATORY Summative note portfolios, as well as one mandatory Formative quiz on the material. Since it is a safety and equipment unit, I take the completion of these items very seriously, to ensure that students can have a safe and productive year. The first portfolio the, ? TLMS1: Stages, Tools, Lumber, Materials, and Safety Portfolio is due this Friday, September 30th by 11:59pm. Students should already have 70% of the portfolio completed if they have been using their class time and completing the documents with the class. We will also have two days with copious amounts of work time to ask questions and finish any missing items. Please check in with your students to make sure they have this completed by the end of the week, and if they need more assistance, feel free to reach out. During the safety until, my #1 priority is students getting the correct information, so I am happy to help in any way I can.
Later this week, students will be asked to take a Formative quiz on the material we have learned about (after completing two in class reviews). This quiz will help determine crew placement for the Fall build. Since there are a limited number of spots on each crew (set, paint, lights, wardrobe, props, publicity) we fill them on a first come, first serve basis. Students who score with a 'B' or 'Proficient' will get first choice placement. The quiz is repeatable as many times as they need in order to reach the target, and students with other accommodations are already taken into consideration to make sure the process is equitable.
By the end of this week, students will be placed in their crews and begin the second MANDATORY Summative notes portfolio, the ? TLMS3: Fall Crew Safety Portfolio with crew specific tools and safety items. These portfolios are due Friday, October, 7th by 11:59pm and are also a requirement to be able to get up and build with their crews.
As a reminder for all students and parents. Due dates are clearly listed on the assignments themselves in Google Classroom, on the Agenda, and in the class Google Calendar.
Next week, we will begin our research and designs for our Fall play Blithe Spirit and will be on our way to the performances in November. Progress photos will be shared throughout the process!
Drama I
Last week, Drama I students finished their first performances of the year, showcasing some of the class expectations we created together and why they are important to a Drama class. The kids did a great job and hopefully we now have some of those first performance jitters out of the way!
This week we are starting our voice work unit. Over the next week, students will be learning about proper vocal technique for the stage and how to create character voices. They will be taught various exercises and games to help practice these new skills and then will begin their Summative project, "Spooky Radio Broadcasts" which is a class favorite!
Students get to choose a partner or work independently to create an old-time radio spooky show that is performed just before Halloween. This will allow them to practice proper projection, articulation, and character voice creation while putting their own spin on the radio show genre.
This year I hope to record performances and share them with you, so stay tuned!
Here is an example of the style of radio show students will be creating:
This week we are starting our voice work unit. Over the next week, students will be learning about proper vocal technique for the stage and how to create character voices. They will be taught various exercises and games to help practice these new skills and then will begin their Summative project, "Spooky Radio Broadcasts" which is a class favorite!
Students get to choose a partner or work independently to create an old-time radio spooky show that is performed just before Halloween. This will allow them to practice proper projection, articulation, and character voice creation while putting their own spin on the radio show genre.
This year I hope to record performances and share them with you, so stay tuned!
Here is an example of the style of radio show students will be creating:
As a reminder now that we will be getting into daily rehearsals for the voice unit, students will receive a Formative weekly rehearsal grade to assess how they used their time and their progress/improvements for the week. The rubric can be found below. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Drama II/III/IV
Rehearsals for our basic skill review scenes have been underway and Drama II/III/IV students will be performing this Thursday and Friday!
That means next week, we will be moving on to one of the favorite units of the year, the Drama III written spooky-inspired scenes. Drama III students will be writing a short script inspired by a famous horror/thriller author (including children's Halloween stories). Drama II students will learn about auditioning and choosing a monologue, and will then audition and be cast in the Drama III scripts. Drama III students will then direct their group of Drama II students over a few weeks in preparation for a final performance (hopefully with costumes and basic lighting) that we can record and share out. Progress photos will be shared!
During this time, Drama IV students will discover how theatre is often used to discuss social issues, and will research and pick a topic of their choosing to write a scene about. They will write and direct themselves towards a final performance. Topics from the past include substance abuse, mental health, immigration/differing cultures, and disability awareness, and it has been a great opportunity for Drama IV students to research issues they feel passionate about and use theatre as a medium to share that passion with others.
As a reminder now that we will be getting into daily rehearsals for the voice unit, students will receive a Formative weekly rehearsal grade to assess how they used their time and their progress/improvements for the week. The rubric can be found below. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
That means next week, we will be moving on to one of the favorite units of the year, the Drama III written spooky-inspired scenes. Drama III students will be writing a short script inspired by a famous horror/thriller author (including children's Halloween stories). Drama II students will learn about auditioning and choosing a monologue, and will then audition and be cast in the Drama III scripts. Drama III students will then direct their group of Drama II students over a few weeks in preparation for a final performance (hopefully with costumes and basic lighting) that we can record and share out. Progress photos will be shared!
During this time, Drama IV students will discover how theatre is often used to discuss social issues, and will research and pick a topic of their choosing to write a scene about. They will write and direct themselves towards a final performance. Topics from the past include substance abuse, mental health, immigration/differing cultures, and disability awareness, and it has been a great opportunity for Drama IV students to research issues they feel passionate about and use theatre as a medium to share that passion with others.
As a reminder now that we will be getting into daily rehearsals for the voice unit, students will receive a Formative weekly rehearsal grade to assess how they used their time and their progress/improvements for the week. The rubric can be found below. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!
Drama Club
Rehearsals for this year's Fall play Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward are officially underway! We have had great turn out for after school tech crews so far, and hope to keep that momentum going throughout the year. As a reminder, students are welcome ANY days they can come and as often or as little as they would like. We are just happy to have the help!
Crews meet on the following days from 3:15-4:30/5:00:
Tickets for Blithe Sprit go on sale THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST! So don't miss out and get your tickets in advance by going to northstarplayers.ludus.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
Stay turned for musical audition info in the coming weeks!
Crews meet on the following days from 3:15-4:30/5:00:
-
Monday & Wednesday
- Paint Crew
- Wardrobe Crew
-
Tuesday & Thursday
- Lights Crew
- Set Crew
-
Wednesday & Friday
- Props Crew
Tickets for Blithe Sprit go on sale THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST! So don't miss out and get your tickets in advance by going to northstarplayers.ludus.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
Stay turned for musical audition info in the coming weeks!