"The importance of arts education cannot be overstated. The arts prepare students to become well-rounded thinkers and community members and provides them with lifelong skills. In drama class, students learn how to create, collaborate, empathize, communicate, and think critically. Perhaps most importantly, drama class provides a space for students to develop their confidence and self-esteem—which they will carry into all aspects of their lives as they navigate this ever-changing world." Linda Pitt- Studio 58
OTT Theatre Company 10/11/12 Instructor: Robyn Sheppard (rsheppard@sd8.bc.ca) Google Classroom Password: 5iqqumi
This linear course is intended for serious theatre students from grades 10,11 and 12 who through solo and group productions want to apply the practical skills they have learned in their regular drama classes. Because of this year’s health and safety restrictions, there will not be a major school production this year. Nevertheless, Theatre Company 10/11/12 students will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a number of innovative and safe performance venues. Emphasis will be placed on both original and found scripts including monologues, scene work and short one act plays. Students enrolled in this OTT (out of timetable) theatre class will receive one credit. This course is not meant to replace Drama 10 or Drama 11/12. It is strongly recommended that students take both courses in tandem.
Course Details:
Meeting Times: Friday after school from 3:30 – 5:30 Place: LVR Theatre/ Various outdoor locations Beginning Date – Friday, September 25
Units:
Building the Ensemble and Practicing Our Skills
The Capitol Theatre Fundraising Performance Challenge
Film Study: Analysis and Original Scenes/Monologues
Scene Study: Found Material from Classical to Modern
Tinfoil Sky: The Glory of Adaptation – From Prose to Production
Scene Study: Original Scenes – A Covid Cabaret
Ten Minute Plays – Found and Original
LVR Live - Musical Review (Beauty and the Beast)
Passion Projects
Assessment:
Assignment details and assessment criteria will be given in class and posted on our google classroom. Although students will receive input throughout the year, students will receive formal marks twice: in December (end of term three) and again in late May (end of term 7).
Reflection:
For each unit, students are expected to write two entries: the first includes creative brainstorming for each project; the second, a culminating reflection at the end of each unit. Both must be approximately 500 words. This on-line journal is a critical assessment tool used in this course.
ENJOY THE SEASON!
OTT Theatre Company 10/11/12 2020/2021
OTT Theatre Company/Theatre Production 10/11/12 - 2019/2020
This exciting course is intended for theatre students who want to apply the practical skills learned in class to a full scale theatre production. Students will either receive a Company 10/11/12 or a Production 10/11/12 credit depending on whether they are cast in the plays or choosing to work backstage as crew. The course includes auditions, rehearsals, design workshops, set construction, costumes, publicity and the many other aspects involved in creating a theatre production. This course is not meant to replace Drama 10 or Drama 11/12. It is strongly recommended that students take both courses in tandem. Students should note that this course happens outside the timetable. The reality of a theatre production is that it requires absolute commitment to long hours in concentrated blocks of time. Students are required to attend rehearsals and performances. Admission by audition/interview only (mid-October).
Course Design:
Students are expected to work on this year's full lengthproduction which will be performed at the Capitol Theatre April 8-11. In late April, Ott students will travel to Vernon to attend the annual Good Will Shakespeare Festival. Throughout the season, Ott students are expected to attend the scheduled theatre workshops intended to hone specific theatre skills.
Production:
Each year LVR produces a major school play. This year's full length production isthemusical Beauty and the Beast. Based on the Academy Award®-winning Disney animated feature, Beauty and the Beast includes the film’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. LVR students will transport audiences into the story of a special girl named Belle, whose taming of the Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince enthralled Broadway audiences for over 13 years. Please visit the Beauty and the Beast website for more information.
In late April students will travel to the much-loved annual Goodwill Shakespeare Festival in Vernon where they will perform an original piece written by Eirin Murray called Waiting at Pearson Station.
Meetings/Rehearsals:
The 110 hours needed to meet course requirements will include the following:
production meetings and rehearsals beginning in early November (Wednesday and Friday 3:30-5:30)
pre-production, production and post production hours for each play/project
Assessment:
Students must keep a Theatre Production Journal; specific hours spent in pre-production meetings, in rehearsals and in performance must be logged. The journal which includes creative brainstorming and student reflection is a critical assessment tool used in this course. Students will also be assessed on crew and performance skills. Criteria will be set according to the specific project and student role.While this course is linear, students will only receive marks in this course during the second semester reporting sessions.
Welcome to the Season!
OTT Theatre Production Creative Journal
Students in the production class are expected to keep an on-going journal, chronicling the challenges and rewards experienced during preproduction (rehearsals), production (performances) and post-production. Recording your creative journey is essential, not only for me to see your commitment and growth, but also for you to keep track of your blossoming ideas and inspirations. Journalling also helps problem solve when challenges arise during the vigorous demands of producing a play.
What drew you to the course? What have you experienced during this first stage of preproduction? What have you learned? What have you observed about yourself and others? Record any highlights in the rehearsal process this far. What feels challenging; what feels rewarding?
What area of theatre would you like to learn more about? Early next semester, I will meet with you individually to discuss your independent, self-directed OTT Theatre project. Details about this assignment will be given in early January. Simply, reflect on your interests in your journal reflection. For example, a previous student wanted to build a roster of audition monologues which would serve her in the future. She, not only, researched and found inspiring pieces, but she also, wrote two of her own. During the OTT theatre scene night, she performed three of her monologues for an appreciative audience. Another student interested in playwriting, wrote three short absurdist pieces which she then cast and directed. These pieces were also performed at the spring OTT scene night. A student interested in costume design, read The Importance of Being Earnest, and created a detailed costume plot which included drawings of all the main characters with their various costumes and accessories. These individual projects may be performance or research based. The choice is yours.
Weekly Entries:
Beginning in January,OTT students must write a minimum one page (approximately 250 word) journal entry each week. In these short weekly entries, students are intended to record their thoughts, feelings and accomplishments. I will also provide some journal prompts.
If you choose to add to your creative journal, please do so. You may write extra entries, such as a review of a play or movie, some research on a topic of interest, a rough draft of an original monologue or scene. Your entries may also be longer than the minimum requirement.
Choose a journal which best suits you.For example, you may want blank pages, not lined as you have the tendency to record thoughts and ideas visually as well. You may add pictures, collages, found poems, a guest entry from another character, quotations, articles – anything you feel inspires you and helps you build an attachment to your work. Take pride in your creation. Be authentic, honest and disciplined.
PLEASE KEEP UP:This reflection is only worthwhile if it becomes part of your weekly routine. Reflection offers us insight into our growth as artists and performers.
I will collect these journals twice: once on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11and again on FRIDAY, MAY 15. Criteria for evaluation will be discussed in class. Your final grade will be impacted by the quality and commitment you give to documenting your creative journey in this experiential class.
Enjoy!
“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become.” Sandra Marinella