English Department - Council Rock High School South

Class Syllabus

Sheryl L. Miller Hosey

English Department

Council Rock High School South

Directing I Syllabus (2006-07)

In this class you will be constantly working on the marketable skills of acting, directing, writing, reading, and higher-order thinking, as well as developing strategies for decision making, time management and studying. By working together I hope this can be one of the best English classes you’ve ever had. Beyond that, I hope to help you develop your success as a student and as an individual.

Curriculum

I reserve the right to alter this slightly according to class needs and requirements.

The Directing Process

Management/production positions of a theatre company with duties/responsibilities

Play selection

Casting a show

Principles of blocking

How to organize and conduct rehearsals

Production book/budget

Writing

Evaluation of mime, scene, and monologue performances of student actors

Reviews of plays read outside of class

Reviews of productions seen outside of class

Theatre resumes

Director’s journal

Play Production

Analyze a play for production

Direct short mimes, scenes, monologues

Design set, light, costume, prop, make-up plots for a production

Plan a rehearsal schedule

Design a publicity poster and program for a production

Research

Discover sources for plays and technical theatre information

Create a working bibliography of technical, acting, and directing sources

Assessment

Director’s Journal

Conferencing

Design Projects

Directing projects

Oral Presentations

Out-of-class Papers

Homework

Final Exam

Guidelines for Success

What you will need every day:

1. Notebook in which you can take notes, keep handouts, record grades, etc.

2. A pen or pencil and paper.

3. Directing journal.

4. A cooperative attitude

What you should do:

1. Complete all assignments and turn them in on time or be ready for your project.

2. Maintain your directing journal.

3. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all of your work. Work missed while you are absent is due the day you return. Serious long-term illness/absence will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

4. If you are having difficulty in this class, it is your responsibility to seek help. I am available Monday through Thursday after school until 3 PM, unless otherwise noted on the board. You can e-mail me at any time (mh@millerhosey.com). I usually respond to e-mail Monday through Friday between 7 PM and 10 PM; I have no set times during the weekend, but I will check it before Sunday evening whenever possible. Check my Web site www.millerhosey.com for other help.

5. Participate in class. There will be many opportunities to respond to writing, reading, and other students in the class. Take advantage of this.

Grading

Grades will be based on points earned. All points earned for your journal, performances, projects, tests, quizzes, and homework will be added to together for the marking period. Any bonus points earned will then be added. The points earned versus the total points possible will determine your grade. I do not round up; please do not ask. I offer many opportunities for earning extra points. Take advantage of this whenever possible.

A+ = 97-100

A = 93-96 C = 73-77

A- = 90-92 C- = 70-72

B+ = 88-89 D+ = 68-69

B = 83-87 D = 63-67

B- = 80-82 D- = 60-62

C+ = 78-79 F = 59 and below

Rules

1. No food or drinks in class as per Mr. Holland’s request.

2. All late arrivals will be recorded; you get two “free” lates each marking period (within one minute of the bell). The third and subsequent late arrivals will result in detentions (1/2 hour per occurrence).

3. All materials from other classes must be put away. I am very sensitive about this; I work very hard to make the class interesting and fun while we learn, and I refuse to be ignored while you are doing other work. All materials for this class should be out and/or readily available.