Schedule:

Period 1: Grant Writing
Period 2: Grant Writing
Period 3: Grant Writing
Period 4: Grant Writing
Period 5: H.S. Theater Arts
Period 6: Grant Writing
Period 7: Grant Writing
Period 8: H.S. Theater Arts


Please contact me at
ccouch@shallowaterisd.net or
(806) 832-4535 Ext. 2239 or
(806) 470 - 9940 cell
Please call when I do not have a
theatre class.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and learning process…...The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively. “ Arne Duncan, The Secretary of Education, Washington, DC.
In Shallowater, we are truly blessed to have administration and school board support for the arts.

Theatre Class

Instructor: Cindy Couch Location: Room 303 Fine Arts
Class: M-F
Time: 5th & 8th Periods
Office Phone: 832-4535,
EXT. 2239
Email: ccouch@shallowaterisd.net Cell Phone: 806-470-9940

Course Description:
Theatre offers students the opportunity to explore the role of theatre in society within its cultural, aesthetic, economic, and political manifestations. We will begin with early theatre and travel to the present. The primary goal of the course is to help students increase their understanding of theatrical representation and how theatre can be a unique tool mirroring society.

Course Goals:
• To develop a critical process for reading dramatic literature and seeing theatrical performance.
• To develop a critical and working vocabulary of terms.
• To question prevailing methodologies of theatre practice.
• To explore the interrelationship of theatre to society.
• To understand theatre as a tool for social change.
• To develop students who can work in any capacity of the theatre.

Outcomes: At the completion of this course you will be able to:
• Demonstrate verbally and in writing the nature and role of theatre.
• Demonstrate terminology related to theatre and dramatic literature
• Demonstrate writing themes and ideas relevant to the course’s texts and productions.
• Discern the relationship between form (structure) and content, showing how they reciprocally inform each other.
• Demonstrate the social, political, and economic context surrounding theatrical works
• Articulate and defend your arguments through a studied, engaged, and informed process of reflection.

Required Texts and Materials
Basic Drama Projects (Provided)
Notebook to take notes and for journaling (student provides)
Writing tools (student provides)
Performances:
Each student is required to attend one live theatrical performance.



Course Requirements
All students MUST participate. I realize that some may be reluctant to act on stage; however, that is part of the learning process of this class. A major part of this class is learning to perform in front of peers.
Absence and tardiness will have a detrimental effect on your grade as well as in your other classes. Three tardies equal one absence. Although theatre is an elective, attending class is important. If a student is needed by a core teacher to make up work, he/she must have a note from that teacher or that teacher will need to call me prior to class, extension 2239. Your job is to let me know as soon as possible about any exceptional situations so that we can develop a good strategy for dealing with problems before they magnify.


CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
• Please - no gum chewing, food or drink on stage or at any time in the auditorium unless you have cleared it with me. Water bottles are allowed.
• No cell phones, beepers, pagers, or other electronic devices, please.
• Be seated in the classroom and ready to work when the tardy bell rings
• Students should dress comfortably and appropriately for class every day. Failure to do so could result in loss of credit for a particular day’s activities.
• Students will behave at all times in a respectful manner when others are performing and speaking. Listen to others.
• Students need to have a healthy respect for the Performing Arts Center and treat all areas of the facility in an appropriate manner. Do not touch props, costumes, stage lighting, sound-equipment without permission.
• Behave, be good, show up on time, be ready for every class, prepare your material at home (if it applies), have fun, think outside the box, don’t be afraid to take risks, dare to look stupid…and all will be well!!


Assignments and Grading:
Class Participation/Exercises 40%
Tests/Major productions 60%
There will be various smaller projects and assignments designed to compliment class discussions and exercises. Students in theatre classes will also be taken though the process of creating a production by prop making, music selection, costume design, etc. For productions, students will be expected to participate in out-of-school rehearsals.
Attending the mandatory live performance can be the middle school one act play or the high school one act play.

Assignments and Productions will be posted on line.

This year Shallowater Middle School’s entry for the UIL One Act Play competition is “The Wind in the Willows,” a play about Mr. Toad of Toad Hall who is an automobile fanatic. However, his luck and driving skills create havoc as his best friends, Otter, Badger, Ratty, and Mole try to point him in the right direction. He doesn’t make good choices and falls for the flattering words of a band of weasels. The limit for UIL cast and crew is 23—15 actors, 4 alternates, and 4 crew members. Scripts will be available in the Middle School Office August 31 All students, cast and crew will need to be extremely familiar with the script, have 2-3 characters whom they want to tryout for. They should be familiar enough with the script that they do not stumble over words and understand the plot and the message of the play. Written by Kenneth Grahame, it has been a classic in Europe and the US.
The cast and crew of Wind in the Willows is as follows:
1. Mole Tatum Cagle
2. Rat Graham Nelson
3. Badger Jared Moore
4. Toad Hayden Cobb
5. Jack Weasel Shane Pearson
6. Jen Weasel Hannah Wilkinson Understudy, Maegan Lambright (backstage crew too)
7. Tom Weasel Connor Elston
8. Tilly Weasel Macy McLellan Understudy, Kayla Casali
9. Mrs. Otter Sheree Satterwhite Understudy, Abby Goodwin
10. Portly Otter Paige Williams Understudy, Nathan Caballero
11. Chauffeur/Weasel/Prisoner Tucker Nelson Understudy, Reagan Robbins
12. Policeman/Weasel Conner Dipprey Understudy, Hannah Ayers
13. Jailer/Weasel/Villager Jake McMillin Understudy, Cheyanne Hamilton
14. Penelope/Weasel/Villager Savannah Cunningham Understudy, Bethany Links
15. Weasel Cook Villager/Prisoner Wes Jackson

James McGuire Lights and Sound
Ty Webb Lights and Sound
Parker Sarchet Crew
Mac Olmstead Crew
Paul Hernandez Crew

This year the drama department of Shallowater High School will present The Wizard of Oz. The cast & crew positions are open to any Shallowater High School student The high school Theatre Production students and theatre classes will make up most of the cast; however, we will also take students outside the theatre classes.
The purpose of the production is to raise money for the theatre department. Scripts will be handed out soon from Ms. Couch’s room 303. Listen for announcements and look for notices around the high school. Rehearsals will be on some Saturdays and mornings before school. When the middle school one act contest is over, we will have rehearsals several times during the week and on Sunday afternoons.
Students in Drama Club who do not want to be cast members can help with costumes, sets, props, and advertising / promoting the productions. The first drama club meeting will be announced the first week.

The high school one act play entry will be announced after we have signups in the high school to determine how many people are interested. The class, Theatre Production, counts as 1/2 fine arts credit. All rehearsals take place outside of the school day. Rehearsals are as follows: Sunday afternoons from 2– 4/5PM; Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 / 9:30. One act packets will be available in October. Scripts will also be available during this time. Auditions will take place the week of December 7th. Callbacks will follow. The first contest is March 25.

“The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and learning process…...The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively. “ Arne Duncan, The Secretary of Education, Washington, DC.
In Shallowater, we are truly blessed to have administration and school board support for the arts.

For auditions, students will need to complete a packet, which includes their school schedule, recommendations by teachers, and written permission to be involved in OAP from parents.
Rehearsals for Middle School
Sundays 2-4/5PM
Tuesdays 5-7/8PM
Wednesdays 4-5PM
Contest will be the first week of November.
We will have at least one festival with a critic judge and at least two other schools.
Shallowater Middle School OAP has won district for the past three years.

For auditions, students will need to complete a packet, which includes their school schedule, recommendations by teachers, and written permission to be involved in OAP from parents.
Rehearsals for Middle School
Sundays 2-4/5PM
Tuesdays 5-7/8PM
Wednesdays 4-5PM
Contest will be the first week of November.
We will have at least one festival with a critic judge and at least two other schools.
Shallowater Middle School OAP has won district for the past three years.