Theatre Production Grading Policy/Requirements
THEATRE PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS:
All students accepted into theatre production need to understand that theatre production is just like band or any sports team. All theatre production members are required to attend all after school rehearsals, performances or clinics. The production of theatre is how you get your grade. If you miss a major grade (performances, clinics, after school rehearsal before a performance) you will have to complete the make-up work within the required time period. Students who become non-productive will be removed from theatre production. If you don’t have an acting role in the play there are always opportunities to be productive on the technical side of theatre. Visit the theatre production website, for more information, located on the theatre page.
NOTIFICATION:
Students who cannot attend a performance or outside of school rehearsal MUST notify the director in advance. Students or parents may email the director at ([email protected]). The director will make the determination if the absence is “excused” or “unexcused” based on the nature of the absence. Work or lack of transportation cannot be considered a legitimate excuse for absence. In most cases the only accepted excuses for a performance (major grade) will be death or sickness.
ATTENDANCE:
DAILY WORK: 40%: The daily grade is the cumulative class participation grade. The student will receive a grade of 100% each day a grade is taken provided he/she is in class on time and prepared. The student must follow all rehearsal guidelines. The student must participate the full rehearsal period.
UNEXCUSED TARDY: Tardiness will result in a 70% grade for the day (out of school rehearsal). A student is tardy if they are not in the warm up circle on time at the beginning of rehearsal.
EXCUSED TARDY: An excused tardy (special circumstances worked out between student/parent/ guardian and director in advance or between teachers) will NOT result in the lowering of the daily grade.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: An unexcused absence from outside of school rehearsal will be recorded as a daily grade of zero until a signed note, email or text or email from a parent guardian is received, making the absence excused. Unexcused absence grades cannot be made up.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: An absences is excused only if a note, email or text is received by the director from a parent/ guardian prior to the absences. Excused absences will not result in the lowering of the daily grade.
MAJOR WORK: 60% - All performances, clinics, tech and dress rehearsals one week prior to the first performance.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Any absence from any public performance, clinic or final rehearsal (one week prior to the first performance) will result in a zero, unless arrangements are made between the student and director. At that point, a zero will be given until make up work and parent/guardian signed note is turned in.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: Any absence that does not have a parent/guardian note, email or text explaining the absence. Make up work will not be accepted for unexcused absences.
MAKE UP WORK:
Make up work is for excused absences only. Make up work is posted on the theatre website or from the director. Make up work is due one week (or before) after the absence and MUST have a parent note or email explaining the reason for absence, a grade of zero will be recorded at the time of the absence and replace when the parent/guardian note, text or email (explaining the reason for the absence) and make up work is turn in. Credit will not be give to make up work turned in after the one week period following the absence, a major grade of zero will remain in the grade book. Make up work turned in without a note, email or text from the parent/guardian will NOT be accepted.
NON PRODUCTIVE STUDENTS:
Students who are not productive either in the acting or technical side of theatre production will be removed from the class. Students who are not productive can move into a Theatre 1 class that is less production oriented. This will allow the student to remain in theatre but be in a less demanding class and still receive their fine art elective, if needed. Theatre production basically operates the same way as band or any athletic sport.
UIL OAP CASTING AND PARTICIPATION:
because UIL limits the number of students who can be involved in a company the size of a UIL OAP Company will be smaller than a normal MTC production. Those students who participate in the fall productions as actors and technicians and show the best dedication, work ethic and performance quality will have the best chance at making the UIL OAP Company. Students who are cast as alternates will travel to all contest and clinics unless too many rehearsals have been missed.
Students missing a total of 5 rehearsals (unless caused by unusual circumstances) will not be allowed to travel with the company to clinics or contests and will lose whatever acting or technical roles they have.
COSTUME RENTALS:
When costumes are rented students will be responsible for paying for any costume or costume accessory.
PRODUCTION FEE:
Due to COVID this year production fee is not required for Students. Production fee would normally be $25 per student and is turned in at the beginning of the year before the first production.
FUNDRAISING:
There will be several optional trips throughout the year (see MTC website) available for students. There will be a fundraiser that students can participate in to help raise more for their trips.
MAKE UP WORK FOR EXCUSED MAJOR GRADE ABSENCE:
Write a 2 page typewritten paper on one of the listed people below for each excused absence. A paper must be written for each performance missed; this could be two papers for one absence if there are two performances during one day. In this paper, include a biographical sketch (birth date, early life, education, family relationships, location of residences, death etc.), current events of the time of the person, major works and influences. THE PAPER NEEDS TO BE SINGLE SPACED, SIZE 12 FONT AND ONE INCH MARGINS ON ALL SIDES. Other topics may be arranged with director approval. MR. DAVIDS KEEPS ALL PAPERS ON FILE, DO NOT TURN IN A PAPER ALREADY SUBMITTED.
THEATRE PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS:
All students accepted into theatre production need to understand that theatre production is just like band or any sports team. All theatre production members are required to attend all after school rehearsals, performances or clinics. The production of theatre is how you get your grade. If you miss a major grade (performances, clinics, after school rehearsal before a performance) you will have to complete the make-up work within the required time period. Students who become non-productive will be removed from theatre production. If you don’t have an acting role in the play there are always opportunities to be productive on the technical side of theatre. Visit the theatre production website, for more information, located on the theatre page.
NOTIFICATION:
Students who cannot attend a performance or outside of school rehearsal MUST notify the director in advance. Students or parents may email the director at ([email protected]). The director will make the determination if the absence is “excused” or “unexcused” based on the nature of the absence. Work or lack of transportation cannot be considered a legitimate excuse for absence. In most cases the only accepted excuses for a performance (major grade) will be death or sickness.
ATTENDANCE:
DAILY WORK: 40%: The daily grade is the cumulative class participation grade. The student will receive a grade of 100% each day a grade is taken provided he/she is in class on time and prepared. The student must follow all rehearsal guidelines. The student must participate the full rehearsal period.
UNEXCUSED TARDY: Tardiness will result in a 70% grade for the day (out of school rehearsal). A student is tardy if they are not in the warm up circle on time at the beginning of rehearsal.
EXCUSED TARDY: An excused tardy (special circumstances worked out between student/parent/ guardian and director in advance or between teachers) will NOT result in the lowering of the daily grade.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: An unexcused absence from outside of school rehearsal will be recorded as a daily grade of zero until a signed note, email or text or email from a parent guardian is received, making the absence excused. Unexcused absence grades cannot be made up.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: An absences is excused only if a note, email or text is received by the director from a parent/ guardian prior to the absences. Excused absences will not result in the lowering of the daily grade.
MAJOR WORK: 60% - All performances, clinics, tech and dress rehearsals one week prior to the first performance.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Any absence from any public performance, clinic or final rehearsal (one week prior to the first performance) will result in a zero, unless arrangements are made between the student and director. At that point, a zero will be given until make up work and parent/guardian signed note is turned in.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: Any absence that does not have a parent/guardian note, email or text explaining the absence. Make up work will not be accepted for unexcused absences.
MAKE UP WORK:
Make up work is for excused absences only. Make up work is posted on the theatre website or from the director. Make up work is due one week (or before) after the absence and MUST have a parent note or email explaining the reason for absence, a grade of zero will be recorded at the time of the absence and replace when the parent/guardian note, text or email (explaining the reason for the absence) and make up work is turn in. Credit will not be give to make up work turned in after the one week period following the absence, a major grade of zero will remain in the grade book. Make up work turned in without a note, email or text from the parent/guardian will NOT be accepted.
NON PRODUCTIVE STUDENTS:
Students who are not productive either in the acting or technical side of theatre production will be removed from the class. Students who are not productive can move into a Theatre 1 class that is less production oriented. This will allow the student to remain in theatre but be in a less demanding class and still receive their fine art elective, if needed. Theatre production basically operates the same way as band or any athletic sport.
UIL OAP CASTING AND PARTICIPATION:
because UIL limits the number of students who can be involved in a company the size of a UIL OAP Company will be smaller than a normal MTC production. Those students who participate in the fall productions as actors and technicians and show the best dedication, work ethic and performance quality will have the best chance at making the UIL OAP Company. Students who are cast as alternates will travel to all contest and clinics unless too many rehearsals have been missed.
Students missing a total of 5 rehearsals (unless caused by unusual circumstances) will not be allowed to travel with the company to clinics or contests and will lose whatever acting or technical roles they have.
COSTUME RENTALS:
When costumes are rented students will be responsible for paying for any costume or costume accessory.
PRODUCTION FEE:
Due to COVID this year production fee is not required for Students. Production fee would normally be $25 per student and is turned in at the beginning of the year before the first production.
FUNDRAISING:
There will be several optional trips throughout the year (see MTC website) available for students. There will be a fundraiser that students can participate in to help raise more for their trips.
MAKE UP WORK FOR EXCUSED MAJOR GRADE ABSENCE:
Write a 2 page typewritten paper on one of the listed people below for each excused absence. A paper must be written for each performance missed; this could be two papers for one absence if there are two performances during one day. In this paper, include a biographical sketch (birth date, early life, education, family relationships, location of residences, death etc.), current events of the time of the person, major works and influences. THE PAPER NEEDS TO BE SINGLE SPACED, SIZE 12 FONT AND ONE INCH MARGINS ON ALL SIDES. Other topics may be arranged with director approval. MR. DAVIDS KEEPS ALL PAPERS ON FILE, DO NOT TURN IN A PAPER ALREADY SUBMITTED.
Rehearsal/Performance guidelines
(All company members are required to read and follow these guidelines, failure to do so could result in removal from the company)
1. A positive attitude is everything! Treat your fellow actors and directors with respect. If we don’t all get along there is no way we can produce a successful theatre.
2. If you think this is something you do not want to do – please remove yourself quickly, because the longer you wait to leave, the harder it is on the production and your fellow actors.
3. Don’t create problems - create solutions.
4. Be on time for rehearsal. If you are going to miss be sure to email one of the directors: For actors ([email protected]) and for techies ([email protected]). This needs to happen prior to rehearsal.
5. No food or drinks on stage AT ALL, unless directed to do so by Mr. Davids or Ms. Graham
6. The director should not have to tell you to warm up.
7. Listen to your stage manager and or assistant stage manager when they are giving you direction directly from the director. They will respect you, please respect them back.
8. ALL COMPANY MEMBERS MUST CHECK IN WITH THE STAGE MANAGER BEFORE REHEARSAL. IF A COMPANY MEMBER LEAVES BEFORE THE REHEARSAL IS OVER THE COMPANY MEMBER MUST FIRST HAVE PERMISSION FROM MR. DAVIDS AND THEN SIGN OUT WITH THE STAGE MANAGER.
9. Check the theatre Instagram page. ALL important information is posted there.
10. Always bring a pencil and your script to rehearsal.
11. Pay attention during rehearsal. Know when it is your time on stage. Do not have the director or stage manager have to come find you.
12. Be a directable actor! What does that mean? Trying anything the director asks you to do with a good attitude.
13. There is a time for everything. Please learn when it is time have fun and when it is to FOCUS.
14. NO HORSE PLAY OR TALKING BACKSTAGE DURING REHEARSAL.
15. Your goal as an actor is to always take risks and find new ways of doing things – be creative and original don’t be afraid to try something new.
16. BE BIG! In all your acting choices and with your voice. Your goal as an actor should be to have the director tell you to turn it down (vocally and physically), but don’t be so big that you are not believable.
17. YOUR CHARACTER MUST BE BELIEVABLE, REAL AND HONEST.
18. NEVER use the word CAN’T. We can do anything in theatre with our imagination.
19. Your creative ideas are always welcome and encouraged – but remember the director has the final say.
20. ALWAYS hang up your costume, put your shoes, hats, wigs, props and anything else in the proper places!!!
21. NEVER TOUCH ANYONE’S PROP – EVER!
22. DO NOT GO INTO THE COSTUME SHOP WITHOUT PERMISSION!
23. ACTORS and TECHIES are equal. Theatre would not happen without both working together to create ART!
24. Learn your lines by the “lines off” date. You will not be able to work well on stage until your hands and focus are free of the script.
25. Never break character!
26. You MUST maintain passing grades in all classes to participate in theatre. It’s just like sports. NO PASS, NO PLAY & NO PASS, NO ONE-ACT PLAY!
27. Bring your homework to rehearsal; there will be times you can work on it.
28. Seniors lead well, the underclassmen are watching and so are we. If you don’t lead by example, I will look to underclassmen for leadership.
29. Give equal time to all activities (band/sport etc.). I will be flexible but remember when I give I expect you to give back.
30. Techies: keep quite backstage or in the shop while you are working– always have all doors closed, if you do not have anything to do come and ask us.
31. Measure twice, cut once – lumber is not cheap!
32. Eat before rehearsal – or have it finished when warm ups begin.
33. DO NOT horseplay in the black box, theatre, shop or wings. Tech if you have nothing to do work with another crew.
34. Watch the time and clean up so that everything is put away and clean by the end of rehearsal. Clean up means putting up all your tools and leaving the shop clean. If using the Black Box for rehearsal make sure it is put back in order to have class the next morning.
35. Those techies that work the hardest and attend the most rehearsals will be ones that are picked for the official OAP crew members– remember the State will only allow 5 techies participate backstage in OAP.
36. Remember problems CAN be solved with communication. OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, COME AND TALK TO US!
37. All students must maintain a positive attitude toward the production, fellow company members and the director. (i.e. gossip, trash talk, negative hurtful comments about any company member/director or to any company member/director). Remember both verbal and non-verbal negative communication is looked at the same.
38. Alternates/Understudies are very important to the production. Alternates/understudies will fill in for actors who are not present during rehearsals or performances and will permanently replace actors who leave the production. Alternates/understudies who have shown the most dedication and have the best rehearsal attendance will be the first to step in a role.
37. Have FUN – if this is not fun it is not worth doing – but remember we do have a goal of a producing a quality production – and if we don’t, that certainly will not be any fun.
39. If you break it - fix it (if you can), if you mess it up - clean it up, if you get it out - put it up!!
40. Our goal is to get to STATE in OAP and create and tell an entertaining story to our audience through believable acting, well built sets and precise technical execution in all of our productions. If all of this happens we will be successful and remember: “The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep being a success."
(All company members are required to read and follow these guidelines, failure to do so could result in removal from the company)
1. A positive attitude is everything! Treat your fellow actors and directors with respect. If we don’t all get along there is no way we can produce a successful theatre.
2. If you think this is something you do not want to do – please remove yourself quickly, because the longer you wait to leave, the harder it is on the production and your fellow actors.
3. Don’t create problems - create solutions.
4. Be on time for rehearsal. If you are going to miss be sure to email one of the directors: For actors ([email protected]) and for techies ([email protected]). This needs to happen prior to rehearsal.
5. No food or drinks on stage AT ALL, unless directed to do so by Mr. Davids or Ms. Graham
6. The director should not have to tell you to warm up.
7. Listen to your stage manager and or assistant stage manager when they are giving you direction directly from the director. They will respect you, please respect them back.
8. ALL COMPANY MEMBERS MUST CHECK IN WITH THE STAGE MANAGER BEFORE REHEARSAL. IF A COMPANY MEMBER LEAVES BEFORE THE REHEARSAL IS OVER THE COMPANY MEMBER MUST FIRST HAVE PERMISSION FROM MR. DAVIDS AND THEN SIGN OUT WITH THE STAGE MANAGER.
9. Check the theatre Instagram page. ALL important information is posted there.
10. Always bring a pencil and your script to rehearsal.
11. Pay attention during rehearsal. Know when it is your time on stage. Do not have the director or stage manager have to come find you.
12. Be a directable actor! What does that mean? Trying anything the director asks you to do with a good attitude.
13. There is a time for everything. Please learn when it is time have fun and when it is to FOCUS.
14. NO HORSE PLAY OR TALKING BACKSTAGE DURING REHEARSAL.
15. Your goal as an actor is to always take risks and find new ways of doing things – be creative and original don’t be afraid to try something new.
16. BE BIG! In all your acting choices and with your voice. Your goal as an actor should be to have the director tell you to turn it down (vocally and physically), but don’t be so big that you are not believable.
17. YOUR CHARACTER MUST BE BELIEVABLE, REAL AND HONEST.
18. NEVER use the word CAN’T. We can do anything in theatre with our imagination.
19. Your creative ideas are always welcome and encouraged – but remember the director has the final say.
20. ALWAYS hang up your costume, put your shoes, hats, wigs, props and anything else in the proper places!!!
21. NEVER TOUCH ANYONE’S PROP – EVER!
22. DO NOT GO INTO THE COSTUME SHOP WITHOUT PERMISSION!
23. ACTORS and TECHIES are equal. Theatre would not happen without both working together to create ART!
24. Learn your lines by the “lines off” date. You will not be able to work well on stage until your hands and focus are free of the script.
25. Never break character!
26. You MUST maintain passing grades in all classes to participate in theatre. It’s just like sports. NO PASS, NO PLAY & NO PASS, NO ONE-ACT PLAY!
27. Bring your homework to rehearsal; there will be times you can work on it.
28. Seniors lead well, the underclassmen are watching and so are we. If you don’t lead by example, I will look to underclassmen for leadership.
29. Give equal time to all activities (band/sport etc.). I will be flexible but remember when I give I expect you to give back.
30. Techies: keep quite backstage or in the shop while you are working– always have all doors closed, if you do not have anything to do come and ask us.
31. Measure twice, cut once – lumber is not cheap!
32. Eat before rehearsal – or have it finished when warm ups begin.
33. DO NOT horseplay in the black box, theatre, shop or wings. Tech if you have nothing to do work with another crew.
34. Watch the time and clean up so that everything is put away and clean by the end of rehearsal. Clean up means putting up all your tools and leaving the shop clean. If using the Black Box for rehearsal make sure it is put back in order to have class the next morning.
35. Those techies that work the hardest and attend the most rehearsals will be ones that are picked for the official OAP crew members– remember the State will only allow 5 techies participate backstage in OAP.
36. Remember problems CAN be solved with communication. OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, COME AND TALK TO US!
37. All students must maintain a positive attitude toward the production, fellow company members and the director. (i.e. gossip, trash talk, negative hurtful comments about any company member/director or to any company member/director). Remember both verbal and non-verbal negative communication is looked at the same.
38. Alternates/Understudies are very important to the production. Alternates/understudies will fill in for actors who are not present during rehearsals or performances and will permanently replace actors who leave the production. Alternates/understudies who have shown the most dedication and have the best rehearsal attendance will be the first to step in a role.
37. Have FUN – if this is not fun it is not worth doing – but remember we do have a goal of a producing a quality production – and if we don’t, that certainly will not be any fun.
39. If you break it - fix it (if you can), if you mess it up - clean it up, if you get it out - put it up!!
40. Our goal is to get to STATE in OAP and create and tell an entertaining story to our audience through believable acting, well built sets and precise technical execution in all of our productions. If all of this happens we will be successful and remember: “The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep being a success."