The High School Theatre Teacher's Survival Guide

by Ames; Raina S.

• ISBN13: 9780878302017
• ISBN10: 0878302018
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-09-22
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

High school theatre programs are vigorous and growing, but many theatre teachers - drawn from English, speech, or other departments - lack degrees in theatre. For them, as well as for the seasoned teaching veteran, Raina Ames provides an indispensable companion. "The High School Theatre Teacher's Survival Guide" is a handy reference for high school theatre teachers covering both curricular and extracurricular problems - everything from how to craft a syllabus for a theatre class to what to say to parents about a student's participation in a school play. In ten concise chapters, Raina Ames lays out a range of issues and situations, and offers practical suggestions for handling them professionally and humanely. "The Guide "covers both specific questions about structuring classes, the text of overheads or PowerPoint for classroom instruction, and useful suggestions - such as a 'contract' between student and the theatre program -- for building students' confidence and sense of responsibility within the group effort. With an eye both on the classroom and the rehearsal room, "The High" "School Theatre Teacher's Survival Guide" will be a welcome aid to high school teachers wherever theatre is taught.

Author Biography

Raina S. Ames is Director of Theatre Education for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Hampshire

Table of Contents

Part I Curricular High School Theatre	1	(19)
Developing a High School Theatre Curriculum	3	(4)
Discipline When Dealing with Students	7	(4)
Curricula/Texts	11	(4)
Parent Relationships	15	(2)
Administrator Relationships	17	(2)
Part II Extracurricular High School Theatre---Building an After-School Program	19	(164)
Extracurricular Program Responsibilities and the Value of Saying ``No''	21	(2)
Scheduling and Time Management: Inherent Problems	23	(10)
Casting Issues	33	(4)
Discipline and Ethical Issues	37	(2)
Overview: Maintaining Excellence	39	(144)
Appendices
A Course Syllabi	43	(8)
B Board-Approved Class Proposals	51	(10)
C Sample Schedules	61	(12)
D Sample Audition Form	73	(4)
E Class Assignments, Activities, and Lesson Plan Ideas	77	(16)
F Lecture Notes and Handouts	93	(30)
G Sample Exams: History and Analysis of Theatre	123	(8)
H Sample Grading Rubrics	131	(6)
I Suggested Audition Pieces for Young Actors and Source Guides	137	(6)
J Three Character Analysis Ideas	143	(4)
K Technical Request Form	147	(2)
L Sample Press Releases: Short and Long Formats	149	(4)
M Computer Software	153	(2)
N Performance and Classroom Contracts	155	(6)
O Sample Parental Agreement Letter	161	(4)
P Resources for Teachers	165	(8)
Q Sample Blocking Notation	173	(4)
R Sample Shakespeare Script Cuttings	177	(6)
Bibliography	183	(1)
Selected Bibliography	183	(2)
Index	185