An Introduction to Directing
Kelvin High School Drama Department Instructor: Mr. J. Sinclair, B.A., B.Ed
“Love art in yourself and not yourself in art.”
- Konstantine Stanislavski
Welcome to Senior IV Drama – An Introduction to Directing. In this full course you will have an opportunity to see a different part of the theatre than your previous years in drama; the position of director. You will have an opportunity to refine and develop your acting skills, study different directors and their styles, and produce/direct your own shows for public and class performance. Each student, therefore, will be taking a leadership role at some time in the class, and will receive a ‘directing credit’.
Materials required for participation in this Course
Ø A binder, with plenty of looseleaf – we will not be writing notes every class, but we do need paper all the time for notes, activities, and peer marking!
Ø A GOOD writing utensil (black/blue pen)
Ø A highlighter – for script readings, and useful in memorizing lines!
Ø At times we will require you to bring ‘props’ from home to assist you in your shows. These ‘props’ are to be provided by you, and will often add ‘flair’ to a scene, and thus, make the entire performance that much richer to watch. These ‘props’ may be: a music CD, costumes, games, etc.
Ø A great, and willing attitude to try new and risky things!
The Year (subject to change at the discretion of the class and the instructor)
Every unit will have a unit project, mainly a performance, which is indicated in the unit listed. Weeks listed are also approximations as to the time required.
Unit I – Getting to Know You & Introduction of Course (2 weeks) – the actor/director relationship group dynamics, energy building, the importance of relaxation (Tai Chi), the role of the director.
- UNIT PROJECT: THE WARM-UP/EXERCISE ASSIGNMENT
Unit II – What is Directing? (3 weeks) – theory of directing, Stanislavski, collaboration vs. individual instruction, creativity, driving the show.
- UNIT PROJECT: THE COLLECTIVE CREATION
Unit III – The Director’s Playbook (1 week) – effective rehearsal, construction, creation, delivery
- UNIT PROJECT: ASSIGNMENT OF SPRING PRODUCTION PLAYBOOK
Unit IV – Proscenium Theatre (2 weeks) – scripts chosen by directors, actors allocated from class
- UNIT PROJECT: 1ST CHANCE FOR DIRECTING CREDIT – SHOW!
Unit V – Thrust Theatre (2 weeks) – scripts chosen by directors, actors allocated from class
- UNIT PROJECT: 2ND CHANCE FOR DIRECTING CREDIT – SHOW!
Unit VI – Theatre in the Round (2 weeks) – scripts chosen by directors, actors allocated from class
- UNIT PROJECT: 3rd CHANCE FOR DIRECTING CREDIT – SHOW!
Unit VII – Directing Through Mime & Improv (1 week) – helping your actors to create character, take risks, and stretch their acting range!
- UNIT PROJECT: PLAYBOOKS DUE & SHOW ASSIGNMENTS GIVEN!!!
Unit VIII – Bringing it ALL Together… (5 weeks) – KELVIN SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL!
- UNIT PROJECT: ONE -ACT SHOWS SELECTED, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY THE KELVIN S4 DRAMA CLASS DURING THE SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL, JUNE 2-6, 2003. NOTE: THERE WILL BE ONE WEEK AFTER THE FESTIVAL WEEK, THIS WILL BE USED FOR REFLECTION, MARKS, AND MAYBE, POSSIBLY, PERHAPS… A… (AHEM)… SOCIAL GET-TOGETHER…
Class Rule
There is ONLY one class rule: RESPECT.
i) You must respect yourself as an artist. This means that you must respect your capabilities and skills both as a student and as a person. You show respect for yourself by showing up to class on time (so you do not miss any instruction), prepared (having homework done, bringing the appropriate materials, etc.), ready to listen (not speak when others are trying to teach or share), and willing to try new things (by respecting that you will not always ‘master’ things from the very beginning). This also means respecting that learning is a process ALL artists go through.
ii) You must respect that every other class member in this room is an artist. This means that you will have to give all other people in this room the same respect that they give you. In an environment where artists are respected for the hard work they do and try the maximum learning and improvement can take place. This means that we have to respect that there are alternative ways of seeing the world than ours, and inappropriate language, racist, homophobic, sexist, and comments meant to inflict harm are not tolerated.
iii) You must respect the home of our ‘art’, the theatre. Our environment is where we create our art, and this environment shapes our thinking. Therefore, we must take care of it. There can be no food or drinks brought into class, only water. If this is an issue, please speak to me.
iv) You must respect the rules and policies of this school. The policies and procedures of the school are there to protect the safety and security of all of its community members. You are required to read all school policies and procedures as found in your ‘Course Information’ Booklet. I especially encourage you to read the policies on sexual harassment, plagiarism, attendance, bullying, and drug/alcohol use.
Drama is a subject requiring commitment and support in order for it to thrive and truly be a learning experience for all concerned. Being an effective artist, therefore, means that you have a responsibility to play your part not only onstage, but in rehearsal as well. This means that missing a class is not like missing a class in other subjects, where you can ‘just catch up’. If you miss a class, whether it be for a legitimate reason or not, you have missed the direction and the instruction, and rarely can you ever ‘catch up’. Therefore, if you choose to miss a class, you do so by effecting not only yourself, but your fellow actors, and in many cases, the eventual show that results in not only your, but your other classmate’s marks. All absences, therefore, must be communicated to me, Mr. S., either in advance, by calling the school and leaving a message specifically for me, or by email: jsincla@mts.net.
It is virtually impossible to fail this course, as the predominant marking is done through participation and risktaking. All Units and the exam must be completed, however, for an individual to pass the course. NOTE: each student must OBTAIN AND PASS their ‘Directing Credit’ to receive credit for the course.
60% Daily Participation, Unit Final Projects & Directing Credit (performance during warm-ups and drills, group work and cooperation, audience participation and respect, mastery of skills, support for class/group, dependability, peer director evaluations throughout the year, actor evaluations of director, etc.)
10% Risktaking (leadership, creativity, trying something new, whether it be new characters, scenes, etc.)
30% Final Exam – Participation in the Kelvin Spring Arts Festival. This can take many forms, whether it be as a tech worker, actor, director, stage manager, etc. The format of this marking will be from the role selected between the directors, the actors, and the instructor.