2 weeks down..

I am 2 weeks into the school year and slowly getting back into the groove. This week had me giving my first set of tests and working with all of my classes with script writing and performance basics..
My advanced group did fairly well on their review test that focued on performance basics, audience etiquette, and theatre terminology that my students should know. The main area they had trouble with was theater lighting, but overal the tests were good. This week they are rehearsing their first scenes. The topic is historical characters or events.. they must remain historically accurate but can focus on scenes that could have happened. It was hard for them to get started, but they have struggled through and are now focusing on their staging and lighting. On Tuesday, we will discuss props and costuming.

My intro. class had horrible first tests. I was actually surprised at how bad they were, but I think the usual problem of having heard that my class was easy is being tested. My class isn't hard, but you have to pay attention and look over noted in order to pass my tests and quizzes. They had their first performances were due Friday, but in one class, every group was missing someone and in the other class, they just were not prepared.

We rehearsed some more and I dealt with my first group arguing because some were prepared and others weren't. One group came to me and said "we quit." I asked "so you want to take a zero on a major project?" "Yes" was their response... I shocked them when I said "sorry.. you canot NOT do your performance." They seemed a bit shocked that they couldn't just quit. I gave them rehearsal space and told them to practice... they did and while theirs will not be a wonderful performance, they will learn that quitting is not an option in my class.

That was my second week. I need to look to see what I want to focus on with my classes this coming week... It is time to start analyzing characters and focus on blocking and movement.