Walsh Middle School
Theatre Arts
3850 Walsh Ranch Drive
Round Rock, Texas 78681
2010-2011 Handbook
Head Director:
Cari Ancelet
6th Grade, Junior Varsity, Varsity
512-704-0832
Cari_Ancelet@roundrockisd.org
Assistant Director:
Christiane Michaelis
Theatre I, 6th Grade
512-704-0831
Christiane_Michaelis@roundrockisd.org
Theatre Handbook:
The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint theatre students and parents with the policies of the Walsh Middle School Theatre program.
Grades:
Grades will be given in the following areas:
Daily Classwork 10%
The Rehearsal Process 30%
Performances 40%
Tests 10%
Audience Etiquette 10%
Walsh Theatre Calendar of Events-
This calendar lists all the dates currently scheduled for Walsh theatre activities for the school year. Some dates may change and/or be added as the year progresses. If this occurs, students will be given updated calendars once changes have been made.
Parental Permission/ Medical Release-
All JV/Varsity theatre students must have this form on file with the theatre office to be allowed to travel with the theatre for contest, festivals, etc. The calendar of theatre events will be printed on the back of this form to allow permission for all activities. This will prevent parents from having to complete a form upon the date of every event.
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FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
The Walsh Middle School Theatre program is enhanced by many extra activities for which the Round Rock ISD or campus funds are not available. Due to this fact, the theater department engages in fund raising activities to help students with cost of trips, awards, scripts, judges, costumes, and royalties.
Students may elect not to participate in fund-raising and have a donation made in his-her name to the theatre department to cover expenses for the year. If a student loses scholastic eligibility and cannot participate in the event, his/her "earned" money cannot be refunded as trip expenses, scripts and awards are incurred regardless of the number participating. We encourage all theater students to participate in fund raising activities.
THEATRE OFFICERS
Theater students have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership
qualities by running for office within each theatre class. These offices are
held by quality students who will be chosen to serve as mediators
Between the directors and the theatre students, assist with activities while maintaining a good spirit, be student leaders in my absence, and attend officer meetings to help plan for the school year.
The offices are as follows:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
AUDITIONS
When you go to meetings or auditions and you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. It is simple but true.
Paula Abdul
I didn't have big movie offers, or any big agents wanting to work with me. I had to go grassroots, start at the bottom and go on 150 auditions before someone finally gave me a shot.
Donnie Wahlberg
The more auditions you go on, the more you will learn not to take it personally.
Paula Abdul
Auditioning is difficult even for the most experienced actor. It is the mission of the Walsh Theatre department to give all students performance opportunities that seek them out, work hard, learn lines and audition. Shows are not pre-cast. Students are not promised parts.
Varsity One Act Auditions: All students in varsity theatre, schedule permitting, will have a chance to participate and perform in the varsity theatre show as well as the one act play festival at the RRISD Performing Arts Center (PAC). Students will be asked to prepare and perform a 1-2 minute monologue that best showcases their strength as an actor. If necessary, cold readings will be used to determine specific parts. Auditions will be video taped. Parts are determined by the theatre arts department.
JV One Act Auditions: All students in Junior varsity theatre, schedule permitting, will have a chance to participate in the JV theatre show at Walsh Middle School and in the One Act Play Festival at CD Fulkes Middle School. Students will be asked to prepare and perform a 1-2 minute monologue that best showcases their strength as an actor. If necessary, cold readings will be used to determine specific parts. Auditions will be video taped. Parts are determined by the theatre arts department.
In Class Plays: Students will read parts from a script. Students may not always have the opportunity to read for every part that they are eligible for. Behavior, willingness to participate, and work ethic are all factors that determine casting. Auditions will be video taped.
6th and 7th grade JV/Varsity Theatre Auditions: Students must prepare a poem to perform for the class. Placement in varsity classes is competitive and limited. Work ethic, behavior, grades, skill level and rehearsal conduct are all factors that determine placement.
ATTENDANCE
The Round Rock ISD School Board has determined that Theatre is a performing art and that performances are an extension of class time. Unexcused absences from any performance, or any scheduled rehearsal, will affect the student's grade. The following policy will be used for performances and extra (scheduled) rehearsals:
1. An unexcused absence from a performance or required rehearsal will result in a "zero" in the grade book.
2. The second unexcused absence may result in an alternate written, non-performance related curriculum, resulting in the demotion for students in Varsity/Junior Varsity Theatre
3. Excessive absences from performances indicate a conflict with course requirements and selection of a different elective could take place.
In addition to the Round Rock ISD Performance Attendance Policy-
Walsh Theatre Department Guidelines are also in effect.
· Attendance at rehearsals and performances due to the nature of this class, is mandatory.
· Dates will be announced well in advance of rehearsal and performance times.
· It is the responsibility of each student to inform parents of all rehearsals and performances.
Excused Absence Guidelines
· If a student is absent from school on the day of a performance, he/she may not be allowed to participate with the theatre during the performance.
· Lack of transportation does not constitute an excused absence.
Only absences due to illness or an extreme emergency will be considered an excused absence. Any performance missed, without advance notification, will result in a zero
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Students must adhere to the No Pass/No Play regulations.
A student must pass ALL subjects to be eligible for participation in extra-curricular activities with the theatre arts department.
Therefore, grades will be checked at the end of each 6 weeks grading period. Ineligible students may become eligible at the end of the 3rd week progress report providing they are passing ALL classes. This UIL rule can be very confusing for all involved. It is strongly recommended that parents and students stay in close communication with teachers every 6 weeks period should a student become ineligible
DISCIPLINE
The basis of any superior organization is strict discipline. It is expected that each actor realize his/her responsibility to the group and engage in self-discipline. The rules presented in the Walsh Middle School Handbook and discipline policies of the Round Rock ISD will be strictly adhered to, both in rehearsals, performances, and off-campus activities. If a theatre member should choose to be uncooperative, disrespectful, and/or disruptive, the student will face the following consequences: student/teacher conference, parental contact and detention, probation from participating in theatre activities, consequence as assigned by administrators.
Students will be expected to conform to the following classroom rules:
1. Follow all student handbook rules
2. Follow directions the first time they are given
3. No gum, food, or drink in the theatre room or on the stage
4. Be in place with appropriate materials when class
begins
5. Respect the teacher by not talking without permission
6. Show respect for all property
7. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
Students who follow the above classroom rules can expect the following rewards:
1. Verbal and Nonverbal Praise
2. Free Time
3. Positive phone calls, e-mails, etc.
4. Tangible Individual and/or Collective Rewards
5. Inclusion in special planned activities
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Forms:
TO: All Theatre Parents/Guardians
FROM: Cari Ancelet
RE: Theatre T-Shirts
Dear Parents/Guardians,
All Theatre students have the option of buying a theatre t-shirt. These shirts will be worn many times throughout the school year for festivals, theatre days, etc. The cost of the shirt is $16.00. Please fill out the form below and return this form with payment (checks made Payable to Walsh Middle School Theatre) to the theatre director by ____________.
Please include phone number and driver license number on all checks. If there are any problems or concerns, please contact Mrs. Ancelet
at 704-0832 or at cari_ ancelet@roundrockisd.org
Thank you for your cooperation.
Student Name ____________________________________________
Theatre Class Period ____________ Home Phone ________________
T-shirt Size - Please take into consideration that we do not want the shirts to be baggy on the students, but to fit as a normal T-shirt would. The shirts will be a 50/50 blend and are not supposed to shrink.
(Please circle one)
Youth Medium
Youth Large
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Adult XL
RETURN THIS PAGE
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9-1-2011
Name of Student____________________________________
Dear Varsity Theatre Parents,
Please review the information below, and return this form ASAP. Once all forms are returned, I can begin the process of choosing our varsity show and the theatre pieces that we will take to our various competitions.
Varsity Show: MANDATORY REHEARSALS:
November 7 3:30-5:30
November 10 3:30-5:30
Varsity Show: MANDATORY PERFORMANCE DATES:
November 11 3:30-9:00 Walsh Middle School
November 12 ALL DAY Performing Arts Center
Yes, my child will participate_________________________ ( Please sign)
No, my child will need an alternated assignment_____________________________(Please sign)
*If your child cannot commit to the mandatory rehearsal/performance dates, they will need to select the alternate assignment option. Please check your child’s athletic calendar before making any commitments. This commitment letter was created to avoid conflicts in your child’s schedule. Once a student commits to an event, rehearsals are mandatory and considered co-curricular. (See handbook.) They will be graded. If your child chooses not to commit to an event, they will be graded on their alternate assignment. Please call me at 704-0832 to discuss special circumstances or if you have any questions.
Thank You!
Cari Ancelet
704-0832
RETURN THIS PAGE- VARSITY
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9-1-2011
Name of Student____________________________________
Dear Junior Varsity Theatre Parents,
Please review the information below, and return this form ASAP. Once all forms are returned, I can begin the process of choosing our junior varsity show and the theatre pieces that we will take to our various competitions.
1. Friday October 21, 2011: THEATRE SOLO AND ENSEMBLE
Students DO NOT have to practice outside of class. Outside rehearsals are optional.
Yes, my child will participate_________________________ ( Please sign)
No, my child will need an alternate assignment_______________________(Please Sign)
2. JV Show MANDATORY REHEARSALS:
March 20 3:30-5:30
March 22 3:30-5:30
JV Show MANDATORY PERFORMANCE DATES:
March 23 3:30-9:00 Walsh Middle School
March 24 ALL DAY CD Fulkes
Yes, my child will participate_________________________ ( Please sign)
No, my child will need an alternated assignment_____________________________(Please sign)
*If your child cannot commit to the mandatory rehearsal/performance dates, they will need to select the alternate assignment option. Please check your child’s athletic calendar before making any commitments. This commitment letter was created to avoid conflicts in your child’s schedule. Once a student commits to an event, rehearsals are mandatory and considered co-curricular. (See handbook.) They will be graded. If your child chooses not to commit to an event, they will be graded on their alternate assignment. Please call me at 704-0832 to discuss special circumstances or if you have any questions.
Thank You,
Cari Ancelet
704-0832
RETURN THIS PAGE-JV
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9-1-2011
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN:
I HAVE READ AND AM FAMILIAR WITH THE INFORMATION IN THE WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE HANDBOOK AND I HAVE READ THE WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE CALENDAR OF EVENTS PAGE ON TEACHER WEB.
STUDENT______________________
CLASS PERIOD__________________________
PARENT (PRINT)_______________________________
PARENT (SIGN)________________________________
RETURN THIS PAGE