The Theatre Classroom — Promoting Your Program

June 3rd, 2010

A promotional handout to take to your local middle and elementary schools

Before the school year is over, one thing I don’t think I have mentioned is contacting the local middle schools and/or grade schools in your area and letting those incoming freshman know about your drama program and the classes they can take. Counselors generally do not promote the drama program effectively. I am not in any way saying that counselors are not doing their jobs, but they are much more concerned with the basics than the Fine Arts so you need to “toot your own horn.”

Creating a handout or even presenting a show are two ways of doing this that I found effective. Clearing any handouts or presentations must be done with the principal — most are more than willing to let you notify their graduating 8th graders. Below is one handout I used.  It was formatted differently when I handed them out — had two handouts per page and I jazzed it up with a little clip art as well as running it on colored paper.

It is also that time of year with final projects, final grades, and the school year 2009-10 finally done with.  Don’t forget to say a farewell to your students’ parents for all their support of your drama department.  See my blog Another Theatrical Year Almost Over for specifics.

I will be taking a break but will come back in the fall with more things to share.  Have a great summer.

Sentinel’s Drama Department

What students have said about the drama classes:

“Fun but challenging”
“Allows everyone to be creative”
“Helps overcome shyness”
“Chance to interact with students on a more personal level”
“You make most choices, the teacher just supervises”
“Gives you confidence”
“Super class for everyone to take”
“Stick with it, it gets better and better”
“It’s different, a great way to start the day”

Curriculum

Drama 1 (1 Semester)

Drama 1 is an activity course with many group exercises.  Most work is done in class that includes: pantomime, choral reading, technical theatre, improv, play writing, and acting.  An evening performance in the Little Theatre worth 1/3 of the Semester grade will be presented the last week of the semester. This elective can count as part of the Fine Arts requirement.

Drama 2 (1 Year)

Drama 2 is a play production class offered to Juniors and Seniors.  Two major plays are presented to the public as well as shows written for the Junior High and Grade Schools.  As with Drama 1, most of the activity is done in class stressing group work. This elective requires passing Drama 1 and can count towards Junior and Senior English or fulfill the Fine Arts requirement.

Extracurricular

All-School Plays

There are two all-school plays with open auditions for any student who wants to become involved. We also have openings on crew work such as costumes, set, lights, sound, and props. Rehearsals are every Monday-Thursday from 7-9.

Thespian Troupe 483

The International Thespian Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt honorary organization for high school theatre students.  The society is committed to the advancement of educational theatre, publishing the DRAMATICS magazine and presenting the Montana State Thespian Convention, which provides college scholarships. The only requirements are 100 hours on/off stage at Sentinel and an overall grade point average of 2.0.  Our troupe sponsors the Sadie Hawkins dance, sells concessions at ball games, handles senior cap and gowns, presents an improv show at First Night, and travels to NY every two years.