IMPROVISATION
Mrs. Jo Lane, teacher, jolane@pps.k12.or.us,503.916.5260 ext. 71424

Course Description:
Learn about, create with, and perform both short-form improv, including games popularized by the television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, and long-form improvisation, such as The Harold and Life Game, used by international theatre companies for creating plays and original productions. Attendance is required at only one of Roosevelt’s Rough Rider RUCKUS evening events (2-4 times per year); optional attendance at other improv festivals and competitions.

Resources Available:
Students will have a variety of resources available to help including theatre arts textbooks, theatrical videos, and in class work. Additionally, Mrs. Lane will provide support through training and bringing in guest speakers, offering field trips, and other opportunities.

Classroom Expectations (Show your Rider PRIDE!):
Personal Responsibility: Bring supplies to class daily: PENCILS, ERASER, pens, paper, theatre notebook, and any other materials required for each class. Wear clothing that is comfortable and in which you are able to move.
Respect: Treat fellow students, teachers, and others with respect. THEATRE IS A COLLABORATIVE ART THAT REQUIRES TEAMWORK. Without respect, the classroom team fails. With respect, it flourishes.
Integrity: Push yourself to work hard and cooperate in groups. Put your best work forward and be proud of what you share. THEATRE IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION CLASS. Effort, cooperation, and participation will be rewarded. Attitude and cooperation warrants additional participation in showcases.
Discipline/Diligence: Be present and ON TIME daily, ready to learn. Rehearsals are not effective when you are late or absent.
Empathy: Cooperation in group activities and willingness to share work. Encourage others to share. Give and receive constructive criticism for all to become better artists.

Attendance Policy:
This course meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It is imperative and expected that students attend every class, every week. If students are absent, whether excused or unexcused, during any pre-planned performances or tests, students may not be able to retake or makeup the performances or tests. Teacher discretion will be used to determine any credit awarded and makeup options. See ACT attendance policy.

Homework and Grading:
Theatre does require homework! Complete and turn in all assignments on time. Students will receive grades for daily participation, preparation and rehearsal, and performance. All work is scored with a point system and/or with rubrics to be distributed in class. Assessments include daily attendance, on task rehearsal, memorization by deadlines, completion of theatre arts notebook, discussion and cooperation, in class performances, and analyses of characters and scenes. No late work can or will be accepted. Any late work credit, if any, is at the teacher’s discretion. Bonus points can be earned for attending additional crew days or theatre performances.

*Required Events:
All students enrolled are required to participate in one event outside of the class in order to complete the course and the hours necessary to receive full credit. Events may include:
• *Roosevelt’s Rough Rider RUCKUS Improv event during Back to School Night on the cafeteria stage. Student teams will “compete” in short-form games against other area high schools.
• Oregon Thespian Improvisation Competition on the first Saturday of October. A $5 per team entry fee is charged, but covered by RHS Thespians. Details provided for entry, deadlines, and fees.
• *ACTing Showcase the first Thursday in February. Family and friends are invited to the ACTing Showcase to see the students perform their Regional competition pieces, as well as RUCKUS Improv teams compete.
• Other Improv Competitions are TBA. Westview HS in Beaverton, Cleveland HS in Portland, as well as Liberty HS are all looking to host various improv events during the year; however, they may be hosting in the spring and thus, are too late for credit. Keep that in mind as you plan to attend one event or if you wish to audition to be a permanent member of the Roosevelt Rough Rider RUCKUS teams: Havoc and Brouhaha.

Non-participation in any ONE of the improv events required will result in a full letter grade drop per event missed. No exceptions. (i.e. If you earned an A, but miss the one required improv event, you will receive a B.)

Additional Theatrical Opportunities (examples):
• Evening Performances (optional performance opportunities will be announced)
• Field trips (optional trips to community and/or school theatre productions)
• Participation in Drama Club/Thespians (optional club/earned membership)
• You must attend school at least one half day in order to participate in any after school opportunities. No pass, no play policy applies, too.

Tentative Improvisation Calendar
The following units of study are approximate and subject to change:

September: Introduction to short-form improv; preparation for RUCKUS event; story prompts as impulses for improv; preparation for Improv Fest

October: Using prompts to create story improvisation; development of story theatre through improvisation

November: Introduction to long-form improvisation; integrating monologues into long-form

December: Developing the long-form as a final performance piece

January: Integrating short-form and long-form improvisation based on prompts

February: ACTing Showcase and RUCKUS event; Final Exam