Handbook

MHS THEATRE

2022-2023 Student/Parent Handbook

Note: This handbook is intended to provide information about the MHS Theatre program.

Schedules, fees and procedures may change at any time and, therefore, the handbook is subject to change.

Co-Curricular Requirements

Performance-based classes are “co-curricular classes which require out-of-class activities as stipulated by the teacher, and will determine a portion of the student’s grade. This includes concerts [performances] and rehearsals.”

Theatre Productions, Technical Theatre, and Advanced Acting classes are co-curricular. In addition to classroom activities, certain out-of-class rehearsals and performances are required and, therefore, part of the student’s assessment.

If a student misses a required rehearsal or performance and the absence is excused, the grade must be made up or the student will receive a zero. Make-up assignments will not be available for unexcused absences.

Are Your Absences Excused?

Performances are for you, our students. You are the focus of the performance. You are the one being educated. You are the purpose of the performance and rehearsal. If you miss a performance or required rehearsal, you have missed your opportunity for assessment.

Your Director will always try to work with you to ensure you can take advantage of every theatre opportunity. There are times, however, when your attendance is required. Without your attendance, the show, your performance and your classmates will suffer. In those instances, only emergency absences are excused.

To be allowed the opportunity to make up your grade, you must determine if your absence meets the eligibility to be excused. If it is excused, you will have the opportunity to make up your grade.

Eligibility for excused absences

To be eligible for an excused absence, you must first bring a note to the Theatre Director from your parent or guardian explaining your absence so eligibility can be confirmed. Request of absence notes are required at least one month before any known/pre-planned absence. Emergency absence notes are due the first day of school the student returns after the absence occurs.

Examples of EXCUSED absences

  • Death in the immediate family.

  • Illness of the student verified by a doctor’s note. Turn a copy of the doctor’s note in to the Theatre Director.

  • A family emergency, such as a sudden illness of parent or sibling, verified by a note from your parent or guardian.

  • A one-time special family activity such as a wedding, confirmation, graduation, etc. These absences require at least one-month advance notice and approval from the Theatre Director.

  • Another conflicting school activity. Report these conflicts to the Theatre Director at least one month in advance. Students should not try to figure out these conflicts on their own. Your Director, the teachers, coaches and sponsors will do their best to resolve these conflicts.

  • Another conflicting theatre performance. This type of absence requires advance approval from the Theatre Director and must be communicated before a performance is cast.

If your absence is excused, the Theatre Director will tell you what make-up work is required and when it is due.

Examples of UNEXCUSED Absences

  • Babysitting

  • Transportation problems

  • Too much homework

  • Concerts

  • Other non-curricular school activities

Unexcused absences may not be made up. You will receive a zero for that required rehearsal or performance.

Theatre Etiquette – Be your best!

Although theatre programs tend to be less formal than other subjects, students are expected to display proper theatre etiquette during class, rehearsals and performances.

Your behavior may affect:

  • Your grade

  • Your ability to obtain or keep a part or position (such as student officer, lead tech role, or class representative)

  • Your ability to attend theatre conferences

  • In severe cases, your ability to remain in the theatre program

At a minimum, you are expected to:

  • Show respect to everyone and everything in the theatre and backstage at all times. When respect is demonstrated (between teachers, students, and theatre property) theatre will be a happy and positive learning environment.

  • Not use your cellphone during class unless given permission. Students using their cellphone during instruction without permission may find this reflected in their grades.

  • Dispose of anything in your mouth when you enter the theatre. Please don’t eat food or chew gum in the theatre. Clear, flavor-free water is allowed, but please obtain these drinks before class starts.

  • Be Punctual! Arrive to class, rehearsal, or performances 15 minutes early.

  • Always participate to the best of your ability – you will be graded on your participation as a member of the ensemble.

  • Show respect to your Director and other students by listening and not engaging in side conversations or unneeded commentary.

  • Please visit the restroom and water fountain before class out of respect for rehearsals and instructional time. If you need to be excused, you may seek permission from the Theatre Director. Only one student may leave at a time.

  • Wear the proper clothing for whatever activity is occurring in your class. There may be times when rehearsal or set construction will require you to wear clothing or shoes that you can move/dance in or build/paint in.

  • Help us with your costuming. You may be asked to bring articles of clothing from home for costuming. When that happens, please bring the item(s) in by the date requested and leave the item(s) with your costume until the show closes.

  • Take care of all theatre property (sets, costumes, props, building materials/tools) and always return them to their proper place when done. Our tools, set materials, props and costumes must last so they can be used over and over again. In addition, we may also rent or borrow props, sets, and costume pieces for some shows. Please use these items carefully and always put them back properly when you’re done. This includes taking care of your personal hygiene/wearing deodorant when using costumes, and ensuring costume pieces are hung up when not in use.

  • Keep the dressing rooms, backstage area and costume/prop closet clean and free of trash and personal belongings. Never leave costume pieces on the floor. Always return tools, props or costumes to their proper place.

  • Not being in the theatre or backstage areas without permission or when you are not supposed to be.

Rehearsal Expectations

Being cast or assigned a tech role in a production is exciting and a great way to demonstrate your talents. Rehearsals not only help you sharpen those talents, but ensure the show reflects well on you, your class and your school. So, whether rehearsals are held during class, after school or on weekends, please use this time wisely.

  • Arrive on time and be ready to go when the rehearsal starts.

  • Listen to your director or coaches and don’t disrupt the progress of the rehearsals.

  • Attend all rehearsals as scheduled. If you must be out, no more than two unexcused absences are allowed. No unexcused absences are allowed in the final two weeks before a production.

  • Tell your director about and obtain approval on all known absences (or late arrivals/early departures) ahead of time, so rehearsals can be adjusted or substitutes found.

  • Keep your grades up – you will not be excused from mandatory rehearsals due to homework, studying or last-minute tutoring.

  • Write your name on your script and bring it to all rehearsals.

  • Learn your lines early and go ‘off book’ BEFORE the blocking rehearsal of that scene. Acting is more than just saying your lines. Going off script allows you to add characterization and personality to your part and hone interactions with other performers. You can’t do that if you’re reading from a script.

  • When participating in tech, learn the play or musical before technical rehearsals begin.

  • Learn all blocking and make sure your blocking is written into your script.

  • Learn and practice all songs. Run through them at home or with others. Seek vocal coaching as needed.

  • Learn and practice all dances. As with any type of acting, put the appropriate energy and personality into your dance numbers.

  • Bring a book or quiet activity for rehearsal ‘downtime.’

  • Be cooperative with costuming and wear the pieces selected. Take care of your costume as it’s assembled – keep all pieces together, clean and hung. Wear deodorant to ensure your costume stays fresh through rehearsals and until the close of the show.

  • Ensure you have all your props before each rehearsal and return them to the prop table at the end of rehearsal.

  • While on campus, including weekends and evenings, follow the MHS code of conduct and proper theatre etiquette.

Note: Although some rehearsals for productions produced by the Theatre classes occur during class, there will also be rehearsals scheduled after school and possibly on weekends. Rehearsals for the One-Act competition play are held after school and on weekends. The director will always do everything to ensure only those actors being rehearsed will be called during after school rehearsals.

Three-strike Rule

Our time is limited and precious during the school year. Therefore, we need every student to be focused and behaving appropriately so we can meet our class and performance objectives. Although we expect that all students will meet these expectations, we are aware that those students who do not meet expectations will negatively impact the students around them and the overall quality of the program.

This year we’re employing a three-strike rule to encourage proper behavior during theatre classes, rehearsals, performances and external events. Students who blatantly disregard either our Theatre Etiquette or Rehearsal Expectations (the previous two sections) will receive a strike for each infraction.

After three strikes, students will become ineligible for the remainder of that semester, for:

  • Receiving or keeping lead cast or tech roles

  • Attending external theatre events (such as conferences, workshops, trips, and banquets )

  • Keeping student leadership positions (such as student officer.)

Strike violations may also have a direct impact on the student’s class grade.