G.H.S. Theater Arts Honors Program

You can sign up for a specific time for an Honors Audition in room 612; audition times are available from January 28-Februrary 27 for 2009-10 school year

The honors program in Theater Arts is designed to encourage and reward students who demonstrate outstanding accomplishment and commitment in the theater program by allowing them to earn an honors designation for their work.

Students earn honors credit by fulfilling three requirements:

1. Enrollment and completion of the requirements of any regular Theater Arts course listed in the Course of Study guide, and,

2. A successful audition for admission to the honors program, and,

3. The completion of a special project which entails public performance, creation of a theater work outside of the classroom setting, and/or service, leadership, and instruction in the direct development of educational theater.

Honors credit is not earned for work which only completes class work in a Theater Arts course.

AUDITIONS:

1. Students must pass an audition to be admitted into the honors program. A student must re-audition each year or maintain a grade of "A-" or better in a previous honors course. Students who are not enrolled in courses for a semester may be required to re-audition.

2. An audition consists of a 2-4 minute memorized monologue chosen and prepared by the student. Theater Arts teachers cannot assist you. Students will sign up for a specific audition time during the two weeks prior to the audition date. Students who miss the deadline will not be considered.

3. In addition to monologues, the following theatrical performances will be acceptable for audition:

a). A song from a musical theater or operatic work. The selection should allow you to demonstrate the same kind of dramatic or personal moment that a straight monologue gives an actor. Popular songs would be inappropriate for this purpose. We hope some people will consider auditioning with such a piece but the choice must be made wisely. Remember, it must show dramatic ability, not just musical ability. If you audition using a song, you must provide your own accompaniment on cassette tape.

b). A dance or movement piece. The choice here should also demonstrate dramatic and story-telling elements. Choosing a piece which demonstrates ability to create character and situation are the strongest choices. As above, you must provide your own accompaniment on cassette tape.

4. Honors Audition date(s) are listed at the top of the page.

Guidelines for Auditions:

1. In the case of all auditions, whether by monologue or the other options outlined above, your purpose is to show your ability to create a genuine and convincing portrayal of an extended moment in a character's life. This is a moment which has importance and usually entails a discovery or decision on the part of the character. In presenting your monologue, you must show us your ability to utilize the text to create your character, as well as your ability to interpret and employ the subtext of your monologue. How the character establishes relationship with the person to whom they are speaking (as well as rapport with the audience) is a crucial factor in the success of the piece as well. Depth, complexity, and specificity of feeling are important elements to convey, in addition to the appropriateness and truthfulness of the feeling. The ability to find and use humor in the work (remember, "humor" isn't comedy or jokes, it is a way of looking at one's self and one's position amid the events; it involves creating personal perspective) is the sign of a sophisticated actor. Remember too, this is not a recitation, but a moment for a living person, and you must show us changes, large and subtle, as they pass through this moment.

2. When you audition, arrive ten minutes or more before your scheduled time. Late auditioners will not be considered. Wait patiently outside the audition room until you are called. Bring with you a copy of the monologue for the auditors and give it to them before you begin. Your introduction should be formal, stating your name, the title, and author of your piece and the character's name. This is done in a single sentence. A second sentence which give background or puts the monologue into context is suggested. Take a long beat to focus yourself, to find your center, and to establish the moment before. Then begin when you are ready. At the conclusion of your monologue, you should take another long beat to let the character and the moment reach closure. Remember, your audition is about your poise and professionalism and it doesn't make sense to crunch your introduction and your monologue and your conclusion all into one hurried and blurred presentation.

Project Requirement:

After students have been admitted to the honors program, they will arrange with the teacher to complete one of the following requirements for each semester they wish to earn honors credit:

1. Be cast and perform in a GHS Play;

2. Participate in a non-GHS play produced by a professional or serious amateur theater group (teacher approval required);

3. Perform in a public performance with GHS Improv Troupe, Playbuilders, Broadway Musical Revue, or MagicCircle;

4. Win a competition or place as a finalist;

5. Compose a theater scene which is performed publicly;

6. Serve as a presentation assistant for a drama teacher at a workshop or in a class for which the student is not registered;

7. Serve in a leadership role for a GHS production, including Student Directing or Stage Managing, Chairing Magic Circle, or Dance Captain in the musical or a comparable leadership role in Broadway Musical Review;

8. Arrange for and present an independent performance of a one-act or full length play;

9. Record a quality video tape of a dramatic work which is shown to viewers in an academic classroom setting or in a public setting;

10. Participate in the after-school rehearsal and/or performance component of a course in the case where a special and designated honors component has been created and implemented (the rehearsal required by the On Stage course are part of the regular curriculum and cannot be counted in this category).

In some circumstances, it may become necessary for a student to change the nature of the project they are undertaking to earn honors credit. The reason for the request, the timing of the request, and the quality of the proposed new undertaking will be among factors guiding whether a change of project is granted. In the event that a project is not completed, including for the reason that a change of project request has not been granted, students will only receive regular academic credit in the Theater Arts course for which they are registered.

Technical Theater Honors Program:

The requirements for honors program credit in technical theater are similar to those detailed above but require slightly different implementation because of the nature of technical theater.

 Eligibility Students must meet two requirements to enter the honors program for technical theater:

 1). The recommendation of the technical director for having held and executed with excellence one or more area leadership responsibilities; and

 2). A passing score on a test designed and administered by the technical director. The test will have written and practical portions.

Project Students who meet the requirements above will have to complete an honors project for both first and second semester. Honors project for the fall term will be a design and technical plan for a play chosen by the technical director. For the spring term, the design and technical plan undertaken will be for the spring musical.