Theatre Appreciation

Calvary Christian Academy Fall

2025-2026 BLOCK 6

Tracy McCoy E-mail: TracyM@[Link]

Office Hours: by Apt Phone: 407-719-6688/954-905-5150

Course Description: This class will focus heavily on basic acting skills mime, sense
memory, substitution, voice, diction, projection, stage direction through exercises and
monologue work. In addition, we will study the tenants of Comedy, Tragedy,
Melodrama, Commedia, and Musical Theatre. We’ll also visit improvisation, auditioning
tools, basic stage make-up, and theatre etiquette & ministry. Each student will be
expected to keep a journal recording personal observations & notes. Most of the material
studied will be briefly discussed in class, and practically applied, but relies heavily on
personal study throughout the week for personal growth.

Course Objectives: By the end of the semester each student should be able to
articulate aspects of several theatre styles, know their way around a stage and be able to
perform a basic monologue, and have some practical scene work performances . General
goals for all theatre classes are as follows:

RESPECT It's essential that every artist learn respect for their fellow actors, as well as
their instructors/directors/designers

ENCOURAGEMENT It is my desire to instill a sense of responsibility in young artists to

be encouragers for one another, especially in order to set them apart as Christian artists.
It is also my intent to encourage students by helping them identify and build on their own
personal strengths.

FOCUS This is key in being a fine performer, as well as an ambassador for Christ. I
hope to exemplify the importance of taking the focus off self, and toward Christ in
everything, always thinking of heavenly treasures as opposed to earthly accolades.

EXCELLENCE I believe it is our duty to always strive for excellence in all we do.

ARTISTIC INTEGRITY I will stress the importance of artistic integrity from actors to
designers to writers to directors. We need to be ARTISTS who are Christians in order to
have an impact and live up to our responsibility in this field, having compassion & respect
for our peers of different backgrounds.

Class Requirements:
The format of this class includes interactive improvisational experiences, class
participation, memorization, presentations, group discussions, and thoughtful reflection.
This class requires some written work, reading, group work, as well as preparation time
outside of allotted class time.
 Text: 2
1. King Lear (student responsibility to get copy)
2. Brighton Beach Memoirs (edited copy provided)
3. The Miracle Worker(copy provided)
4. Hand-outs from many sources (copy provided)
5. Notebook: Will be all electronic this year on your to class for reflections.

*Books to purchase for CCA Theatre program are spread out across 4 years, so that you
aren't buying all the books at once. We'll study, utilize, and reference these books
frequently, so you will need them for class. These are not TEXT BOOKS, they are
various Theatre books on different acting styles and techniques that you'll want to keep
in your permanent library.*

Supplies:
1. Script, Pencil, Notebook, Water Bottle, Proper Attire - You MUST bring your
texts to every class, dance clothes optional, closed toed shoes you can move in.

Course Policies:

1. Attendance is Mandatory. You are expected to attend and participate in each class, arriving
promptly and staying until class is over. Theatre courses depend upon participation, and class
work (including exams and presentations/performances) can be made up, in a timely manner
as dictated by school policy. If you are absent or go AWOL on a day you are to perform-or
give a presentation, the result is an automatic F unless you have an excused absence, and you
are responsible for obtaining any missed work.
2. Participation is Mandatory and means more than just being present in class. Participation and
involvement require concentration, thoughtful speaking and listening in discussions, respect
for others in the group, cooperatively working in small groups, and a commitment to the
class. You will be graded on both the quality and quantity of your participation.
3. Late Work is Accepted only for excused absence according to school policy timeline, and
any incomplete assignment constitutes a zero.
4. Academic misconduct such as copying/cheating will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism, sometimes labeled as “literary theft,” is defined as follows: “Plagiarism is using someone else’s
ideas or words without giving them proper credit. Plagiarism can range from unintentional (forgetting to
include a source in a bibliography) to intentional (buying a paper online, using another writer’s ideas as
your own to make your work sound smarter). Beginning writers and expert writers alike can all plagiarize.
Understand that plagiarism is a serious charge in academia, but also in professional settings” (Purdue Writing
Lab).
5. Cheating is to act dishonestly in an academic sense by providing and/or receiving answers. This includes,
but is not limited to the following: copying or paraphrasing from another's work without correct attribution;
utilizing artificial intelligence without teacher permission to complete work; providing work for another
student to copy or use; communicating answers or questions on an assessment; taking or receiving pictures
of assessments; taking or receiving copies of an exam; using or displaying notes, “cheat sheets,” or other
information during the assessment, physical or digital; allowing others to complete work and submit it as
their own; collaborating with others on assignments or assessments without permission from the teacher.

The above description of plagiarism and cheating are binding on any and all assignments and assessments students
may complete for any class, whether it be formal or informal. Written work, projects, homework, and
assessments should reflect each individual student’s original work or idea. In the case of writing assignments,
if ideas are shared between students, those ideas should be cited in an individual’s papers.

AI Policy (Please see the Parent-Student Handbook for the full policy on AI Use)
In an era of AI, the lines around what is acceptable may be blurred. It is important that students maintain credibility
and honesty in their work. The following guidelines will help provide direction when using AI in school:
● Students are responsible for their own work. This means the use of an AI tool to generate a response in part or in full to an
assignment and claim it as their own is considered plagiarism.
● AI-generated text is not considered original work and is not an approved source for student work unless directed by a
teacher for a specific assignment. Students must cite all sources that are used.
● Students must be transparent about their use of AI in their work. This means that students must identify any AI-generated
content used in their work, and they must explain how it was used.
● Students must be aware of the potential for AI to be used to cheat or plagiarize. If students are unsure whether or not their
use of AI is fair and honest, they should ask their teacher for guidance.
6. If you have any special needs/requirements/limitations please notify me immediately, so
I may still include you in the course, while keeping you safe.
7. Misconduct of any kind i.e. Disrespect to teachers or students, physical
altercations, harassment, etc. will not be tolerated. Please review CCA conduct
guidelines Parent-Student Handbook
8. Journals are an important part of every theatre class, and a significant portion of your grade.

Assignments Grading for Theatre Appreciation

Each week general assignments include but may not be limited to:
Class journal
Weekly Homework assignments
Participation
Reading Material
Final presentations (performance: monologues, songs, scenes, etc.)
Attending the Fall HS Play and/or Spring Musical

Final grade will be calculated as follows:

Process Assessments: (Classwork & Homework Assignments) 50% of the
grade Product Assessments: (Large Individual & Group Projects & Tests) 50% of
the grade

Grade Distribution: A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-69; F <60

Note: This grading system is a very objective one (following strict RUBRIC).
Completing assignments and participating ensures a good grade. Students are not
judged subjectively by talent or performance. It is also important to remember that
theatre is fundamentally an exploration of the human condition, and covers a wide
range of human behavior. Sometimes this evokes certain discussions/subject matter that
is prevalent to the students’ lives, which for some may be uncomfortable. Please trust
that all material/exercises/discussions covered are led appropriately based upon
Biblical principles through a Christian perspective
 3
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

A WEEKLY NOTEBOOK:
As responsible artists, it is important that you begin and/or continue thinking about your
own thinking. Each week requires one entry of personal reflection, observation, and/or
ideas gathered from class and/or assignments.

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS: Each week you will receive some form of written or
reading assignment. Occasionally it may be a “project” to work on and bring in to class.

A FINAL PROJECT: At the end of each semester a final project will be given on all
covered material.

ATTENDING A PROFESSIONAL SHOW: Each student is highly encouraged to see

a professional show and review for extra credit.

A FINAL PRESENTATION: The final presentation for each semester will be

performing the monologues and/or scenes worked on in class.

CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR

Please contact me via email for all class correspondence i.e. class
descriptions/grades/assignments at Tracym@[Link]
This will be the most efficient way for me to be thorough and have a record of your
inquiry. If you need to set an appointment to discuss something further or in detail,
please email me with that request, and we can set an appointment together. If there is an
EMERGENCY during class time you may contact my cell at 407-719-6688, however,
during class time you will be forwarded to my voice mail, and you can leave a message.
 COURSE SCHEDULE
Theatre Appreciation

Subject to change, based on needs of class

Safe Space week 1 Trust Learn Names
Safe Space week 2 Bonding/basic acting Evaluations (done in class)
Theatre week 3 Theatre Etiquette/protocol/chain Sketches for Battle week
Etiquette of command
Theatre week 4 Parts of Stage/types/terminology Create puppet scene
Etiquette
Voice/Body week 5 Relaxation/warm up Teach an exercise
Voice/Body Week 6 Voice Control/speaking/singing Rehearse Song
Theatre Week 7 Create Scene Brainstorming Notes/Script
Ministry
Theatre Week 8 Rehearse Scene Rehearse
Ministry
Make-up Week 9 Make-up/basic Compile make-up kit
Make-up Week 10 Make-up/specialty/character Fantastical/scars/specialty
Improv Week 11 Basic Improv Skills 3 characters developed
Improv Week 12 Create sketches/games/script Write comedy Sketch
Improv Week 13 Rehearse improv show Perform show
Theatre Week 14 Theatre History Create Scenes
History
Theatre Week 15 Greek/Hebrew/Roman Complete Timeline
History
Technical Week 16 Work on Musical Set/production Helping with SET
Theatre
Technical Week 17 Work on Musical Set/production Helping with SET
Theatre
FINAL Week 18 Review/Final Final project
 Theatre Appreciation
2025 - 2026

Mrs. Tracy McCoy, Instructor

I have read and, by signing below, I acknowledge that I understand all of the above expectations and stipulations
detailed in the course syllabus for Theatre Appreciation.

I fully understand the seriousness of cheating and plagiarism as well as the disciplinary consequences.

I fully understand that this course will require focused and diligent attention throughout the year.

I have updated my contact information in MyCCA so that I receive communication from CCA.

I understand the importance of checking MyCCA every day so that I can be informed of my progress in class and
receive important class and school announcements.

Both student and parent have read and agreed to all in class procedures
and policies.

Printed Parent's name

Parent's signature Date

Printed Student's name

Student's signature Date

HW: Please sign and bring this last page to class by Monday, August 18. Due at the start of your block