Open Forum

hello!

For the first time, this coming year, I have been asked to NOT associate a grade with my theater production classes (I and II), with the idea that more students may sign on for classes if they don't have the "burden" of being graded for their work.  The administration is working with me to try to build our small school theater department.  Here is an overview:

app. 270 high school students / all girls

app. 25-30, in any given year, take speech and theater classes.  Since that is almost 10% of the entire high school population, I am thinking that's not bad.  We always invite boys from other schools (both public and private, and theater programs) to act with us, as needed.  I even call upon professionals in acting and other theater disciplines, for paid engagements working with students to model what a semi-professional environment can look like.

Have you any experience with accounting for rehearsal behavior, commitment, etc., WITHOUT grades?  If so, can you share with me how you do it?  Chances are your school population is much larger, so maybe competition helps but at my school, that is not a possibility.

Thank you!

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Michelle Britton
Houston TX
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You have a challenge, Michelle, but your program sounds like it is valued by your admin and enriched with your added activities.  My plays are co-curricular with grades; my annual musical is extra-curricular. For the musical, the students must want to be there and want to do a good job in order to stay.  We have been using smaller cast musicals for the past few years because of low student commitment level.  I plan to have stricter rules this coming year and have under-studies standing by if the original cast member does not follow through with the director's rehearsal expectations.  I'm thinking about issuing demerits as well.  A certain number of demerits earned will void privileges.  I'm still thinking about that one.

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Kathy Siler
Theatre Educator
Payson Unified Schools
Payson AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2015 14:02
From: Michelle Britton
Subject: Holding students accountable without a grade associated

hello!

For the first time, this coming year, I have been asked to NOT associate a grade with my theater production classes (I and II), with the idea that more students may sign on for classes if they don't have the "burden" of being graded for their work.  The administration is working with me to try to build our small school theater department.  Here is an overview:

app. 270 high school students / all girls

app. 25-30, in any given year, take speech and theater classes.  Since that is almost 10% of the entire high school population, I am thinking that's not bad.  We always invite boys from other schools (both public and private, and theater programs) to act with us, as needed.  I even call upon professionals in acting and other theater disciplines, for paid engagements working with students to model what a semi-professional environment can look like.

Have you any experience with accounting for rehearsal behavior, commitment, etc., WITHOUT grades?  If so, can you share with me how you do it?  Chances are your school population is much larger, so maybe competition helps but at my school, that is not a possibility.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Michelle Britton
Houston TX
------------------------------

hello!

For the first time, this coming year, I have been asked to NOT associate a grade with my theater production classes (I and II), with the idea that more students may sign on for classes if they don't have the "burden" of being graded for their work.  The administration is working with me to try to build our small school theater department.  Here is an overview:

app. 270 high school students / all girls

app. 25-30, in any given year, take speech and theater classes.  Since that is almost 10% of the entire high school population, I am thinking that's not bad.  We always invite boys from other schools (both public and private, and theater programs) to act with us, as needed.  I even call upon professionals in acting and other theater disciplines, for paid engagements working with students to model what a semi-professional environment can look like.

Have you any experience with accounting for rehearsal behavior, commitment, etc., WITHOUT grades?  If so, can you share with me how you do it?  Chances are your school population is much larger, so maybe competition helps but at my school, that is not a possibility.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Michelle Britton
Houston TX
------------------------------

hello!

For the first time, this coming year, I have been asked to NOT associate a grade with my theater production classes (I and II), with the idea that more students may sign on for classes if they don't have the "burden" of being graded for their work.  The administration is working with me to try to build our small school theater department.  Here is an overview:

app. 270 high school students / all girls

app. 25-30, in any given year, take speech and theater classes.  Since that is almost 10% of the entire high school population, I am thinking that's not bad.  We always invite boys from other schools (both public and private, and theater programs) to act with us, as needed.  I even call upon professionals in acting and other theater disciplines, for paid engagements working with students to model what a semi-professional environment can look like.

Have you any experience with accounting for rehearsal behavior, commitment, etc., WITHOUT grades?  If so, can you share with me how you do it?  Chances are your school population is much larger, so maybe competition helps but at my school, that is not a possibility.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Michelle Britton
Houston TX
------------------------------

Michelle, half of our productions each year are extracurricular, so no grade is attached.

For large casts, I designate understudies within the cast.  Even my ASM will understudy, if he or she is also a performer.  If a student is absent, the understudy pops in. If a student is absent too often--which is twice without a valid pre-approved reason for me--the understudy gets the role.  Setting up understudies is a logistical feat, as multiple students may have to switch roles when one person is absent, but it keeps everyone engaged and feeling very involved in the show.  Those hungry freshmen nipping at the heels of slacker seniors works quite well to stave off senioritis.

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C. J. Breland
Asheville NC
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2015 14:02
From: Michelle Britton
Subject: Holding students accountable without a grade associated

hello!

For the first time, this coming year, I have been asked to NOT associate a grade with my theater production classes (I and II), with the idea that more students may sign on for classes if they don't have the "burden" of being graded for their work.  The administration is working with me to try to build our small school theater department.  Here is an overview:

app. 270 high school students / all girls

app. 25-30, in any given year, take speech and theater classes.  Since that is almost 10% of the entire high school population, I am thinking that's not bad.  We always invite boys from other schools (both public and private, and theater programs) to act with us, as needed.  I even call upon professionals in acting and other theater disciplines, for paid engagements working with students to model what a semi-professional environment can look like.

Have you any experience with accounting for rehearsal behavior, commitment, etc., WITHOUT grades?  If so, can you share with me how you do it?  Chances are your school population is much larger, so maybe competition helps but at my school, that is not a possibility.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Michelle Britton
Houston TX
------------------------------