I make them perform the scene, on my schedule (which, because of rehearsals after school means in the morning
before school), and grade them as exactly the same as I grade their partners. I also tell them it's up to them to find people to read the other characters if their scene partners don't want to perform again. I won't read the lines for them. I usually offer the kids who already performed the option of performing it for a higher grade so that they are more inclined to really work through the scene instead of simply standing there literally reading lines off a page. It really helps encourage the scene partners to perform as well as they can.
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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2017 10:33
From: Ellen Di Filippo
Subject: Absences!
If my students miss a pre-planned class performance, they have to do the entire scene by themselves. If they can convince their partners to do it with them, fine, but the others are not obligated. I put this in my syllabus this year for the first time. Haven't had to deal with it yet, but the administration signed off on my syllabus, so they will back me up if it comes to a shouting match.
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Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy CA
Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2017 10:06
From: Kelly Thomas
Subject: Absences!
Just have them do the scene over. Only grade that student for his work in the scene. Whatever he does or doesn't do, grade him on that as you did the other students. If he doesn't want to do it give him the zero he deserves.
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Kelly Thomas
Mesquite TX
Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2017 10:34
From: Kathy Dorgan
Subject: Absences!
My advanced theatre class often has scene work which stretches over several weeks as groups of students, sometimes with a student director, prepare ten to fifteen minute scenes. Right before our winter break this year they presented such scenes. Mindful of the fact that some kids might be leaving early for winter break extended vacations I repeatedly stressed that they should let me know if they were leaving early so that their group could perform before they left. Two students did so. A third did not let me know and just didn't show up on the last day of class-- his director read his part so that the group could perform. The director said she expected this -- he had told the group that he wasn't coming Friday but didn't want to tell me because he didn't memorize, etc. When we returned to school this week, I gave them their grades for the scenes, and he received a zero. I was informed yesterday that because his parents excused his absence I needed to give hi an opportunity to make up the work.
I'm wondering what others do in these types of situations. A monologue? A written assignment? this doesn't happen often, but it sure is frustrating when it does!
Kathy DorganOHS Theatre Director
English Department