Welcome to the Award Winning Milton High School Theatre Department.

The 2008-2009 school year is filled with exciting opportunities for students and parents as we maintain, shape and create a dynamic theatre department.

As the Director of Theatre at Milton it is my goal to give as many students as possible the opportunity to perform on stage in front of a live audience or as technicians back stage for a live performance. I want the students to feel the rush, excitement and magic that live theatre creates for the actor, technician and audience.

For the 2008-2009 students have the opportunity to participate in the following classes:

Advanced Drama II: An audition only group who act and tech main stage productions in the fall and four student directed one-acts in the spring. These students will also be performing in the showcase each semester.

Advanced Drama I: An audition only group who will act and tech a production in the black box theatre as well as help out with the one-act play. These students will also be performing in the showcase each semester.

Acting II: An advanced level class which will be working on scenes and monologues as they hone their acting skills. These students will also be performing in the showcase each semester.

Acting I: A beginning level class that teaches an overview of theatre focusing primarily on performance. These students will be performing in the showcase each semester.

Musical Theatre: A performance based class which will hopefully be performing a show in the spring and participating in the showcase.

Technical Theatre: For those students who want to learn about the technical aspects of theatre. A hands on opportunity to run tech for shows.

Georgia Thespian Conference Opening Number: Three students will be selected to audition for the Opening Number of the Georgia Thespian Conference. Students typically need to be strong singers and dancers. Or strong singers who can move. Or strong dancers. Students wishing to audition must prepare a 16 bar audition and present it to their class on a specified day. Students who are cast in the Opening Number will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a show, with students from across the state, that will open the entire Georgia Thespian Conference. Must be active, initiated Thespian.

Individual Events: At the Georgia Thespian Conference students have the opportunity to compete in a variety of individual events including, monologues, duet scene, group scene, solo musical, duet musical, group musical, mime, publicity, costume design, set design. Only three performance I.E.s from each school can be submitted. Students interested in competing with and I.E. must choose the material, rehearse it to an excellent level and audition for Mrs. Denney and the class in December.

Georgia Thespian Conference student representative: Two students will be chosen to represent our school at the two planning sessions for the Georgia Thespian Conference. These students will attend meetings and bring back information to our troupe.

Georgia Thespian State Student Officer: One student each year can be selected to run for a position as a State Student Officer for Georgia State Thespians. If elected this student would serve on the board for Georgia Thespians and help create and run the Georgia Conference. Student must be a Freshman, Sophomore or Junior.

Scholarship Auditions: Current Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to audition for college scholarships at the Georgia Thespian Conference. 30-50 colleges are represented at the auditions and are actively recruiting students for their programs. Juniors and Seniors may audition for colleges. In addition, Georgia Thespians gives away $18,000 a year in theatre scholarships. Students must be a senior to be considered and planning to major in theatre or a related field.

Governor’s Honors Program: Current Sophomores and Juniors have the opportunity to try out for the Governors Honors Program in theatre. If chosen the students will attend a 6 week summer session at Valdosta State University where they will major in theatre. Students must prepare two contrasting monologues for the audition. Any student interested in auditioning for the program should begin preparing pieces in August as the County level auditions will be held in October. Students will be chosen by Mrs. Denney to audition for this program.

The Fulton County Board of Education provides basic support for their theatre programs. We are fortunate that Fulton County holds the arts in very high regard as an academic subject and provides a high level of support for all arts programs. However, since the financial investment to maintain the level of excellence in our theatre program is great, our theatre booster club must supplement the system’s support of our theatre program. Fundraising events are scheduled throughout the year to help our theatre program maintain the high level of success that we have enjoyed. All students involved in productions will be asked to help raise the funds necessary to continue our high quality of production.

Costumes are needed for all productions. In most cases students will be asked to acquire their own costumes which must be approved by the director and technical director. In all cases, very specific information will be given to the student including color, types of fabric etc. Obviously, costumes need to fit the style, character and time period of the play. In some instances we will need to rent costumes for a production or have them made. In these cases, the cost of rental or construction of the costumes will be an obligation of the student.

A positive attitude and strong work ethic is essential to be a part of the theatre program. In theatre you will not always get the lead role and sometimes you will not get a role at all. But if you love theatre and are involved for the right reasons you will be willing to take on any new experience in theatre and try to gain something from it. This attitude will get you far in this program. A student who is not cast in a lead role today but works hard and has a “do anything” attitude will certainly have a lead role in their future.

A yearly calendar will be handed out the first week of school. It includes all important and required dates for Advanced Drama I and II, Acting II and Acting I.

The Director reserves the right to make changes to the schedule as needed. If rehearsals are added, students will be given at least one week notice.

When students enroll in a theatre class during the school day, credit is given to that student toward graduation. Each class has specific requirements for earning a numerical grade for participation. A very detailed class syllabus is distributed on the first day of class in each group. You are encouraged to read, sign and return the syllabus so that you are aware of the grading and attendance policies of that particular class.

Rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Any request for an exception must be submitted in writing and approved by the director two weeks in advance of the conflicting date, except in emergencies. Work is not an acceptable excuse for missing rehearsals or performances. Our schedule is announced far enough in advance to avoid conflicts. Parents, please make every effort to make regular doctor’s appointments around the theatre schedule whenever possible. Also, please be advised that if you choose to participate in other extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading or recreation league soccer, you must work your schedules so that you do not miss theatre rehearsals or performances for these activities. Students are responsible for arriving at each rehearsal and performance on time (early) and prepared (properly dressed, with script etc). Parents are urged to see that their children take this responsibility seriously.

• Sick and not in school
• Death in the family
• Religious holiday

Inexcusable Absences:

• Dentist/Orthodontist appointment
• Driving test
• Homework (time management is important!)
• Attending a rock concert or sporting event
• Birthday
• Work
• Trips (vacations) without proper advance notice (at least two weeks)
• No transportation (other students can assist with rides if needed)

Make Up Work:

Theatre is a performance based class. The work we do in class is to prepare ourselves to perform in front of audience. You are receiving the required dates for this class the 1^st of the semester therefore, there should be no reason to miss a rehearsal or performance outside of class and you should make every effort not to miss a performance in class. The county requires that make up work be offered for excused absences.

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate make-up work, NOT THE TEACHER”S!!! The student must complete all work within the prescribed time. Should an absence be prearranged, students are to return to class prepared. For any other absence, the student has the number of days absent to make up the work: one day absent gives one day make-up work.

To make up a grade for an excused absence from school you must do the following:

As outlined above, the student must initiate the make-up work and turn it in within the prescribed time.

To make up an excused absence from the showcase rehearsal or performance you must choose 5 of the theories and write a 10 page paper, double space, typed comparing and contrasting the theories. You must also memorize and perform for your class, two contrasting monologues from a scripted, published play. Each monologue must come from a different play. You must write a 2 page biographical paper on each playwright from which the monologues come.

Drom or Drama Prom. This “Tony” or “Oscar” style awards ceremony will recognize achievements made by the students of the theatre department for the year. Every student who participated in theatre will receive some type of recognition at the banquet and all students and parents are urged to attend the celebration. Theatre Letters, Thespian Inductions, Honor Awards as well as special acting recognitions are all part of the banquet. The rising Thespian Officers will be announced and a great meal will be served. The theatre banquet will be financed through ticket sales that will be purchased by attendees. All students who letter in theatre for the year will attend the banquet for free.

Theatre letters are earned through exemplary participation in theatre for the school year. In order to be considered for a Theatre Letter, a student must be registered for a theatre class each semester, actively involved in every production available to that student either on stage or technically. The student must be an active, initiated member of the International Thespian Society with no more then one unexcused absence from the meetings.

The Milton High School Theatre Students travel frequently during the year, including many out-of-city and even out- of- state trips. Be aware that travel is very expensive and is a privilege, not a right. In the event that an overnight stay is involved in our travel plans, an itinerary will be prepared and distributed to all students and parents. Remember that all county, school and theatre rules apply for the duration of the trip. Each time we travel we are representing the Milton High School Theatre, Milton High School, the city of Alpharetta, Fulton County, the state of Georgia and the United States; we will all do our best to maintain these standards to the highest degree possible at all times.

• Drinking alcoholic beverages and taking non-prescription drugs is absolutely prohibited. Immediate notification of local law enforcement will take place and serious administrative disciplinary action will take place if this rule is violated.
• No tobacco products of any kind are ever permissible on a band trip by students, chaperones or staff.
• There will be no males in female housing areas or females in male housing areas at any time.
• Students are expected to behave at all times in the hotel. Anyone deemed guilty of gross misbehavior will be sent home at parental expense.
• Parents and students are responsible should any property be damaged.
• Shirts and shoes are to be worn at all times
• Rooms are to be locked at all times
• Courtesy is expected from all theatre students while dining. These facilities are used by other groups and the general public as well.
• Any souvenirs that you bring home should be purchased, not “borrowed” (i.e. Signs, dishes…etc)
• All school rules will be enforced
• No one is allowed to leave the group setting without the permission of the directors. Any student found doing so will suffer disciplinary action.
• Profanity is not a part of the Milton Theatre Department. Make sure your language is never offensive while with the Program.
• Follow all instructions of Directors and chaperones at all times. If you do not understand, ask…don’t guess!

A Theatre Festival including 2000 high school students from Georgia. A celebration of excellence in high school theatre including workshops in all areas of theatre, performances, competitions etc. This is a “do not miss” event for all theatre students. This trip is open to all active Thespians who are currently participating in theatre, and have been initiated as Thespians.

Dates on Calendar. For students in the opening number, troupe representatives, and the student running for State Student Officer.