This post marks the beginning of our temporary transition to digital learning as our school district closes due to COVID-19. I think we can all agree that this format - especially as it pertains to performance classes - is less than ideal. That being said, our safety and the safety of the people we love is of the utmost importance, and I personally support the decision to put everyone's well-being first.
This is a critical moment in your eduction. This is uncharted territory for us all. How you respond under these circumstances will have a lasting impact on your academic progress. I strongly encourage you to follow all of your teachers' instructions closely, complete all assignments and do everything in your power to stay on course.
As we discussed in class on Friday, we will be conducting drama juries - which had already been planned for this week - digitally. You'll be asked to submit a video of your monologue performance, and there will be documentation to complete en lieu of your in-person interview. Since seniors are exempt from the jury process, we have created a relevant exercise for you which we feel will appropriately utilize this time. Here is the breakdown of what you'll need to accomplish in the coming days:
Assignments
ALL FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS:
By 4:15 on Monday, 3/16, you should complete the following questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdJGiwCoTYHr81UzdA58fm_Txboi7oqLFkdAbchWFfQc9Z1Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
These questions are featured on the form you typically fill out in-person before your jury. Reminder: all requests for major changes must be approved by the PA faculty, and decisions will be provided over the summer.
By 4:15 on Tuesday, 3/17, you should submit a video of your jury monologue performance:
-You may use your cell phone, but please record landscape rather than portrait.
-Make sure we can hear you!
-Try your best to frame between waist up and full body so we can see your physicality.
-Please slate to the camera and act looking off-camera.
-Please email your finished video to [email protected] AND [email protected].
-If your video is too large to email, I recommend using wetransfer.com. You can email up to two GB and it's free!
ALL SENIORS:
Since you are exempt from the jury process (congratulations) you may be thinking "why do I need to complete any work right now? I wouldn't have had to perform a jury anyway!" Without the benefit of having you actually watch and process those jury performances, however, we believe our current circumstances instead create an excellent opportunity to reflect on your growth within the CCCEPA Drama Department. Some of you have only been enrolled for a year. For many of you, you've spent all four years of your high school career in the program. Whether you're going to college in the performing arts or in an academic field, going to trade school or entering the workforce, we are of the opinion that you have all grown and matured in ways that will serve you well. We'd like for you to reflect upon your time in drama and submit a written response which answers the following questions:
-How do you think you've grown during your time at PHS?
-How will the skills you've mastered in drama serve you going forward?
-What is the one thing you've done in class that served you the most and why?
Please approach this as a formal essay and email your finished draft to your current instructor ([email protected] OR [email protected]) by 4:15 on Wednesday, 3/18. Also, we ask that you not approach this as an opportunity to critique - positively or negatively - the program or its instructors. The goal of this exercise is to promote self-evaluation and reflection as you prepare for the transition to the next phase of your life.
FYI: The daily rehearsal/ensemble grade is suspended while school is closed. Absences last week (the week of 3/9) will also not be counted for the purposes of daily grades.
Please email me with questions ([email protected]) and above all: take good care of yourselves!