Calling all thespians? Lovers of the preforming arts? Passionate drama students!?

Question

I completed Drama One-Drama Three in Middle School their is no way not to be in Drama One in High School. The thing is we do not act in drama one every day we come in and we take notes she lecture about famous writers using cuss words to display our language. Every week we have a test and most kids fail because the information is irrelevant or boring. She makes us memorize dates and names and famous works and when we do get to hear these works that they did they are usually about inappropriate content. She tells us to be good actors you must know the history of drama the complete history. This year we will learn Greek, Renaissance, Japanese, American, African, English drama we read works like Antigone by Sophocles. I know that knowing the fundamentals is essential but really! , After all the kids started failing she said since everyone is failing Drama I am going to get rid of the review sessions because no one listens to them! Rebuttal tell me what you think and what you feel?

Example Of Our Notes
Sophocles born in 495 died in 406 his most famous work was Antigone and Opedius Rex. William S. etc. Did I mention if one word is spelled wrong the whole entire question is wrong? Also she talks a mile a minute and won't write anything down on the board she says if we miss it, its our fault for talking. When we take tests we are not allowed to have writing on our body and we have to sit far away from students and she puts all our backpacks behind her desk! She told us today that drama is fun and no one should fail drama! She thinks she is Queen of drama if a kid is right when they answer the question she will say you are completely wrong. Then she rewords the SAME thing that the kid says and tells us that is the answer. We can not reword from our notes it has to all be quote in quote.
Do you even think this is drama?
I love drama so much and I think I know a lot about it but do you think this is ruining it?

I told my folks they said deal

Answer 1

Whew! She is some kind of nut! A petition from all the students in the class that she be replaced for using profanity in class and being a poor teacher and delivered to the principal is one response you could have. Take a recorder to class and record her lectures, perhaps that will make her stop the bad language. And what do your parents think of your complaints about this teacher. She has the wrong idea about what it takes to be a good actor. I will happily sign your petition. Theatre History should be taught as a separate class so the students know what they are getting into. She is showing off her "knowledge" rather than teaching. This is not a college lecture course.

Answer 2

You are doing this at *high* school level?!? I've always been involved in theater, and we didn't do more than the basics until *college*. I have no problem if a teacher wants to go over some historical highlights -- in fact, I think it is necessary for a well-rounded education in theater. But your teacher is going overboard, teaching things that usually aren't covered until college level -- and then with theater majors and minors -- people who are looking to make a career in it.

I agree with you -- this is nuts, especially if there isn't any hands-on to counterbalance the dry stuff. Unfortunately, there probably isn't much you can do, short of dropping the class and encouraging your peers to do the same, then taking theater classes through a community theater or seperate art school on the side, if you can. If, suddenly, no one wants to take this class, it *might* get the attention of the administration, who may then look into it. Ultimately, you have to get another adult or three on your side -- and that will be difficult.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I think your response to your teacher's methods is exactly what it should be. It's typical but sadly it is utterly, and hopelessly wrong. First of all it's more than "essential'' to know the fundamentals. It's impossible to perform a work by Ben Johnson {1532-1637} if you don't even know who he is, much less his style. Plenty of "so-called" actors and actresses claim to know The Bard {do you know who that is?} but really haven't a clue about the nature of his work. And if your teacher is insisting on expanding your knowledge beyond the realms of Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jason Robert Brown, to that of African, Japanese, Greek, etc theatre. I say you should take in all you can because it will surely pay off.

The Bard's works are inevitable in the theatre so if you are at all uncomfortable with them may I suggest devoting a separate class to dissecting them.

*** Antigone is an excellent piece of literature.

Answer 4

I don't agree with your teacher that you have to know all about theaters history in order to be successful. I doubt every professional actor or actress knows the complete history of theater. You need to know the basics and how things work around a theater and termanology. A little history helps to but you don't need a textbook about the history of theater unless your taking a theater history class. There's not really anything you can do about it though because the school probably approved the curriculum. If your really dedicated to theater stick with it and try your hardest anyways.
Wish you luck.

Answer 5

I agree with Theatre Doc get a petition going, get your parents involved. I know it might sound daunting, but there is no reason for her behavior. If you have to go to the school board.
While I do think that all people involved in theatre should have the necessary historical background, it is not done in an acting class, it should be a separate theatre history class, and hers seems to be way to excessive. Stand up for yourself!

Answer 6

that's horrible.
i'm in my drama class and well yeah, we learn history and everytihng like that but we act every single day.serious. only a couple days where we don't. we have taken notes but no tests.how can this be a drama class? it sounds more like a drama history class. join your drama club at school or get involved in local productions. and if you have a second drama, taught by someone else, take it next year.
i'm not sure if this will help but you can talk to your counselor/principal and ask about the class, saying that you feel your not learning actual acting and she reteaches everything to you.

Answer 7

ur teacher is very unfair......

i take gcse drama in highschool and yes you do have to know a little bit of history but not like the death or birth date!! i mean come on....to be a good actor you have to have experience....not take history classes!! she should probably teach you techniques...not history of drama..you do have to know the basics....
tell her that you should be doing physical stuff as well ...if shes failing you then i think you have to talk to someone and get her fired!!!

Answer 8

I'm sure that this particular class is not as fun for you as some of the others with more activity, and I am sure that different teachers teach differently, but it's up to you to make the material useful. The funny thing about life is that you never know what you're going to be able to use. Just try to make the best of it for now.