WELCOME

PREREQUISITES AND RULES OF THE ACADEMY

INTERVIEW AND AUDITION
Students wishing to obtain entry into the Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy will be required to audition and interview.  The audition will consist of two contrasting monologues or one monologue and one song. Monologue and songs should be no more than ninety seconds each. Accompaniment will be provided; students must provide sheet music.  Students may audition for the Academy through July 31, 2009 for participation in the 2009-2010 season.  Please contact as as soon as possible.

INTERVIEW & DOCUMENTS
The interview will take place at the same time as the auditon and be informal. Students must submit a resume or short biography, and provide a head shot, snapshot or a school picture with their application. The student will also be required to provide one letter of recommendation from a theatre, drama, or music program or a character reference.

SCHOOL RECORDS
Students must have a 2.5 grade point average or above, and a good school discipline and attendance record. Students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average to be allowed to continue in the Academy.

PERFORMANCE
Academy students must participate in at least ONE Academy production either on stage or in a back stage technical capacity. Students may choose to participate in one or all Academy Productions. ALL STUDENTS WHO OPT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACADEMY PRODUCTION MUST CLEAR THEIR AFTERNOON AND EVENING SCHEDULE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSALS. While a minimum of personal conflicts will be allowed, students who cannot attend the majority of rehearsals will not be allowed to audition. There will be no exceptions.

Students must be able to put in volunteer hours associated with the program, attend evening rehearsals, attend other plays and theatre productions. Students must be able to provide their own transportation to after school rehearsals and evening events.

RULES OF THE ACADEMY
The Performing Arts Academy will be a fun, challenging learning environment. The students in the Academy will be given every opportunity to learn about their own creativity in a supportive, non judgemental environment. However, students must also bring their own best behavior to the classroom in order to participate.

Students will be assessed every quarter.

Grading
You must maintain your academic standing of 2.5 or better and you must meet the criteria set forth below in order to continue with the program.  See the Academy Handbook for complete information on the point system that establishes a student's quarterly, semester and final grade.

Students are graded by the teachers in the various disciplines they study. Grading consideration will consist of Participation, Growth, Attitude/Respect, Talent, Test Scores, Homework and Rehearsal/classroom Conduct.  By far the most important of these considerations is participation (which includes absences) and growth.

• Participation/Attendance - At the end of two years, students will recieve a certificate of completion - if and only if they have not been absent more than 18 days.  Students who have been absent more than 18 days (9 days per year), will recieve a certificate of participation only.
  • Participation is a major part of each student's grade.  By missing class or missing rehearsals, students will find their grade point average is affected. 
  • Students recieve 10 points for each day they are present.  They receive a 0 for each day they are absent, excused or not.  Points lost for excused absences may be made up with extra credit work.  Unexcused absence points cannot be redeemed. 
  • Students will receive ten free 'planned absence days' during the school year - that is days where their absence is not counted against them as long as the proper forms are completed and the reason for the absence fits into the State of Ohio's guidlines.
  • Students whose absences become a habit where it begins to affect rehearsals or the classroom's progress, will risk being expelled from the Academy.
  • In order to protect your child, Parents will be contacted by e-mail every day a student is absent.  Parents are requested to supply the Academy with both phone numbers and e-mail addresses that will allow us to be in touch with you if your child should have a problem.
  • Students with perfect attendance will be given automatic extra credit.
    
    
• Respect - Students are expected to respect the exercises, thier homework assignements, the work in class, the rehearsal process, their teachers, their guest artists and their colleagues. 
  • Respect issues include:
    • Proper Rehearsal Dress (see rehearsal dress below)
    • The use of cell phones during class will be an automatic 0 for the day (it will be the same as an absence)  The cell phone will be confiscated.
    • The use of i-pods or other electronic devices will not be used in class unless specifically instructed by the teacher
    • Turning in homework that is not neat, legible and well presented will affect your grade.
    • Speaking during class, during lecture, during scene work will earn those involved demerits.
    • You will not criticize or make fun of one another's work. It is rude and hurtful. It simply will not be allowed. You will practice affirmative critique in all that you do.  Disrespect in this area will take points away from your participation grade.
      
      
  • If a student shows disrespect to any aspect of the work or any student in the Academy that student will risk dismissal.
    
    
• PERSONAL BEHAVIOR
  No violence, drugs, alchohol or foul language. No romantic or sexual behavior will be allowed in the classroom. All students must also adhere to all rules of behavior set forth by the Chagrin Falls School System.
  
  
• DRESS CODE
  Because of the physical nature of our work, where your bodies are being stretched, and moved, where you must find yourself in imaginative physical situations, you must come to class and rehearsal dressed in such a way that preserves your modesty and does not create self conciousness. 
  
  Much of what goes for acceptible modern dress in the school room is not acceptible for rehearsal and class and the Academy.  Below is the dress code for all students.  Lockers will be provided so that you may change from your 'street' clothes to your rehearsal attire.
  
  
  • Each student must dress in attire that is in good taste and is not distracting or revealing.  Students must wear clothing that allows for free movement.  Generally, work out clothes, sweats, mid-thigh shorts, loose pants and
    t-shirts (not sleeveless) are acceptable. No tank tops. 
    
    No girl should wear a skirt to rehearsal unless is a designated rehearsal skirt, very loose and mid calf length.  Appropriate undergarments, such as dancer trunks or tights are also necessary should you wear a skirt.
    
    Tennis shoes are acceptable footwear for rehearsals, although we highly recommend investing in comfortable character shoes and a pair of black jazz shoes.  Proper footwear is important to movement and characterization.
    
    
    • Students may, at their discretion develop a rehearsal attire from the suggestions above, hower the following is the highly recommended rehearsal wear.
      
      
    • Men:  Please wear loose, comfortable clothing (with no caps or hats) such as black loose pants, a white button down cotton shirt either long sleeved or short sleeved, which will allow for complete freedom of movement.  Character shoes of black jazz shoes with black socks.  NO BARE FEET. 
      
      
    • Women: No heels, mini-skirts, or clothes that restrict movement.  Pants must be waist high - not hip high.  No Jeans.  No Skin Tight Pants, unless you wear leotards. NO BARE FEET.

 

Jill Tighe in Class

Zoe Conley rehearsing the "witch" scene from Macbeth

Gabriella Mack and Kyle Marbury rehearsing Polonius and Ophelia from Hamlet

Ethan Rosenfeld in Voice Class

Jill Tighe and Nick Hyland rehearsing Cyrano

Alex Ward in Class

Julie Kolibab working out a scene in acting class