PD Course
The Process of Creativity in the Theatre Classroom
Created by Gai Jones
6 modules
2 hours, 38 minutes
5 Credit Hours
Gai Jones leads this course in establishing an environment of creative experimentation in the theatre classroom, in order to have a group of student actors who value the creative process.
Each lesson shares experiences to foster creativity without the stress of performance by student actors. For the creative process which honors out-of-the-box thinking, there is no assessment section included. There is no product or performance. The important thing is the student actor’s engagement. Their reflections and your observations are valued for positive learning.
This set of lessons includes Tips for the Theatre Educator, based on Gai's own Theatre practice. Scripts are also provided and contain text of what you can say to your students to facilitate their creative processes.
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0Lesson 0Introduction14:55 FREE PREVIEWThis module introduces the course and sets out objectives for each subsequent lesson.
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1Lesson 1Setting the Stage34:05 FREE PREVIEWThis lesson addresses establishing norms to foster creativity for the student actors’ personal journeys, in working with the five senses, first responses and answering open-ended silly questions.
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2Lesson 2Small and Large Group Experiences31:11This lesson focuses on small and large group ensemble experiences for creative development, while student actors are working with each others.
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3Lesson 3Physical Choices31:39This lesson details how your student actors can develop creativity in their physical choices.
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4Lesson 4Vocal Experiences22:28This lesson presents creativity experiences with vocal work.
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5Lesson 5Improvisation24:24This lesson covers creativity in improvisation exercises.
Standards Addressed
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
8.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Sixth Grade
- DT.6.1.2.b Students Can: Contribute ideas and accept and incorporate the ideas of others in preparing or devising a drama/theatre work.
- DT.6.1.4.b Students Can: Identify and employ effective physical and vocal traits of characters in an improvised or scripted drama/theatre work.
- DT.6.2.1.b Students Can: Experiment with various physical and vocal choices to communicate character in a drama/theatre work.
- DT.6.2.2.a Students Can: Participate in a variety of acting exercises and techniques that can be applied in a rehearsal or drama/theatre performance.
Seventh Grade
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.68.C.1.2 Develop a character analysis to support artistic portrayal.
- TH.912.C.1.5 Make and defend conscious choices in the creation of a character that will fulfill anticipated audience response.
- TH.912.C.2.8 Improve a performance or project using various self-assessment tools, coaching, feedback, and/or constructive criticism.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
Organizational Structure
Skills, Techniques & Processes
- TH.68.S.1.2 Invent a character with distinct behavior(s) based on observations of people in the real world and interact with others in a cast as the invented characters.
- TH.68.S.2.1 Discuss the value of collaboration in theatre and work together to create a theatrical production.
- TH.68.S.3.1 Develop characterizations, using basic acting skills, appropriate for selected dramatizations.
- TH.912.S.2.8 Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
- TH.912.S.3.2 Exercise artistic discipline and collaboration to achieve ensemble in rehearsal and performance.
- TH.912.S.3.3 Develop acting skills and techniques in the rehearsal process.
Grade 7 - Creating
- TA7.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify and rehearse effective communication skills.<br/>b. Compare and contrast character types and relationships by analyzing character motivations, objectives, and goals.<br/>c. Compare the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a character.<br/>d. Investigate the role and responsibility of the cast and crew.<br/>e. Identify and model ensemble skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Utilize staging and blocking choices to enhance the performance.<br/>g. Compare, contrast, and design elements of technical theatre.<br/>h. Utilize theatre vocabulary throughout the rehearsal process.
- TA7.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Create ideas for stories.<br/>b. Analyze the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>d. Utilize dramatic conventions in the scriptwriting process (e.g. stage directions, dialogue, scenes).
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Seventh Grade Present
Eighth Grade Create
Beginning High School Create
Beginning High School Present
- B.PR.1.2 Communicate characters, situations, and scenarios using body and voice while adhering to staging conventions.
- B.PR.2.2 Demonstrate appropriate theatre audience behavior with the understanding of the impact on performers and technicians.
- B.PR.2.4 Identify the responsibilities of a performer in a variety of theatrical venues.
Accomplished High School Create
Accomplished High School Present
Advanced High School Present
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
- C.1.B develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
- C.1.D develop and practice effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
- C.1.F demonstrate a working knowledge of the language of theatre such as stage terminology, elements of theatre, or theatrical conventions.
- C.1.J identify the principles of improvisation.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
Speech Drama 10
Speech Drama 30
Improvisation Drama 10
Improvisation Drama 20
Acting Drama 30
Movement Drama 10
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Orientation
Movement Level I - Beginning
Movement Level II - Intermediate
Speech Level I - Beginning
Speech Level III - Advanced
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
Junior Goal I Objectives
Senior Goal I Objectives
Orientation Drama 10
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade Six
Grade Six
- 6.12 The student will demonstrate how meaning is expressed both physically (through movement, gesture, and other forms of physical expression) and verbally (through vocal choices).
- 6.13 The student will identify techniques and skills for actor preparation, including memorization and warm ups for performance.
Grade Seven
Grade Seven
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