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Unit
Designing with Light: No Tech Required
Created by Kerry Hishon
The exercises within this unit are meant for students to explore the concept of lighting for theatre without the need for extensive tech or even a theatrical lighting grid.
This unit is useful for students with no prior experience with lighting or students who may be intimidated by the idea of theatre technology.
Each exercise is meant to build upon the previous one, as students grow in their confidence with thinking about lighting in different ways.
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The overview sets the objective, outline and material needs for the unit, as well as assessment and general instruction.
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1Lesson 1Introduction and Exercise 1The exercises within this unit are meant for students to explore the concept of lighting for theatre without the need for extensive tech or even a theatrical lighting grid. Each exercise is meant to build upon the previous one, as students grow in their confidence with thinking about lighting in different ways.
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2Lesson 2Exercise 2: Concept CreationStudents work in groups of 2 or 3 for this exercise on concept creation.
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3Lesson 3Exercise 3: Found Lighting SourcesIn this exercise, students are given the opportunity to explore different methods of creating lighting effects using items and resources found around them.
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4Lesson 4Exercise 4: Shadow PuppetryIn this exercise, students will create a short shadow puppetry scene behind a sheet that is backlit.
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5Lesson 5Exercise 5: Notating and Communicating Your ConceptThis exercise takes the concept creation ideas explored in a previous exercise and has students notate their lighting plans on a script.
Standards Addressed
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 7
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
6.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
6.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
7.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
7.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
7.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Prof.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Sixth Grade
- DT.6.1.1.b Students Can: Identify possible solutions to design challenges in a drama/theatre work.
- DT.6.2.2.b Students Can: Articulate how technical elements are integrated into a drama/theatre work.
- DT.6.3.1.a Students Can: Describe and record personal reactions to artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
Seventh Grade
- DT.7.1.1.b Students Can: Explain and present possible solutions to design challenges in a drama/theater work.
- DT.7.2.2.b Students Can: Choose a variety of technical elements that can be applied to a design in a drama/theatre work.
- DT.7.3.4.b Students Can: Examine the aesthetics of the production elements in a drama/theatre work.
High School - Fundamental Pathway
- DT.H1.1.1.b Students Can: Explore the impact of technology on design choices in a drama/theatre work.
- DT.H1.3.1.a Students Can: Respond to what is seen, felt, and heard in a drama/theatre work to develop criteria for artistic choices.
- DT.H1.3.4.b Students Can: Evaluate the aesthetics of the production elements in a drama/theatre work.
High School - Advanced Pathway
Language
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.68.C.2.3 Ask questions to understand a peer's artistic choices for a performance or design.
- TH.912.C.1.3 Justify a response to a theatrical experience through oral or written analysis, using correct theatre terminology.
- TH.912.C.2.4 Collaborate with a team to outline several potential solutions to a design problem and rank them in order of likely success.
- TH.912.C.2.6 Assess a peer's artistic choices in a production as a foundation for one's own artistic growth.
Historical & Global Connections
Grade 6 - Performing
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
- TAHSFT.RE.1 Engage actively and appropriately as an audience member.<br/>a. Articulate why the relationship between the audience and performers is critical to the success of the production and demonstrate appropriate audience behavior.<br/>b. State and support aesthetic judgments through experience in diverse styles and genres of theatre.
- TAHSFT.RE.2 Critique various aspects of theatre and other media using appropriate supporting evidence.<br/>a. Generate and use terminology for critiquing theatre presentations.<br/>b. Analyze performance and utilize various effective forms of criticism to respond to and/or improve performance.
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Beginning High School Create
Beginning High School Present
Beginning High School Respond
Intermediate High School Create
Intermediate High School Present
Intermediate High School Respond
Accomplished High School Connect
Accomplished High School Create
Accomplished High School Present
Advanced High School Present
Beginning High School Standards - Aesthetics
Intermediate High School Standards - Aesthetics
Proficient High School Standards - Aesthetics
Advanced High School Standards - Aesthetics
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: production
- C.3.A develop and practice technical theatre skills.
- C.3.B apply technical knowledge and skills safely to create or operate theatrical elements such as scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, current technology, or publicity.
- C.3.D demonstrate responsibility, artistic discipline, and creative problem solving by concentrating in one or more areas of theatre production such as acting, technical theatre, or theatre management.
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.317 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
Improvisation Drama 10
Theatre Studies Drama 20
Technical Theatre/Design 10-20-30 - Lighting
- 1 demonstrate understanding of the purpose of stage lighting
- 10 demonstrate safe and proper care in handling and maintaining available lighting instruments
- 2 recognize the importance of illusion in lighting design
- 3 demonstrate understanding of the important of artistic unity in lighting design
- 4 demonstrate knowledge of appropriate safety procedures
- 5 demonstrate understanding of functions of standard lighting instruments: flood, fresnel, ellipsoidal, follow spotlight, border lights
- 6 demonstrate understanding of functions of gels, barn doors, gobos, c-clamps, shutters
- 7 demonstrate understanding of basic functions of lighting control systems
- 8 demonstrate understanding of symbolism and psychological implications of colour, angle, intensity and timing in creating mood
- 9 demonstrate understanding that gels affect the way colour is perceived in scenery, costume and makeup
Junior Orientation
- generate imaginative and creative solutions to problems
- listen effectively
- meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
- offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
- support positively the work of others
- understand that technical elements enhance verbal/physical communication
- work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large groups
Junior Goal I Objectives
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Awareness
- 1 recognize the basic terminology associated with the component being studied
- 2 demonstrate understanding of the basic functions of the component being studied.
- 3 show awareness of the importance of research
- 4 show awareness of available resources pertaining to the component being studied; e.g., supplies, libraries and theatre companies
- 5 demonstrate understanding of the various conventions of the components being studied
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Readiness
Technical Theatre - Application
Senior Goal I Objectives
- demonstrate a sense of inquiry and commitment, individually and to the group
- demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
- demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
- demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
- demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- demonstrate the ability to offer, accept, and reflect upon, constructive criticism
- develop a sense of inquiry and commitment to learning
- extend the ability to concentrate
- increase self-discipline
Senior Goal III Objectives
Orientation Drama 10
- concentrate on the task at hand
- demonstrate effective use and management of time
- demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
- listen to self and others
- make effective decisions or choices
- offer and accept constructive criticism with a desire to progress
- positively support the work of others
- share ideas confidently
- solve problems imaginatively and creatively
- work cooperatively and productively
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
Grade 6 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing
- B2.1 express personal responses and preferences and make connections to themes and issues presented in their own and others’ drama works
- B2.2 identify a favourite scene and give reasons for their preference, using correct drama terminology to describe how the elements of drama contribute to its effectiveness
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
- C.1.1 identify the drama forms, elements, conventions, and techniques used in their own and others’ drama works, and explain how the various components are used, or can be used, to achieve specific effects, with a focus on ensemble drama works (e.g., how a comic drama form can be used to convey a serious message, how setting and time period can be used to sharpen the focus on a moral dilemma, how characters can be used to vary the mood within a drama)
- C.1.3 demonstrate an understanding of production roles, practices, and terminology when planning and presenting drama works (e.g., set design, costume design, lighting plot, light cue sheet, sound cue sheet, prompt book, set sketch, set model)
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade 11 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Technical Theatre
Technical Theatre
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