Unit
in Drama One Curriculum
Drama One Final Project
Created by Karen Loftus
5 lessons
The final project will incorporate multiple areas that students have studied over the course of the year/semester: playwriting, acting, scenic design, and marketing. They are putting everything they’ve learned into a final package, including writing, rehearsing, and performing.
Start here
The overview lays out the structure of the unit, including objectives, materials list, lesson structure and assessment and time management tools.
-
1Lesson 1Week 1: Brainstorming, Start WritingStudents will be given the expectations for the individual final project, starting with a playwriting assignment.
-
2Lesson 2Week 2: Writing the PlayStudents are given time to write their own plays, and gain feedback from their peers.
-
3Lesson 3Week 3: Technical ElementsStudents write a 2-3 paragraph essay about the overall design of their play. A checklist is included for both technical elements and design description.
-
4Lesson 4Week 4: The MonologueStudents memorize the monologue that they wrote and included in their scripts, rehearse, and give peer feedback. A reflection is included.
-
5Lesson 5Week 5: Final Submission and PerformanceStudents hand in all the elements of this project referring back to the included Final Project Assignment Sheet. An assignment sheet is provided to make sure they have everything in the correct order. They must connect this assignment sheet to their packet of submitted materials.
Standards Addressed
Speech Drama 10
- 10 demonstrate safe and appropriate projection
- 11 demonstrate how phrasing and pausing, intonation, rate and rhythm affect meaning
- 2 apply effective breathing techniques
- 3 recognize the effect of good posture on voice
- 4 demonstrate knowledge of the parts of the body that are associated with voice production: vocal tracts, lungs, diaphragm, bronchi, trachea, larynx, uvula, pharynx, vocal folds
- 5 recognize how the jaw, lips, tongue, teeth and velum play an important role in articulation
- 7 demonstrate knowledge of the terms intonation, pitch, projection, rate, volume, rhythm, resonance, pausing and phrasing in speech activities
- 8 recognize the resonators’ contribution to vocal quality
- 9 use and practice levels of pitch
Speech Drama 20
Improvisation Drama 10
- 1 use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
- 10 demonstrate appropriate rehearsal methods
- 13 communicate meaning without words
- 14 discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
- 15 initiate a dramatic situation in response to a given stimulus
- 16 make logical choices spontaneously within the boundaries of situation and character
- 19 demonstrate techniques for creating effective entrances and exits, consistent with character
- 2 demonstrate the ability to be still
- 24 select and use vocal techniques appropriate to a character
- 25 select and use language appropriate to character and situation
- 26 use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to a character
- 27 demonstrate economy in movement and speech by making appropriate selections
- 28 demonstrate how attitude, and change in attitude, affects a character
- 30 demonstrate understanding of and apply the concepts of a character’s objectives and motivation
- 31 demonstrate the ability to focus on, and achieve, the objective of a scene
- 32 sustain a character throughout a scene or exercise
- 9 use appropriate stage directions
Improvisation Drama 30
Acting Drama 20
Acting Drama 30
Movement Drama 10
- 1 display the ability to be still
- 10 demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
- 18 appreciate that physical expression can enhance language
- 22 translate words, images and emotions into movement
- 23 demonstrate non-verbally the who, what, where, why and when of a story
- 5 demonstrate effective breathing techniques
- 7 display proper body alignment
Technical Theatre/Design 10-20-30 - Management - Business
Technical Theatre/Design 10-20-30 - Management - Properties
Technical Theatre/Design 10-20-30 - Management - Set
- 1 demonstrate understanding of the purpose of stage scenery
- 10 demonstrate understanding of and use ground plans
- 11 demonstrate understanding of proper placement of stage scenery: balancing, angling, masking, sight lines, backdrops, scrims
- 2 recognize the importance of illusion in set design
- 3 recognize the importance of artistic unity in set design
- 4 recognize and use theatre terminology related to the proscenium
- 6 recognize different types of stages: proscenium, thrust, arena, flexible
- 8 recognize different types of scenery: bare stage, curtain set, drop and wing set, box set, unit set, suggestive or selective set, flats, projections, scrims, cyclorama
- 9 demonstrate understanding of and use scale
Playwriting - Drama 20
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
Junior Goal II Objectives
- become familiar with disciplines that enhance dramatic process
- become familiar with dramatic terminology and script format
- develop belief in, identification with, and commitment to a role
- develop the ability to give form or expression to feelings, ideas and images
- develop the body and voice as tools of communication
- explore specific techniques demanded by various dramatic forms
- gain awareness of how the integration of disciplines enriches dramatic communication
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
- communicate through use of voice and body
- demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
- demonstrate awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of drama/theatre
- focus concentration on one task at a time
- generate imaginative and creative solutions to problems
- listen effectively
- meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
- move in a variety of ways
- recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
- share ideas confidently with others
- support positively the work of others
Movement Level I - Beginning
Movement Level II - Intermediate
Speech Level I - Beginning
Speech Level II - Intermediate
Speech Level III - Advanced
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
- 15 use the body and body language to enhance characterization
- 16 demonstrate economy in movement and speech
- 17 select and use language appropriate to a given character and situation
- 18 use voice variety to enhance a character
- 19 discover how feelings affect a character
- 20 enter and exit in character
- 21 sustain a character throughout an exercise or scene
- 22 create business appropriate to character and situation
- 23 demonstrate understanding of character motivation
Junior Goal I Objectives
- develop a positive self-image
- develop a sense of responsibility and commitment
- develop self-confidence
- develop self-discipline
- develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
- explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities
- extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions
- extend the ability to think imaginatively and creatively
- strengthen powers of concentration
Theatre Studies Level III - Advanced (The script)
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
- 10 demonstrate understanding of and use appropriate methods and tools for designing the project; e.g., makeup charts, cue sheets, working drawing
- 11 arrange and sequence time, ideas, information, materials and/or personnel for achievement of the project
- 6 demonstrate understanding of the importance of planning and organization
- 7 select a project appropriate to the component being studied
- 8 demonstrate understanding of the use of colour, shape and texture to achieve a desired effect
- 9 use sketching to explore ideas for the project
Senior Goal I Objectives
- apply imaginative and creative thought to problem-solving situations
- demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
- 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 positive and realistic self-image
- develop a sense of inquiry and commitment to learning
- extend physical and vocal capabilities
- extend the ability to concentrate
- extend the ability to control and express emotions
- increase self-confidence
- increase self-discipline
- sharpen observations of people, situations and the environment
Senior Goal II Objectives
- be capable of creating and expressing a believable character from scripted and non-scripted material
- develop techniques that enhance vocal and physical communication
- develop the ability to select appropriate physical and vocal expression for feelings, ideas and images
- develop the ability to understand and apply the specific presentation techniques demanded by various dramatic forms
- extend the ability to give form and expression to feelings, ideas and images
Senior Goal III Objectives
Orientation Drama 10
- concentrate on the task at hand
- demonstrate behaviour appropriate to given circumstances
- demonstrate effective use and management of time
- demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
- demonstrate willingness to challenge and extend oneself: physically, emotionally, intellectually and artistically
- listen to self and others
- make effective decisions or choices
- solve problems imaginatively and creatively
- work cooperatively and productively
- work with abstract concepts
Get instant access to this and everything else in the Drama Teacher Academy
