Understanding basic improvisation skills will help musical theatre performers understand that musical theatre is more than just singing and dancing. It’s about using all the tools (voice, body, and mind) an actor has at their disposal to create a character.
This unit focuses more on the improv aspect rather than the musical theatre aspects - in fact students need no prior musical theatre knowledge. Annie Dragoo, creator of the unit, uses this material as her first unit in her musical theatre class. It’s a great introduction and will get your students in the right frame of mind to approach musical theatre.
The lessons explore a variety of improv skills such as vocal responses, movement, character study, sensory awareness and culminate in an improv scene and unit essay.
The overview lays out the lessons and descriptions for each for the unit.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of improv guidelines by using them in an exercise. This is an introductory improv lesson that is designed to build upon the actors’ tools in future lessons.
Students will demonstrate ability to respond vocally by participating in various improvisation activities.
Students will demonstrate ability to improvise movement by participating in a various activities.
Students will demonstrate ability to develop a character by participating in various improvisation exercises.
Students will demonstrate sensory awareness by improvising an everyday activity while paying attention to as many sensory details as possible.
Students will demonstrate ability to use voice, body, and imagination/mind together by planning and performing an improvised scene.
Students will evaluate the value of improvisation in musical theatre by writing a five-paragraph essay.
6.TH:Cr3.b - Identify effective physical and vocal traits of characters in a drama/theatre work.
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
Tennessee Theatre standards (2018) standards were built using the framework of the NCAS which is built on four key domains: Creating, Performing/Presenting/Producing, Connecting, and Responding. Within each of these domains are foundations and standards to support the development of curriculum, programs, and learning.
(source: Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Academic Standards for Fine Arts, Summer 2018)
Please refer to National Core Arts Standards to determine the standard that best suits your needs.
C.1.D - develop an understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
C.1.E - identify theatrical vocabulary and terminology, including basic anatomy of theatre spaces.
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
B.2.A - demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
B.2.G - create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
B.1.B - explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.E - apply knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
C.1.A - apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques effectively.
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
10 - demonstrate appropriate rehearsal methods
16 - make logical choices spontaneously within the boundaries of situation and character
20 - critique the work of self and others through observation and expression of specific detail
24 - select and use vocal techniques appropriate to a character
3 - maintain concentration during exercises
develop awareness of drama and theatre presentations as possible
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
12 - make logical choices within the boundaries of situation and character
2 - respond to directions without breaking concentration-side coaching
5 - create and tell a story spontaneously
7 - use stage vocabulary: stage areas, body positions and crosses
8 - demonstrate appropriate rehearsal behaviours and routines
9 - communicate a clear beginning, middle and end in spontaneous and planned scenes
13 - recognize the techniques of offering, accepting, advancing and blocking
18 - use voice variety to enhance a character
21 - sustain a character throughout an exercise or scene
24 - recognize that relationships exist between characters in given situations
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
Take creative risks to experience and express thoughts, emotions, and meaning
Collaborate through reciprocal relationships during creative processes
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience