Musical theatre performers use their bodies to sing, to dance, and to act. We must think of our bodies as instruments and learn to use our instruments properly in order to be better musical theatre performers.
The overall objective with this unit, by Annie Dragoo, is for students to demonstrate an understanding of the use of good movement as it connects to musical theatre. Some of the activities include using action verbs, moving as animals and inanimate characters, nonverbal communication and situational movement. Students will then perform a scene that will allow them to put to practice all the movement techniques they have learned.
The overview lays out the objectives, lessons, and assessment guide for the unit.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the body’s importance to an actor.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of actable verbs by using them in a scene. They will be introduced to the concepts of motivation, objective, and tactics.
Students will demonstrate their ability to physically achieve an objective by using their bodies in a musical scene.
Students will demonstrate their ability to move like an inanimate object by performing a scene.
Students will demonstrate their ability to use physical variety by utilizing three levels of physicalizing emotions to music.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of simple action by performing or coaching the performer to deliver a love poem while using three simple actions.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of situational movement by performing a scene.
Students will demonstrate their ability to find occupation while waiting by performing a scene.
Students will rehearse and perform a scene plus song incorporating specific movement. After the performance, students will complete a self-assessment checklist.
TH:Pr4.1.7.b - Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re7.1.8.a - Apply criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Pr5.1.6.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
TH:Pr6.1.HSI.a - Perform a scripted drama/theatre work for a specific audience.
7.TH:Pr4.b - Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.
8.TH:Re7 - Apply appropriate criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
6.TH:Pr5.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
Acc.TH:Cr2.b - Cooperate as a creative team to make interpretive choices for a drama/theatre work.
6.TH:Cr3.b - Identify effective physical and vocal traits of characters in a drama/theatre work.
Prof.TH:Pr6 - Perform a rehearsed, scripted short drama/theatre work for a specific audience.
I.C.2.2 - Interpret scenes through formal and informal presentations.
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.C - respond to sounds, music, images, and the written word, incorporating movement.
C.1.E - identify theatrical vocabulary and terminology, including basic anatomy of theatre spaces.
B.1.B - develop and apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.2.G - create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
B.1.B - explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.C - create expressive movement and mime to define space and characters.
B.2.B - portray characters through familiar movements and dialogue.
C.1.B - develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
C.2.A - model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
C.1.A - apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques effectively.
C.1.A - create and demonstrate theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
C.2.D - interpret scripted scenes of various styles to portray believable characters.
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
13 - communicate meaning without words
14 - discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
26 - use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to 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
5 - create experiences through imaging, visualizing and fantasizing
36 - integrate improvisational skills learned, in planned and spontaneous improvisations
10 - demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
14 - create physically shapes in space
15 - use basic locomotor movements (eg. walking, running, crawling) to explore space
16 - create and repeat patterns of movement
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
24 - demonstrate understanding of mood, and communicate mood
communicate through use of voice and body
demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
focus concentration on one task at a time
meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
share ideas confidently with others
10 - use varying speed of movement
11 - use directions and pathways
17 - use movement to communicate non-verbally
18 - create movement in response to music
19 - translate sounds, words, images, and emotions into movement
4 - recognize the need for and demonstrate warmup activities
5 - move individual body parts
7 - demonstrate awareness of his or her own body and its movement potential
8 - display increased freedom of movement
9 - travel through space in a variety of ways e.g., running, creeping and jumping
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
10 - use essential story elements in spontaneous and planned scenes
11 - create a dramatic situation in response to varied stimuli: objects, pictures, music
12 - make logical choices within the boundaries of situation and character
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
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 initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
extend the ability to concentrate
sharpen observations of people, situations and the environment
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
A.3.2 - use different acting approaches to explore and depict character in a variety of situations
A.2.1 - use the elements of drama to achieve specific purposes in drama works