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Laban: Advanced Characterization

Created by Drama Teacher Academy

Laban: Advanced Characterization

This is an advanced acting unit in playing character through the Laban movement technique. Students will explore dance theorist Rudolf Laban’s eight efforts and their component parts; turn these elements into physicalizations through which one can express character; use Laban efforts and connect them to a character’s voice and body; and demonstrate knowledge through the creation of an original character.

Reminder: This is an advanced acting unit. You will need students who can do work on their own outside of class time, commit to movement and sound, and commit to making instinctual choices.

Overview
The overview outlines the lesson plan for the unit, and includes time management guidelines, assessment strategies, and connections to IB Theatre.
Additional Attachments
1: Introduction
In this lesson, students will explore character movement and will be introduced to dance theorist Rudolf Laban’s definition of human movement. This technique will be the foundation for the character development in this unit.
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2: The Eight Efforts
In this lesson, students will learn, explore, and apply Laban’s eight efforts and their specific elements through an Impulse Improv exercise.
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3: Laban and Voice
In this lesson, students will practice applying the elements and efforts before choosing an effort to perform a monologue based on text analysis and the given situation for their characters.
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4: Character Creation: Part 1
In this lesson, students will start the creation process for their original characters. This is Steps 2 and 3 of the Extended Character Assignment. Students will complete a character analysis, a character psychophysical profile, and then try out their character on their feet using a chosen Laban effort.
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5: Intention Substitution
In this lesson, students will return to the Laban technique. They will practice applying the elements and efforts before taking on a specific exercise that will give students another tool for their toolbox in working on a scene.
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6: Character Creation: Part 2
In this lesson, students will spend one class rehearsing their characters. In the second class period, students will receive three additional assignments that they will use as part of their capstone performance. They will have two class periods (Classes 2 and 3) to work on these assignments, with the understanding that they will have to complete any unfinished work on their own time. In the fourth class period, students will participate in a Character Showoff.
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7: Capstone Performance
In this culminating lesson, students will apply what they have learned with a capstone performance featuring their original characters.
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Standards Addressed

National Core Arts Standards

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6

TH:Pr4.1.6.b - Experiment with various physical choices to communicate character in a drama/theatre work.

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7

TH:Pr4.1.7.b - Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8

TH:Pr4.1.8.a - Explore different pacing to better communicate the story in a drama/theatre work.

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6

TH:Pr5.1.6.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 8

TH:Pr5.1.8.a - Use a variety of acting techniques to increase skills in a rehearsal or drama/theatre performance.

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient

TH:Pr5.1.HSI.a - Practice various acting techniques to expand skills in a rehearsal or drama/theatre performance.

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

TH:Pr5.1.HSII.a - Refine a range of acting skills to build a believable and sustainable drama/theatre performance.

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 6

TH:Pr6.1.6.a - Adapt a drama/theatre work and present it informally for an audience.

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7

TH:Pr6.1.7.a - Participate in rehearsals for a drama/theatre work that will be shared with an audience.

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8

TH:Cr3.1.8.b - Refine effective physical, vocal, and physiological traits of characters in an improvised or scripted drama/ theatre work.

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

TH:Pr6.1.8.a - Perform a rehearsed drama/theatre work for an audience.

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient

TH:Cr3.1.HSI.b - Explore physical, vocal and physiological choices to develop a performance that is believable, authentic, and relevant to a drama/theatre work.

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Proficient

TH:Pr6.1.HSI.a - Perform a scripted drama/theatre work for a specific audience.

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Accomplished

TH:Cr3.1.HSII.b - Use research and script analysis to revise physical, vocal, and physiological choices impacting the believability and relevance of a drama/ theatre work.

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