Unit
in Stagecraft Without a Theatre Curriculum
Scenic Design
Created by Karen Loftus
6 lessons
stagecraft
Students will explore the creation of an environment through the art of scenic design. They will identify what scenic design is and how it helps to tell a story in theatre. Students will also identify and demonstrate some skills of a scenic designer as they analyze an excerpt of a script for scenic clues and demonstrate basic drafting and rendering.
Start here
The overview lays out the objective of the unit, the timeline and list of lessons, and assessment plan.
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1Lesson 1What is Scenic Design?Students explore the effect scenic design can have on storytelling using designed environments from known TV shows and movies.
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2Lesson 2The Scenic Design ProcessStudents explore the process of scenic design so they: • Have a guided path for work that they might create. • Understand what information designers need in order to create.
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3Lesson 3Utilizing the ScriptStudents analyze a script to determine scenic needs. They utilize thumbnail sketches to explore potential designs for a play.
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4Lesson 4Drafting - Part 1Students explore an element of scenic design and apply their knowledge in a drafting exercise. They will use this information when they create a ground plan as part of their scenic design.
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5Lesson 5Drafting - Part 2Students apply their knowledge by creating a ground plan.
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6Lesson 6RenderingStudents explore an element of scenic design and apply their knowledge to create a rendering.
Standards Addressed
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient
6.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
7.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
High School - Fundamental Pathway
- DT.H1.1.1.a Students Can: Apply basic research to construct ideas about the visual composition of a drama/theatre work.
- DT.H1.1.4.c Students Can: Refine technical design choices to support the story and emotional impact of a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
- DT.H1.2.2.b Students Can: Use research and script analysis to discover the impact design has for a drama/theatre production.
Language
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.912.C.1.4 Research and define the physical/visual elements necessary to create theatrical reality for a specific historical and/or geographical play.
- TH.912.C.1.7 Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
- TH.912.C.2.3 Analyze different types of stage configurations to determine the effects of each as potential production solutions.
Historical & Global Connections
Organizational Structure
Skills, Techniques & Processes
- TH.912.S.1.8 Use research to extract clues in dramatic texts to create performances or technical elements, choosing those that are most interesting and that best convey dramatic intent.
- TH.912.S.2.1 Create one or more technical design documents for a theatrical production.
- TH.912.S.3.1 Articulate, based on research, the rationale for artistic choices in casting, staging, or technical design for a scene from original or scripted material.
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE MANAGEMENT - Creating
Beginning High School Create
Beginning High School Present
Intermediate High School Create
Accomplished High School Connect
Accomplished High School Create
Accomplished High School Present
Advanced High School Create
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 - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Historical and cultural relevance
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: production
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
- 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
- 7 demonstrate understanding of symbolism and psychological implications of colour, texture, line, mass and form
- 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
Junior Orientation
Junior Goal I Objectives
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Awareness
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
- 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
Senior Goal III Objectives
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
- Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
- Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists' intentions
- Research, describe, interpret and evaluate how artists (dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists) use processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques, and environments in the arts
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
- Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
- Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists’ intentions
- Research, describe, interpret and evaluate how artists (dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists) use processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques, and environments in the arts
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
- Describe, interpret and evaluate how artists (dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists) use processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques, and environments to create and communicate ideas
- Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
- Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists motivations and meanings
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade 12 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Theatre Arts II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
Technical Theatre
Technical Theatre
Technical Theatre
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