Created by Lindsay Price
In the 21st century, we are living in a time of great change for criticism and the role of the critic. Previously, one negative review from the New York Times could close a Broadway show. Now the audience as critic is a topic of much debate. Are professional critics and informed opinions necessary? What is the power of the audience critic? What is the role of the critic and the role of criticism in today’s theatre?
This unit will take students through a brief history of the theatre critic from the 500 reviews that came out of Ibsen’s one-night performance of Ghosts in 1891, to the tumultuous landscape of social media criticism. Students will then apply what they’ve learned by writing on or theatricalizing the role of the critic in a culminating assignment.
National Core Arts Standards
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade 6
TH:Re7.1.6.a - Describe and record personal reactions to artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade 7
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Re7.1.8.a - Apply criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 6
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 7
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Re8.1.8.c - Apply personal aesthetics, preferences, and beliefs to evaluate a drama/theatre work.
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 6
TH:Re9.1.6.a - Use supporting evidence and criteria to evaluate
TH:Re9.1.6.c - Identify a specific audience or purpose for a drama/theatre work.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 7
TH:Re9.1.7.b - Consider the aesthetics of the production elements in a drama/theatre work.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 8
Common Core
Speaking and Listening
Language
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
6.TH:Re7 - Describe and record personal reactions to artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
8.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
8.TH:Re7 - Apply appropriate criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
Prof.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Acc.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Adv.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
6.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
7.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
8.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
8.TH.Re8.c - Apply personal aesthetics, preferences, and beliefs to evaluate a drama/theatre work.
Prof.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
6.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
6.TH.Re9.a - Use supporting evidence and criteria to evaluate drama/theatre work.
6.TH.Re9.b - Identify a specific audience or purpose for a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
8.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
TH.912.C.1.7 - Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
Skills, Techniques & Processes
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 6 - Responding
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
North Carolina Essential Standards
Intermediate High School Standards - Analysis
Advanced High School Standards - Analysis
A.A.1.2 - Critique performances of written texts based on a set of given criteria.
Tennessee Theatre Curriculum Standards
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.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.C - identify production elements of theatre, film, television, and other media.
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - apply knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.317 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.318 LIV - Critical evaluation and response
Alberta, Canada
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
focus concentration on one task at a time
meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
Junior Goal I Objectives
develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
Theatre Studies Level 1 - Beginning (performance analysis)
Senior Goal III Objectives
demonstrate the ability to assess critically the process and the art
Orientation Drama 10
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
Explore relationships between identity, place, culture, society, and belonging through the arts
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Examine relationships between the arts and the wider world
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
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Describe, interpret and respond to works of art and explore artists’ intent
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
Explore relationships between identity, place, culture, society, and belonging through 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
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - 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 motivations and meanings
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Describe, analyze, and respond using drama-specific language
Examine the influences of social, cultural, historical, environmental, and personal context on drama
Reflect on dramatic experiences and how they relate to a specific place, time, and context
Reflect on dramatic works and make connections with personal experiences
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Reflect on aesthetic experiences and how they relate to a specific place, time, and context
Reflect on dramatic works and make connections with personal experiences
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
Document and respond to dramatic works and experiences in a variety of contexts
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Explore the impacts of dramatic works on culture and society
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Evaluate the social, cultural, historical, environmental, and personal contexts of dramatic works
Reflect on aesthetic experiences and how they relate to a specific place, time, and context
Reflect on dramatic works and make connections with personal experiences
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Examine the impacts of dramatic works on culture and society
Ontario, Canada
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process