Unit
in Middle School Curriculum
Unit Six: Directed Scenes Take 1: Same Scene, Different Visions
Created by Lindsay Johnson
9 lessons
middle school friendly
Students will now start applying the skills they’ve learned thus far in the context of existing, fleshed-out scripts.
They will also have opportunities to shift from actor to director and hone such skills as collaboration, self-confidence, and problem-solving which can be used in many other areas of their lives.
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The overview lays out the focus of the unit, outlines each lesson, and describes the assessment tools.
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1Lesson 1Introduction to Directors and Close Reading of SceneIn this lesson, students are introduced to the different tasks the director and the actor take on in a scene, complete an application for which role they would like to take on, and tackle a close reading of the unit scene.
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2Lesson 2AuditionsIn this lesson, students will run auditions, or participate in them, for the scene, and directors will cast their scenes.
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3Lesson 3Planning and MemorizationIn this lesson, actors will have their lines completely memorized using a cheat sheet, and directors will complete their scene prep (props, set design, blocking).
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4Lesson 4Objective and TacticsIn this lesson, students will complete four rehearsals of their scenes using Objective and Tactics Rehearsal Checklist, focusing on objective and tactics.
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5Lesson 5LevelsIn this lesson, students will complete three to five rehearsals of their scenes using a rehearsal checklist, focusing on level changes.
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6Lesson 6Voice ExpressionIn this lesson, students will complete three to five rehearsals of their scenes using a rehearsal checklist, focusing on voice expression changes.
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7Lesson 7Movement ReviewIn this lesson, students will complete four rehearsals of their scenes using a rehearsal checklist, focusing on movement skills (blocking, tactics, levels).
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8Lesson 8Projection and Final RehearsalIn this lesson, students will complete three to five rehearsals of their scenes using a rehearsal checklist, focusing on projection skills (voice clarity, open body).
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9Lesson 9Directed Scenes Performance AssessmentIn this lesson, students will perform their scene for assessment in front of the class. They will also complete an audience feedback sheet where they give their peers feedback on rubric skills.
Standards Addressed
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.68.C.1.2 Develop a character analysis to support artistic portrayal.
- TH.68.C.1.3 Determine the purpose(s), elements, meaning, and value of a theatrical work based on personal, cultural, or historical standards.
- TH.68.C.1.5 Describe how a theatrical activity can entertain or instruct an audience.
- TH.68.C.2.1 Use group-generated criteria to critique others and help strengthen each other's performance.
- TH.68.C.2.2 Keep a rehearsal journal to document individual performance progress.
- TH.68.C.2.3 Ask questions to understand a peer's artistic choices for a performance or design.
- TH.68.C.2.4 Defend personal responses to a theatre production.
- TH.68.C.3.3 Determine personal strengths and challenges, using evaluations and critiques to guide selection of material for a portfolio.
- TH.912.C.1.5 Make and defend conscious choices in the creation of a character that will fulfill anticipated audience response.
- TH.912.C.1.7 Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
- TH.912.C.2.2 Construct imaginative, complex scripts and revise them in collaboration with actors to convey story and meaning to an audience.
- TH.912.C.2.7 Accept feedback from others, analyze it for validity, and apply suggestions appropriately to future performances or designs.
- TH.912.C.2.8 Improve a performance or project using various self-assessment tools, coaching, feedback, and/or constructive criticism.
Historical & Global Connections
- TH.68.H.1.1 Explore potential differences when performing works set in a variety of historical and cultural contexts.
- TH.68.H.1.2 Analyze the impact of one's emotional and social experiences when responding to, or participating in, a play.
- TH.68.H.1.5 Describe one's own personal responses to a theatrical work and show respect for the responses of others.
- TH.68.H.3.3 Use brainstorming as a method to discover multiple solutions for an acting or technical challenge.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
- TH.68.F.1.1 Manipulate various design components to imagine the world of the character.
- TH.68.F.1.2 Use vocal, physical, and imaginative ideas, through improvisation, as a foundation to create new characters and to write dialogue.
- TH.68.F.3.1 Practice safe, legal, and responsible use of copyrighted, published plays to show respect for intellectual property and the playwright.
- TH.912.F.1.1 Synthesize research, analysis, and imagination to create believable characters and settings.
Organizational Structure
- TH.68.O.1.1 Compare different processes an actor uses to prepare for a performance.
- TH.68.O.1.3 Explain the impact of choices made by directors, designers, and actors on audience understanding.
- TH.68.O.1.4 Discuss how the whole of a theatre performance is greater than the sum of its parts.
- TH.68.O.2.1 Diagram the major parts of a play and their relationships to each other.
- TH.68.O.2.2 Explain how a performance would change if depicted in a different location, time, or culture.
- TH.68.O.2.4 Perform a scene or pantomime to demonstrate understanding of blocking and stage movement.
- TH.68.O.3.3 Discuss the collaborative nature of theatre and work together to create a scene or play, respecting group members' ideas and differences.
- TH.912.O.1.3 Execute the responsibilities of director, designer, manager, technician, or performer by applying standard theatrical conventions.
- TH.912.O.3.1 Analyze the methods of communication among directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, and actors that establish the most effective support of the creative process.
- TH.912.O.3.2 Analyze a variety of theatre and staging configurations to understand their influence on the audience experience and response.
Skills, Techniques & Processes
- TH.68.S.1.1 Describe the responsibilities of audience members, to the actors and each other, at live and recorded performances and demonstrate appropriate behavior.
- TH.68.S.1.2 Invent a character with distinct behavior(s) based on observations of people in the real world and interact with others in a cast as the invented characters.
- TH.68.S.1.3 Describe criteria for the evaluation of dramatic texts, performances, direction, and production elements.
- TH.68.S.2.1 Discuss the value of collaboration in theatre and work together to create a theatrical production.
- TH.68.S.2.2 Discuss and apply the theatrical production process to create a live performance.
- TH.68.S.2.4 Memorize and present a character's lines from a monologue or scene.
- TH.68.S.3.1 Develop characterizations, using basic acting skills, appropriate for selected dramatizations.
- TH.68.S.3.2 Use the elements of dramatic form to stage a play.
- TH.68.S.3.3 Lead rehearsals of improvised and scripted scenes, communicating with cast and crew to create appropriate characterization and dramatic environments.
- TH.68.S.3.4 Lead small groups to safely select and create elements of technical theatre to signify a character or setting.
- TH.912.S.1.7 Interpret dramatic texts, organize and conduct rehearsals, and justify directorial choices for formal and informal productions.
- 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.2.8 Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
- TH.912.S.3.2 Exercise artistic discipline and collaboration to achieve ensemble in rehearsal and performance.
- TH.912.S.3.8 Direct a scene or one-act play.
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