Unit
in Drama One Curriculum
What is Theatre?
Created by Karen Loftus
Students will explore the question “What is theatre?” and contrast theatre to film. They will also begin their introduction to a couple of theatre roles.
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The overview lays out the structure of the unit, including objectives, materials list, lesson structure and assessment and time management tools.
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1Lesson 1What is Theatre?Students will explore the question “What is theatre?” and start a conversation about the difference between theatre and film. Students will also participate in a warm-up ensemble-building activity that requires students to work together and an exercise that demonstrates what it means to have a “dramatic moment.”
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2Lesson 2Theatre Role DefinitionsIn this lesson, students will learn in action about three theatre roles: the playwright, the director, and the actor. They will take a story and present it using those three roles.
Standards Addressed
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Proficient
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
8.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Prof.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
7.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
8.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
- DT.7.1.2.b Students Can: Demonstrate mutual respect for self and others and their roles in preparing or devising drama/theatre work.
- DT.7.1.4.a Students Can: Demonstrate focus and concentration in the rehearsal process to analyze and refine choices in a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
- DT.7.2.2.a Students Can: Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
- DT.7.2.4.a Students Can: Participate in rehearsals for a drama/theatre work that will be shared with an audience.
Eighth Grade
Language
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6 Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
Language
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- 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.2.2 Keep a rehearsal journal to document individual performance progress.
- TH.68.C.2.4 Defend personal responses to a theatre production.
- TH.68.C.3.1 Discuss how visual and aural design elements communicate environment, mood, and theme in a theatrical presentation.
- TH.68.C.3.2 Compare a film version of a story to its original play form. Develop and apply criteria to select works 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.3.1 Explore commonalities between works of theatre and other performance media.
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.1.6 Discuss how a performer responds to different audiences.
- TH.68.H.2.3 Analyze theatre history and dramatic literature in the context of societal and cultural history.
- TH.68.H.2.4 Discuss the differences between presentational and representational theatre styles.
- TH.68.H.2.7 Define theatre genres from different periods in history, giving examples of each.
- TH.68.H.2.8 Identify and describe theatrical resources in the community, including professional and community theatres, experts, and sources of scripts and materials.
- TH.68.H.3.1 Identify principles and techniques that are shared between the arts and other content areas.
- TH.68.H.3.6 Discuss ways in which dance, music, and the visual arts enhance theatrical presentations.
- TH.912.H.3.3 Apply knowledge of non-theatre content areas to enhance presentations of characters, environments, and actions in performance.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
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.2.5 Explain how the contributions of significant playwrights, performers, directors, designers, and producers from various cultures and historical periods have influenced the creative innovations of theatre.
- TH.68.O.3.1 Compare theatre and its elements and vocabulary to other art forms.
- TH.68.O.3.2 Explore how theatre and theatrical works have influenced various cultures.
- TH.912.O.1.3 Execute the responsibilities of director, designer, manager, technician, or performer by applying standard theatrical conventions.
- TH.912.O.1.4 Write an original script or a dramatic adaptation of a literary work to demonstrate knowledge of 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.
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.1.3 Describe criteria for the evaluation of dramatic texts, performances, direction, and production elements.
- TH.68.S.1.4 Discuss the ways in which theatre experiences involve empathy and aesthetic distance.
- TH.912.S.1.6 Respond appropriately to directorial choices for improvised and scripted scenes.
- 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.3.3 Develop acting skills and techniques in the rehearsal process.
- TH.912.S.3.8 Direct a scene or one-act play.
Grade 6 - Creating
- TA6.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify artistic choices, utilize theatre vocabulary, and demonstrate non-verbal communication skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>b. Interpret a character’s motivation by understanding the relationship between their background and their behavior.<br/>c. Identify the variety of relationships between characters.<br/>d. Identify, define, and classify character traits.<br/>e. Recognize and demonstrate the roles, responsibilities, and skills associated with collaborative performance.<br/>f. Use resources to identify and create technical elements of theatre.
- TA6.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Identify the elements of a story.<br/>b. Identify the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Articulate creative ideas in oral and written forms.<br/>d. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>e. Demonstrate the conventions of dialogue and stage directions.
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
Beginning High School Create
Beginning High School Present
Intermediate High School Create
Intermediate High School Present
Accomplished High School Create
Advanced High School Create
Advanced High School Present
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
Intermediate High School Standards - Culture
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.212 LII - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
- C.1.F demonstrate a working knowledge of the language of theatre such as stage terminology, elements of theatre, or theatrical conventions.
- C.1.H define the roles of and appreciate the collaborative relationships between all artistic partners such as playwrights, composers, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audience.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.318 LIV - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
Improvisation Drama 10
Directing - Drama 30
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
- focus concentration on one task at a time
- investigate a variety of roles and situations
- listen effectively
- recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
- share ideas confidently with others
- show awareness of story sequence
- speak, move, and generate ideas spontaneously
- support positivity the work of others
- work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large groups
Movement Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
Junior Goal I Objectives
- develop a sense of responsibility and commitment
- develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
- develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
- extend the ability to understand, accept and respect others- their rights, ideas, abilities and differences
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Awareness
Senior Goal I Objectives
- 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 contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
- demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- develop a sense of inquiry and commitment to learning
- extend understanding of, acceptance of and empathy for others
- increase self-confidence
- increase self-discipline
Orientation Drama 10
- concentrate on the task at hand
- demonstrate effective use and management of time
- demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable with others, physically and emotionally
- display consideration and respect for self and others
- listen to self and others
- make effective decisions or choices
- share ideas confidently
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
- C.3.2 identify and apply the skills and attitudes needed to perform various tasks and responsibilities in producing drama works (e.g., use active listening and cooperative problem-solving skills; practise punctuality; use tact in suggesting changes and improvements; demonstrate willingness to accept criticism and build consensus)
- C.3.3 demonstrate an understanding of theatre and audience etiquette, in both classroom and formal performance contexts (e.g., as a performer: show willingness to take direction and behave appropriately towards other actors; as a viewer: demonstrate respect for performers and other audience members by paying attention, not interrupting or talking, and applauding when appropriate)
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade Six
Grade Six
- 6.6 The student will explain influences of history, culture, and current events on the development of theatrical works.
- 6.7 The student will identify theatrical resources in the community.
- 6.8 The student will define intellectual property and describe issues of intellectual property related to theatre.
Grade Six
Grade Seven
Grade Seven
- 7.6 The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works
- 7.7 The student will describe ways that theatre arts contribute to the community and society.
- 7.8 The student will identify appropriate resources for scripts and materials, with a focus on ethical and legal considerations.
Grade Seven
Grade Eight
Grade Eight
- 8.6 The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works.
- 8.7 The student will identify theatre resources in the community and the Commonwealth including but not limited to professional, community, and educational theatres.
- 8.8 The student will identify and discuss digital citizenship as it relates to the research and presentation of theatrical works.
Grade Eight
- 8.9 The student will examine a selected career in theatre, television, film, or contemporary media.
- 8.10 The student will explore the use of digital media in the creative process and in the production of a theatre performance.
- 8.11 The student will synthesize knowledge from other content areas to support theatre arts processes.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
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