Sixth - Eighth Grades

Theatre Content Standards

 

back to Fine Arts

 

Lesson Plans / Units

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Read Alouds / Book Studies

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Online Resources

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Teachers to Connect With

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History

 

 

Students will

 

1. Discuss various acting styles.

 

2. Discuss the use of historical character types as a dramatic technique.

Examples: Greek hero, Commedia characters

 

3. Discuss legal and ethical implications of the use of another’s work.

Examples: crediting appropriate sources, obtaining legal rights to produce material

 

 

Criticism

 

 

4. Discuss the parts of dramatic structure.

• Character

• Plot

• Setting

• Theme

 

5. Discuss standard plot components. (See Theatre-Related Resources—Form and Structure of Scripts.)

• Initial incident

• Rising action

• Conflict

• Crisis

• Falling action

• Conclusion

 

6. Discuss reasons for separating audience spaces from playing spaces.

 

7. Analyze the connection between the production and the director, playwright, actors, and technical crews.

 

8. Analyze the relationship of set design, lighting, and costumes with production concept.

 

 

 

Aesthetics

 

 

9. Demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette. (See Appendix A.)

 

 

Production

 

 

10. Participate in playwriting in groups to create, tell, and enact original scripts.

 

11. Create dialogue that imitates real conversation.

 

12. Recognize the unique formatting of dialogue in a play.

Examples: Hansel: Look! There is a cottage!

Gretel: We’re saved!

 

13. Write scripts using formats for stage directions.

Examples: Tom: (enters left) Here I am!

Mary: I found it there. (moves downstage center)

 

14. Use observation of others to create characterizations.

 

15. Utilize mannerisms, facial expressions, and body movement to depict characters.

 

16. Develop vocal clarity in performance.

• Volume

• Inflection

• Pitch

• Enunciation

 

17. Describe basic stage positions.

 

Example:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. Discuss the importance of memorizing lines on deadline.

 

19. Discuss the basic rules of stage movement.

• “4th wall”

• Planes

• Levels

• Stage positions

 

20. Respond appropriately to basic blocking directions.

 

21. Follow appropriate etiquette for rehearsals and performances.

Examples: arriving on time for rehearsals, avoiding upstaging other actors

 

22. Identify basic technical elements used in theatrical productions.

• Lighting

• Costumes

• Properties

• Special effects

 

23. Select and create formal and informal playing spaces.

 

24. Identify basic set requirements.

 

25. Identify materials necessary for preparation/construction of a set.

 

26. Devise costumes, props, and other technical necessities from available materials.

 

27. Discuss various acting styles.

 

• Method

• Classical

• Improvisation

 

28. Work cooperatively with director and production staff members. (See Theatre-Related Resources—Professional/Commercial Organization.)

 

29. Understand and demonstrate how set, lighting, and costumes affect each other and the whole production. (See Theatre-Related Resources—Professional/Commercial Organization.)

 

30. Utilize societal characteristics as a basis for play development.

 

31. Credit authors in an appropriate manner.

 

32. Utilize improvisation and acting exercises to enhance development of characterization skills.

 

33. Discuss the use of vocal mechanisms in characterization.

 

• Articulation

• Volume

• Inflection

• Basic dialects

 

34. Discuss the use of voice in drama.

 

35. Work cooperatively with a technical and design crew to create and develop sets and environments. (See Theatre-Related Resources—Professional/Commercial Organization.)

 

Examples: constructing basic set pieces, obtaining props necessary for a specific set

 

36. Examine ways to devise costumes, props, and other technical necessities from available materials.

 

Examples: making costumes from available clothing and fabric, creating sound effects, modifying available natural and artificial light

 

37. Discuss duties and responsibilities of a director.

 

Examples: designing a blocking plan, conducting an audition, developing a schedule for rehearsal, preparing a prompt book (See Theatre-Related Resources—Professional/Commercial Organization.)

 

38. Identify the duties of production staff members.

 

Examples: stage manager, designers, technicians

 

39. Demonstrate ability to cooperate with a director and supervise members of the production staff to enhance production. (See Theatre-Related Resources—Professional/Commercial Organization.