| Drama 1-B is a one-semester, more advanced theatre course that offers greater challenges for 7th and 8th graders. Students may repeat this class, as the curriculum changes each semester depending on enrollment and class experience. Coursework may include storytelling, audition monologues, improvisation and theatre sports, Shakespearean scene-work, student-directed one acts, advanced scene study and character analysis, short student-written and directed video pieces, mask work, and the production of a short play. “Backstage” training may include: directing; costume, stage and make-up design; choreography and stage movement; and stage management and other technical aspects of theater. Field trips and guest speakers will enhance the students’ experience. Subject matter of the different units overlap during the semester, so that students learn in context, and through practice. At the end of the semester, there is a final production for the school community as well as an evening performance for family and friends. | ||||
| MAJOR UNITS OF INSTRUCTION may or may not be taught in this sequence. Time Frame is approximate and can vary per unit. Standards listed are aligned to state and PAUSD’s own articulated Theatre Arts standards. | ||||
| Unit of Instruction | Standards | Activities/Lessons/Assignments | Time Frame | Intersection with Core |
| Audition Monologues | Creative Expression 2.5 Aesthetic Valuing 4.3, 4.4 |
• Interpret & develop character in short speech excerpt from
World drama • Perform as if in audition conditions • Written components incl. Character Analysis, peer evaluations |
3 weeks | |
| Improvisation | Creative Expression 2.4, 2.5 Aesthetic Valuing 4.4 Connections 5.3 |
• Advanced improv games & exercises, such as Blind Date,
Questions Only, Hitchhiker, etc. • Status Improvs • Incredible Machine Improvs • Workshop w/guest artists • Written reflection |
2 weeks | |
| Theatre Genres (iMovie Soaps) | Artistic Perception 1.2, 1.3 Creative Expression 2.3, 2.4 Aesthetic Valuing 4.1, 4.3 Connections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 |
• Learn Aristotelian elements & genres • Focus on Melodrama/Soap Opera form & function • Develop storyboard for short soap episode with a group, using stock chars. • Film episode, using costumes, lighting, props, sound & effective acting choices • Broadcast episode via DramaTube/JTV • Written components incl. storyboard, soap opera forum |
3 weeks | |
| Directorial Controls | Artistic Perception 1.1 Hist./Cultural Context 3.3 |
• Learn & identify basic directorial controls using appropriate vocabulary | 2 days | |
| Stage Combat | Hist./Cultural Context 3.2 | • Learn basic/advanced unarmed combat elements for stage use • Gain familiarity w/armed stage combat modalities |
1-3 days | |
| Theatre Production | Artistic Perception 1.1 Hist/Cultural Context 3.1 Aesthetic Valuing 4.1, 4.2 |
• Field trip to see professional theatre production at Bay Area
theatre • Anticipation & post-performance workshops & discussions • Written review/reflection |
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| Scene Study | Artistic Perception 1.1, 1.4 Creative Expression 2.3, 2.4 Hist./Cultural Context 3.2, 3.3 Aesthetic Valuing 4.4 Connections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 |
• Read & analyze scene excerpt from American/World drama • Develop interpretation, characters & relationships through acting technique & blocking • Rehearsal process incl. rough drafts • Perform scenes • Written components incl. char. analysis & peer evaluations |
3 1⁄2 weeks | |
| Final Projects | Artistic Perception 1.1, 1.3 Creative Expression 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 Aesthetic Valuing 4.1, 4.3 Connections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 |
• Read & analyze one-act play(s) • Develop interpretation, characters & relationships through acting & blocking • Rehearsal process incl. rough drafts • Learn & put into practice technical theatre components • Perform play(s) in full production for Jordan community & public • Written components incl. char. analysis |
4 weeks | |
created by Jeanie Forte and posted by Leslie Goldman 6-4-2007