What Is This Thing Called Theatre? English, Drama
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ED078 442 AUTHOR Randolph,. James B, - TITLE What Is This Thing Called Theatre? English, Drama: 5112.53.. - INSTITUTION Dade:County Public Schools, Miami,_Flaft. -PUB DATE 72 NOTE 35p.; Authorized coutse of instruction for the Minkester Program EDRS PRICE MF-30.65 HC-$3.29 DESCRIPTORS Acting; Clothing Design; *Curriculum Guides; Drama; *Dramatic Play; *Dramatics; Management; Music; Production Techniques; *Secondary Education; Skits; *Theater Arts *Quinmester Program This curriculum guide provides an introductorycourse in the theatre for first-year high,school students. The courseuses- an interdisciplinary approach and includes a discussion of types and . styles of drama, a brief history of drama, fundmmmtals of acting, and techniques of play production focusing on music, costume designr Make-up* scenery, poster display, and theatre management. The course concentrates on the relatianship of the theatre, to the individual, to society, and to the arts.-One ofthe bbjedtivesof the-course is for the student to synthesize his knowledge of the theatre by preparing and presenting a one-act play._A list =of student and teacher resources is provided which includes textbOoks and supplementary matezials dealing with acting, play production,-and theatre history._ Also included are lists of full-lenght ,one-act-plays and musicals suitable for high school production, a list of play publithere, addresses, and records,- films, and filmstrips related tothe theatre._ (Dr) FILMED FROM BESTAVAILABLE COPY . U S OEPARTMENTOF HEALTH. EDUCATION VIELPARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF Eoctuastrt = THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED PROM THE PERSON OP,ORGANIZATION ORIGIN . ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT T.CCESSARILY REARE SENT OFFICIAL .a.TIOILALANSTITUTE OF Eoucancx POS.TION OP POLICY AUTHORIZED COURSE OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE LANGUAGE ARTS What Is This Thing Called Theatre? 5112.53= 5113.47 5114.821 5115.821 5116.821 5183.01 *DIVISION OF INSTRUCTION1971 WHAT IS ..IFH THING CALLED THEATRE? 5112.53 5113.47 5114.821 5115.821 5116.821 5183.01 --_English, =Drama . Written by James B.Randolph for the DIVISION OF INSTRUCTION Dade aunty PublicSchools 1972 COURSE COURSE TITLE: WHAT IS _THISTHIMG CALLED THEATRE? NUMBER' .112.53 COURSE-DESCRIPTION: An introductory course for 5113.47 the student Interested in the theatre.Using the 5114.821 interdiscifylinary approach, the content= includes 5115.821 discussion of types and styles.Of drama; abrief 5116.821 history of-drama; fundamentals of actinganir tech- 5183.01 niques of play production focusing onmusic, costume design, make-tip, scenery, posterdisplay and theatre management. PERFORMANCE= OBJECTIVES* A.Given background-information, the studentwill discover the relationships of the theatre to theindividual, to society, and to the arts. Given an opportunity to do reference reading,the stu- dent will investigate major periods of theatrehistory. Given= background information on play structure, the student will analyze several plays as to typeand style. Given ,background on the fundamentals of acting,the student will create experiences to developskill in using the fundamentals.- Given information on the functions of the members of the production staff and the techniques,of play produc- tion, the student will' synthesize hisknowledge of theatre =by preparing and presenting a one actplay. COURSE =CONTENT A. Rationale One recognizes that -there -are variedapproaches to teaching drama in- high sehool etpecialry ifthe stu- dents are beginpers:in-thti theatre. -..jnthis quin- mester course, desingned, for the:fiett yearstudent, -the fetus- Wi 11 'be orf: the fundamentals'.Specifically, the-icOurse will be one that nconcentrates- on =the re- lationships vf the theatre:to:the individual, tn society, and-to, the arts,. So that the student may recognize the infltience of society on theatre,a-- segment on'the history cif drama has been included. order_to create greathr emphasis ontheatre, the student.will become involved inactivities - through_ reading and analyzingplays;performing _in a series of adting assignments; assumingduties and responsi- bilities as `members of a theatre staffand actually presenting a play before-an audiende. It is hoped that the averagestudent will find satis, faction in the class activitiesand subsequently develop -an abiding interest in theatre. .-:Range of Subject matter.- 1. Basic, anprbaches-:_to.-theatre-=- efinition of d a . Varied forms of drama Basic relationships of= theindividual to the theatre Basic relationships of theatre tosociety Recognizing thitre as aestheticexperience Brief history of the-major periods oftheatre - = history a. Beginnings of drama ,in Egypt _Greek. and Roman drama kedieval drama Italy . The Renaissance theatre in e. Zabethari -drama- . Modern- drama- (1) Nineteenth century (2) Twentieth century. g. Contemporary drama (1) Experimental drama (2) Black Theater -2- 3. Analyzing the script for stage and television ,a. Wipes b. ,Styles C. Other fOrmt (-1) MUsidal (2) Folk (3) Symphonic d. Structure of-,drama The fundamentals of acting Basic _vocal _and physical'-requirements- b.-__ Basilc-techni ques-, used in acting_ C._ Analytirigand_develOping -character ___ _ ct. Make-uparid: costumes _ The ProductionEttaff Duties-- -and responsibilities_ The ditecibr and'histechnique for producing a play = c. Planning a production d. Organi zati on: of a staff for the production e.= Selecting a scriPtiand'presenting theplay C. Projects 1. Have students look up photographs of plays pre- sented is.professional or non-professional theatre and make a bulletin board display. 2. HaVe students research any theatre personalities known to them 'and make oral reports. Help students avoid the gossipy aspects about the.personal lives of these people and concentrate on the" information that deals with the individual's developMent as an actor, director, playwright, etc. -3- The information may beobtained from periodicals, interviews, or talk shows on . books, personal television. is in production and 3. Select a time when a play ha've students visit oneof the local theatre, university, or high school sceneshops to see scenery constructed. live-production at one _of the -4. 'Have-students see-a theatres area _theatres ., Col 1 ege*:-or: uni vetsi ty- should not be excludedfrom:your; selection,_-nor should -high .schoolproductions as-some of- these at:least one are excellent. --!It Is advisable that musical -. of the -plays selectedfor viewing.-_will be a This shouTd_ not' be- di fficul t sinte the- universiti es One-musical in_ their --_generally' include at least seisonal-prOgrams, Lectures _ ,cddrse;-should ,be=presented-in :the, 1: Lectures- foi- thit- _- -initial -segment _anddUring the introduCtory phase "-_of each objettiVe.--, =_ 2.- Generally-, -lectureson a regular-batis,should-be avoided, but one carefully:preparedand presented :lecture dealing :with_ the'director as ,chief inter - be pretative-- artist and=tdbrdinatOr of_a play-wil helpful, to.--the student:- III.. TEACHING STRATEGIES information, the student A. Objective A. Given background relationsniOs of the theatre tothe will discover the individual, to society, andto. the arts. theatre in order thatstudents 1. Open a discussion on may tell of'their background andexperiences. explain: As part of thisdiscussion have studentS them a. What theatre means to experience in theatre b. Their, mo:it memorable 3. Give an introductory;-lecture to explain thevarious forms of drama. "(professional, non-professional, film, television and radio 'dramas, opera,ballet, reader's theatre, pantomime, PuPpetrY, musicals) 4. Have students review these forms.Use supporting material to explain the various forms. Ft/Untying the discussion, Show-the film "The Theatre: One of the Humanities." judging plays so that stu- . Establish standardsfor dents. may develop an awareness of what to-loOk for in-a play and hopefully develdp a greater-apprecia- tion for=seeing:any form of-drama performed. all play in . Have students describe how the rOletwe life condition human behavior and provide raw material for the theatre.: theme 7. Have studentt-plan- ascene_ in which the major stresses a conflict youngipeopleare-faced:with today-. Permit them to wgrk'in groups,;then read or perforM their'scenes- in class.= =Usestandards-as set-up in activity :#5 as a basis -fordiscussion. Have students make a:diary about_ theirinner feel-, ings -andAive: reacti ons to their experiencesin daily_living. Help students -to- recognize -he e' World in _which- we 1 hie _influences the-Wri tin Plays and the development of the themesof time plays: daily life 9. Have students observe other peoplein and=indicate their reactionsbycreating brief scenes which shoW how societyinfluentes characters in drama.- - 10. Have students discUss- the potition-ofthe high school student'in our sodiety andindicate orally orinwriting if this position(s) isinfluenced by television draMa. 11. Havestudent's conduct panel discussions on the following topics: influence a'. Television crime dramas have a major on the attitudes- of thehigh school student. b. X-rated movies -- Do they reflect the valuesof our times? -5- 12. Have students discuss clothing andhair stylesas examples of self expression in our societyand indicate the' extent to which these styles areset or influenced by the stageplay, television, or motion pictures. 13. Have-students make a poster display comparingthe styles of clothing Of today with the stylesused in plays du ri ng_the" thirties and forties. 14. Have students--cut-Out