Learning Activity

Script Analysis Using Stanislavski's Method

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Proficent Theatre students will use Stanislavski's Method to analyze a script and character. Using a simplified chart, students will explore the character's objective, possible tactics, obstacles, stakes, subtext, and the Magic If.

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 09-12 - Theatre

AE17.TH.PRO.3

Use script analysis to generate ideas that represent a character who is believable and authentic in a drama/theatre work.

Unpacked Content

UP:AE17.TH.PRO.3

Vocabulary

Analysis
  • Contextual Reading
  • Characterization
  • Dramaturgy
Design
  • Using information in plays to inspire design choices.
  • Using technology to influence design and prepare students for career pathways.
Research
  • Using historical facts and images for ideas and inspiration
  • Using cultural facts and images for ideas and inspiration.

Theatrical Hierarchy and how it works in the classroom.

Essential Questions

EU: Theatre artists work to discover different ways of communicating meaning.
EQ: How, when, and why do theatre artists' choices change?

Skills Examples

  • Students will design the set, sound effects or costumes for the play To Kill A Mockingbird. They will use historical images of that time period to create the visual aspects of the play.
  • Students will participate in a lecture on the history of Technical Theatre. They will pick a time period and design a set, lighting, sound or costume design using only the tools available in that time period.
  • Students will create a visual character board for the character that they are representing in a class play or assigned monologue.
  • Students will write a scene. They will break into roles of Director, Actors, Designers and Writer.
  • Students will use their written scenes in rehearsal. Designers will use provided supplies to create a set for their scene.
  • Students will memorize lines, make character choices, perform for the director for notes and finish creating their set.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 09-12 - Theatre

AE17.TH.PRO.11

Explore various acting techniques to expand skills in a rehearsal or drama/theatre performance.

Unpacked Content

UP:AE17.TH.PRO.11

Vocabulary

Research
  • motivation
  • origin
Analysis
  • rising actions
  • climax
  • protagonist vs antagonist
Vocal
  • Alexander Technique
  • diction
  • consonants
  • vowels
Movement
  • motivated movement
  • blocking
Characterization
Design
Theatrical production

Essential Questions

EU: Theatre artists develop personal processes and skills for a performance or design.
EQ: What can I do to fully prepare a performance or technical design?

Skills Examples

  • Students will discuss in a classroom setting the differences in dealing with friends, family, fellow workers, employees or a boss: how you speak, listen and react differently in each of those relationships.
  • Students will have improvisational scenes using those roles as starting points in the scenes.
  • Students will study Viola Spolin techniques in class and use those techniques in classroom scene work.
  • Students will research scenic painting and how it can enhance scene aesthetic for their various plays and performances.
  • Students will create Living Newspapers for their classroom audience, using modern articles, various roles for each student and rehearsal to refine the final performance.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will use script analysis to create a believable and authentic character.

Students will be able to apply major components of Stanislavski's acting technique to their character. 

Activity Details

After investigating Stanislavski's acting method and selecting a monologue, students will explore characterization using the attached chart.

First, students will divide their monologue into "beats," or dramatic shifts in emotion, intention, or power. 

After determining the beats of their monologue, students will cut and paste (or write) each beat into a row on the chart. 

For each beat, students will answer questions related to each column title. Remind students that there are no right or wrong answers, but that each choice should be supported by the text. Remind them also that as they rehearse, they can change their answers to explore the character further until they discover the choices that they find most effective. 

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Students may self-assess using the following criteria: 

    Believability: Do the choices make the character believable?

    Authenticity: Do the choices make the character authentic, or add unique dimension to the character?

Students may perform their monologue and reflect on the choices they made using Stanislavski's method. 

Students may reflect on whether Stanislavski's method was effective for their own personal acting style.

The teacher may quick-assess to see that the students are marking their scripts to indicate the beats. Ask each student to explain their rationale for the location of each beat. Listen for their understanding of the character based on textual evidence from the script and context for the scene. 

Variation Tips

Put students into small groups. Each group is assigned (or allowed to choose) one monologue that they will analyze together. 

After the group analysis, students may be ready to analyze their own monologues individually. 

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Discuss the major components of Stanislavski's acting method. Without some knowledge of the terminology and approach, students will struggle with applying them to their monologue. 

Digital Tools / Resources

Analysis Chart
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17V9J5KwONy6j1qxghW4iOSJLMBUQJCvxT_vLCPhHnMQ…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

appatel
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