AE17.TH.5.4

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 5 - Theatre

AE17.TH.5.4
Devise original ideas for a drama/theatre work that reflect collective inquiry about characters and their given circumstances.

Unpacked Content

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

Identify physical qualities of a character such as height, weight, coloring, age, build, etc.
Make inferences as to what inner traits the physical qualities reveal about the character. Express the internal dialogue, stating what the character thinks and how he or she reacts to what is happening in a given situation. If the internal dialogue is stated, it can be spoken in the voice of the character.
Identify a given circumstance for a theatrical/dramatic work.
Propose design ideas that support the story, paying attention to shape, colors, and scale. For instance, a scary giant might require dark, tall, vertical pieces; whereas, a happy toddler might use pastel, smaller, rounder shapes.
Identify the given circumstances of a dramatic/ theatrical work.
Identify the character's inner thoughts.
Explain how the character's inner thoughts impact the story and the dramatic/ theatrical work. Consider how alternatives might arise with changes in the inner dialogue (e.g., a fish that gave up because it could not stand failure might not find its family like one that is determined that nothing is going to stop it).
Research interesting characters (e.g. Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, the "Unsinkable Molly Brown," Florence Nightingale, etc.) and their given circumstances (in preparation for #10).
Make inferences for character's inner thoughts based on the given circumstances.
Groups brainstorm ideas for a dramatic/ theatrical work based on their research, focusing on the message, purpose, and theme they want their story to tell.
Group divides and assigns responsibilities for playwriting, acting, directing, and technical design in order to put together a dramatic/ theatrical informal work.
Practice dramatic/ theatrical piece.
Use physical exploration for character development in an improvised or scripted dramatic/ theatrical work. Students should build on the research they did on their specific character to inspire their physical character development. Use sensory recall exercises to deepen the physicality of their characters.
Use vocal exploration of various pitches, rhythms, and tempos for character development in an improvised or scripted dramatic/ theatrical work. Improve projection through theater games, as well.
Create innovative solutions to design and technical problems that arise during the rehearsal process.
Revise and polish piece during rehearsals.
Perform piece for audience.

Vocabulary

Research
Analysis

purpose

Voice

projection

Movement
Characterization

build
inner thoughts/ internal dialogue
sensory recall

Directing
Design

shape
scale

Theatrical production

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.