Hello,
These are good suggestions. What I do is create a project for my students in which, working in pairs, they have to research a particular theatre history period and present an oral/visual report - usually almost a full class period. The other students have to take notes, ask questions (which they can throughout presentations), and critique the reports at the end based on oral and visual presentation. I create the rubric and a generic overview of what the project should include. I've worked with my library to have supporting databases, approved websites, and, golly gosh, books that are strong sources. I also have a small but powerful library in my classroom. I continue to save articles that can be pertinent and have a file of those for them. While I encourage web searches --- I'm also interested in them using theatre history textbooks, and such, too. I also have a "greatest hits" list for each genre that makes sure they cover key aspects in plays/playwrights, managers/directors, actors, performance styles, technical theatre -- that kind of thing. We also study Aristotle's
Poetics prior to the project and use it as a basis to compare and contrast how each period relates -- or not -- to that original definition of theatre. Please note this is Western Theatre. I grade their presentation, their notecards/speaking cards, research/works cited list, their personal critiques, and obviously the content of the project such as including all requirements for the project in general and the specifics of their period in particular.. I also circulate throughout the process whether in classroom or library. I've been doing this approach for quite a few years and they get more engaged and learn more - and the come up with some highly creative projects. They get an overview of all periods and become more expert at one. They are also stretching their dramatrugy skills and collaborating, You can pretty much link most, if not all, of the National Core Theatre Arts standards to this project! Using Google to collaborate is great!
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Andrea Roney
Theatre Teacher/Director
roneya@npenn.orgNorth Penn School District
Hatfield PA
roneya@npenn.org------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2017 18:54
From: Taylour Matz
Subject: History of Theatre Video
Hi Theatre Community!
Can anyone recommend a decent theatre history or major theatre movements/genres video to show beginning students? I'm afraid that the ones I have found on youtube won't be engaging enough for my group of students. Thanks!
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Taylour Matz
Theatre Teacher
Everett Alvarez High School
Salinas CA
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