Open Forum

 View Only
  • 1.  Theater Basics

    Posted 11-09-2022 13:14
    Hello Educators!  My middle schoolers have little knowledge about theater- few have ever been to a theatrical production, etc.  I am thinking I should spend the first week of the semester on theater basics- types of stages, jobs, genres, etc.  Does anyone do this already?  Can you suggest resources?  Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Lesley Ruzon (she, her, hers)
    Moreland Middle School
    San Jose, CA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Theater Basics

    Posted 11-10-2022 07:01
    My recommendation is start with active learning rather than front-loading them too much with information.  Games, improv, etc.  I'm saying there isn't a place for the topics you're proposing, but they can go hand in hand.  I find that starting with movement activities (generally culminating with a pantomime) is useful for beginners because the challenges (and intimidation) of speaking on-stage are out the mix.  But doing movement work can coincide nicely with parts of the stage/types of stages/actor standing positions/elements of stage composition.  And many collaborative activities (e.g. sculpting tableaux) can actually lead students to understand certain theatre jobs (e.g. the student designing the tableau is the director, the others are actors, etc.)

    ------------------------------
    Ryan Moore
    Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
    West Bloomfield MI
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Theater Basics

    Posted 11-10-2022 13:43
    Good idea above. I would take it even one step back from there and focus on theatre as a way to tell stories visually, just like in movies and TV. That's what it all comes down to.

    For me, as a set designer, my initial conversations with the director about the story, the characters, and the progression are what drive everything else.

    ------------------------------
    George F. Ledo
    Set designer
    www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
    www.georgefledo.net
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Theater Basics

    Posted 11-10-2022 14:00
    Good suggestion above. I would go one more step back and start with a discussion about theatre being a way to tell stories visually, just like in film and TV. That's really what it all comes down to.

    As a set designer, my initial conversations with the director about the story, the characters, and the progression are what drive all the rest of it.
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Theater Basics

    Posted 11-11-2022 07:53
    Good morning Leslie,
    Cory Wilkerson here, I'm the Education Director at EdTA, and we got your back! We have a wonderful middle school curriculum that sounds like just what you need.  It models how to structure classes for beginners, and like the group is saying, suggests active work as a way to engage middle schoolers.  It includes a one hour webinar explaining how to structure classes for this age group.  Go here to access the webinar or click on "handouts" if you just want to download the curriculum: EdTA Learning Center: Creating a Theatre Curriculum for the Middle Level Grades
    Schooltheatre remove preview
    EdTA Learning Center: Creating a Theatre Curriculum for the Middle Level Grades
    In this informative webinar Theatre Educator Jennifer Ridgway unpacks a full year curriculum and offers tips for working with the Middle Level Grades. Handouts include the year long curriculum map. Perfect for the teacher just starting out in the middle grades or for anyone interested in learning how to build a standards based curriculum and map it out.
    View this on Schooltheatre >

    If you have any questions feel free to contact me on my work emai here at EdTA cwilkerson@schooltheatre.org
    Cory

    ------------------------------
    Cory Wilkerson
    Education Director
    Educational Theatre Association
    PA
    ------------------------------