Devised theatre work covers all of the "4 Cs of 21st Century Learning" (I think there was a poster to this effect, but I can't find the link): communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. And can also cover the "E" that so often gets left out, but shouldn't: empathy.
You can essentially follow the same sort of process that STEM/STEAM work follows. Start with a question or problem or need: "We need to create a show that ..." - I find it helps to have a specific audience and topic in mind. (Some groups start their devising work as entirely open ended, but for a beginning or mixed group, a topic can help.)
Then Creativity - brainstorm (we do it practically, using a bunch of different drama structures). Create lots of material, don't censor at this stage.
Critical thinking - what did the work show? What sparks interest? What ideas/character/messages/meanings are emerging? What do we want to find out?
More exploratory work. More critical thinking.
Then back to combining critical thinking with communication: what do we have? What do we want to communicate? How do we select and shape all this material and these ideas into a play? Collaboration - working together to make these decisions, responding to and building on the ideas of others, compromising, consensus building, supporting ...
Then the rehearsal phase - communication including the acting side - how do I communicate what we want to communicate with my body, face, voice, movement? Directing side - With our group, staging, movement? Design side - With sound, lighting, costume, sets? Playwriting side - Through the dialogue, word choice, etc.?
More critical thinking: what's working? What is not working? How can we change it to make it more effectively communicate what we want to communicate? Staying open and flexible: is anything new and exciting emerging?
And performance! And ideally debriefing with some sense of the audience response.
Okay, so this is really long for the Friday right before break, and very un-edited ... but you get the idea!
As a final note, I do devised work with middle school groups. It is not as fast as doing devised work with skilled adults, or skilled high schoolers. But if middle schoolers can do it, then a high school group with mixed experience (and interest) can. There are lots of opportunities to teach skills along the way, and opportunities for cross-curricular work, and opportunities for building empathy.
My favorite projects have been those created for elementary classes (built around their social/emotional curriculum) and school assemblies - Veteran's Day, No Name Calling Week, and on the lighter side, "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day"! The students are more invested when they feel there is a purpose to their work.
TGIF.
------------------------------
Kristin Hall
Drama Director
Lincoln Public Schools
Arlington MA
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2019 17:02
From: Nicole Tremblay
Subject: Creating a Theater curriculum
This is probably a better example of Chair Duets, from their website- you can even submit your class work!
https://chairduets.franticassembly.co.uk/
------------------------------
Nicole Tremblay
Director of Theater
Indianapolis IN
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2019 09:22
From: Sally Shatzkes
Subject: Creating a Theater curriculum
This is all fantastic insight. Thank you to everyone!
It is worth noting that the goal of this class is not to teach theater as a discipline, but rather to teach "soft skills" through the lens of theater. I am sorry that I didn't make that clear early on. I was inspired greatly by Patti Raun's keynote at the 2017 EdTA conference to advocate for teaching these critical life skills through theater at our school. We are finding (as many schools are) that our students are unprepared for the "real world" despite having many skills sets. They are simply lacking in the ability to connect, communicate, collaborate etc. And this is a trend we are seeing across the board as our youth in the age of technology and social media has moved away from creative play and interpersonal experiences. My suggestion to the school is a mandatory theater-based/informed class that will focus on these skills. It will be mandatory because all students need to develop these skills. So while it will all be based in theater, we will focus less on skills of acting and play texts, and more on "life skills" through theater-based activities. And we will not call it "Freshmen Drama" but rather, something like "Freshmen Communications Lab," as Patti Raun's center is called" The Center for Communicating Science."
It should also be noted that Im a licensed drama therapist so I am used to combining theater and counseling in all kinds of formats. :)
In light of this, feel free everyone to keep the suggestions coming!
------------------------------
Sally Shatzkes
Drama Therapist/Theater Director
Brooklyn NY
Original Message:
Sent: 02-14-2019 08:47
From: James Palmarini
Subject: Creating a Theater curriculum
Sally,
All of the ideas put forth here are worth your attention; what I would suggest is that any currculum you design for your students be aligned the the New York State Theatre Standards, expecially given that it will be a mandatory class. I understand that you want to make it an enjoyable experience, buit please also consider how you will measure student learning. The National Core Theatre Standards, similar to the NY State Standards can provide you guidance on how to create proficient-level assessment that begins wiith your noted goals. Here's the link: https://www.nationalartsstandards.org
Good luck to you!
------------------------------
James Palmarini
Director of Educational Policy; Editor-at-Large - Teaching Theatre
Cincinnati OH
Original Message:
Sent: 02-12-2019 14:28
From: Sally Shatzkes
Subject: Creating a Theater curriculum
Hi,
I am creating a theater curriculum for freshmen that will be mandatory. This is a regular high school and most students are not theater oriented so I want to make it fun and easy. My goals are to work on on communication, collaboration and emotional expression. What are some websites/books/resources that could inspire me/help me create my curriculum or perhaps there are some already existing ones out there?
much appreciated!
Sally
------------------------------
Sally Shatzkes
Drama Therapist/Theater Director
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------