Visual and Performing Arts Framework-Complete - Free Downloads (CA Dept of Education)

Chapter 4
Guidance
for Visual and
Performing Arts
Programs

Theatre

Theatre itself is an important part of culture and history. Through its study

students gain a greater understanding of the role theatre has played and contin-

ues to play in society. By learning the history of dramatic literature, technology,

architecture, acting styles, and theatre conventions that have developed into

4

contemporary world theatre, they gain a broader perspective from which to

create their own works.

Aesthetic Valuing

In theatre education aesthetic valuing is the ability to analyze the feelings

and thoughts elicited by theatrical experiences. To express their reactions to

theatrical works, students apply what they have learned in artistic perception,

creative expression, and historical and cultural context. Opportunities to observe

and practice across a broad range of experiences help students make informed

judgments, which depend on understanding the intent, structure, effectiveness,

and worth of a play, movie, television drama, or other theatrical presentation.

The valuing process, cyclical and cumulative, may start, for example, when stu-

dents reflect on, analyze, and evaluate their own work. It gives them the experi-

ence and confidence to assess the work of others. By critiquing the work of oth-

ers, they gain new perspectives from which to review their own work.

In a standards-based theatre program, students learn the difference between

theatrical reviews, personal perspective, dramatic criticism, and theory-based

analysis. They also acquire the ability to think and speak about aspects of theatre

reasonably and intelligently and discuss multifaceted theatre experiences from a

variety of viewpoints.

5

Connections, Relationships, Applications

Today, theatre is more influential than ever, reaching millions of people

worldwide and affecting people’s lives through technology. Because of the im-

pact of the media on students and society, students are provided the help they

need through standards-based theatre instruction to become media literate,

analytical, and critical. Instruction in the theatre arts helps students become

responsible and creative workers, informed consumers, and effective communi-

cators.

Through playmaking, improvising, creating scenes, and scriptwriting, stu-

dents can demonstrate their understanding of important concepts in other sub-

ject areas. And by dramatizing events from history–social science or current

events or a concept from another subject area, they can develop story compre-

hension, helpful in developing scriptwriting and acting skills, such as character

development. As they learn and experience theatre, they discover the many ca-

reer opportunities in theatre and the prominent role theatre plays in the enter-

tainment industry in California, a world leader in the production of film and

electronic media.