In general, even though theatre is considered to be a source of entertainment, it has got a number of fundamental benefits as well. This will be established by tests that are designed to this end.
As mentioned above the test can be administered to teachers who intend to specialize in theatre. The tests can be structured in the form of questions which will be discussed later in the subsequent chapters. Just to re-emphasize, the test can be aimed at covering six content areas namely performance design and technical elements production the history, theory, and literature of the theatre instruction and professional knowledge as well as creative drama (Educational Testing Services, 2009).
It is important to take note of the background of authors through the development of theatre-related affairs in history. This helps in understanding the situation of their times especially on how the society and culture impacted on particular works. The impact can be assessed within a historical context, text analysis, aesthetic judgments, and structure and conventions (Education Testing Services, 2009). The test can be designed to capture different periods within Western literature, for instance, from the classical Greece to contemporary times. In addition, this takes into account the aspect of ethnic theatre together with the theatre of Africa, Japan, India, China and the Hispanic World, including traditional folk theater (Education Testing Services, 2009).
In so doing, one will be able to keep truck of the developmental stages of theatre to what it is today. In particular, it gives a historical understanding of the performance architecture, technology, the connection between theatre and society, theatre management, conventions, and vocabulary.
Performance is at the heart of every theatre activity. Interested parties should be very keen on it. It covers the role of the sensory and emotional expressions in acting. It goes further to understanding movements, improvisation, character evaluation and development. It helps to identify all those key factors that can lead to organized performance, voice, dynamics, gesturing, breathing, acting methods, techniques, just to mention a few (Education Testing Services, 2009). Furthermore, under performance, interested parties acquire relevant knowledge of directing skills, for instance, conception, script analysis, audition and casting, rehearsal planning, blocking and stage vocabulary (Education Testing Services, 2009).
Under design and technical aspects the interested parties get to acquire knowledge and application of various skills as well as techniques of theatre. This extends to the artistic and technical components, for instance, lighting, costumes, makeup, props, scenery, aesthetic judgment and sound (Education Testing Services, 2009).
Another important aspect is production. This takes into account the elements that support a good theatre management and organization. This entails the maintenance and safety of facilities and equipment and all other unproductive possibilities (Education Testing Services, 2009). In addition, product management covers box office, budgetary procedures, stage management and other issues pertaining to season planning and scheduling as well as the value of a particular play to the school or community.
It is important to acquire adequate instruction skills and professional knowledge to be able to interpret the audiences, develop the students imagination and creativity, self-concept and self-expression. In addition, it facilitates in understanding the social role of the theatre, the philosophy behind theatre programs, community resources as well as funding resources.
Creative drama involves all aspects of story telling and story dramatization, kids literature, role playing and theatre games, puppetry and masks, movements, rhythm and clowning, sensory and emotional perceptions, dramatic play and aesthetic judgments (Education Testing Services, 2009).
Having said that it is worthwhile to formulate certain test guidelines that can help to expose the teachers or other interested parties on the themes discussed above. It will be a set of twelve test questions and subsequently discuss them in the light of their preferred answers.
Test
Consider the moments when the actor is performing in a large auditorium what voice would be suitable when performing in such a context
Who is least likely to be included in the house management staff
Where can one classify the play The Way of the World by William Congreve
What aspect cannot be referred to as a type of stage
Which could be the least effective method in teaching high school students the mechanics of rehearsing a play
What would be the most essential training for an individual who is contemplating teaching theatre and drama to elementary students
After students get to watch a live performance of the play Our Town, which question would be suitable to assess their aesthetic judgments
Considering that students may later in their academic careers be able to evaluate theatrical productions as well as make informed aesthetic judgments what activities would one opt for to facilitate this goal
Consider the play Pygmalion, where several Londoners are under a canopy waiting for the rain to stop. The characters exhibit varied actions and performances that reflect their responses to the situation. Which is the best term that best describes these characters
Theatre of cruelty is linked to early twentieth-century movement. Who is that playwright that is commonly associated with it
Adolphe Appia (1862-1928) is among the greatest contributors in one of the aspects of theatre. Which one
Who is responsible for the audience control prior to a performance
Test Analysis and Discussions
This section discusses the possible solutions to the above test, including their practical applications.
Projection would be the best answer in question one. Projection is the most critical aspect to performance in a large auditorium. However, resonance, timbre and pitch play a major role in the voice management.
The best response to question two would be the stage director since he has an overall responsibility to oversee the activities that are geared towards the actual performance. On the other hand, the management staff consists of the reservationist, publicist and the box office manger.
The best response to question one would a comedy of manners. This is a type of drama that excelled in the period of Restoration. It brings out certain conventions and manners in the society in a satirical manner through witty dialogue.
Spike would be the best response to question four as one cannot talk of spike set. There are cases when the term spike and set are linked in theatre vocabulary, for instance, spike the set which implies the components like furniture. On the contrary, unit, cutaway, and box are all types of stage sets.
Publicity crew would be the best fitting answer in question five. Normally, students may be involved in the promotion and advertisement of the production, and this is an event that is way far from the rehearsal of the play.
In question six, creative dramatics best responds to the question. Normally, the process and techniques acquired in creative drama studies are very useful in the process of incorporating theatre and drama into a basic classroom.
In question seven, it is preferable to make the students make an enquiry into those elements that they liked or disliked about the performance in the play Our Town. If may be the teacher made them evaluate a character on the stage or identify the universal themes in the play, it would not motivate them to give creative judgments due to nature of the questions. In addition, it would incline the students to reflect more on the characters and the themes of the play which is rather a particularized approach than when they consider the quality of performance.
In question eight it would be preferable if such students viewed plays produced by professional theatrical groups while comparing them with local productions by a theatre group. It is indisputable that production can be from professionals or amateurs. Therefore, the preferred choice mentioned would allow the students experience these differences.
Pantomime would be the best term that best describes the characters as depicted in question nine.
Pantomime involves dramatic activities where actors rely on silent motions, gestures, facial expressions, and costumes in the expression of a story or activity.
The best answer to question ten would be Antonin Artaud. Although there are other playwrights like Beckett and Lonesco only that they are associated with theatre of the absurd. Again, Shaffer, a contemporary British playwright, is associated with realistic and absurdist drama.
In question eleven, Adolphe Appia contributed a lot in stage design. He is reported to have revolutionized stage design due to his desire for artistic unity that can only be achieved through concentration on theatrical elements, for instance, lighting and three-dimensional sets.
A house manager best suits in the audience control prior to a performance. This should be the best response to question twelve. However, the ushers can assist the audience, while the director is accountable for the actual performance, and the box manager is accountable for the reservations and ticket sales.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment