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LBS 405: Engineering & the Arts in the Elementary Classroom

THEATRE MODULE
Notetaking & Assignment Guide

Name: Eileen Vazquez

Class Section: 03
Instructor Name: Kristal Cheek

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Section I: What is Theatre?

I. Quick Write. Before beginning this module, write your responses to the following questions in your
own words:
a. What is theatre?
Theatre is an art form that allows us to perform, direct, and observe plays into a stage.
b. What types of experiences have you had with theatre?
I’ve volunteered backstage for a couple of plays, so I have seen and have been a part of the
process of directing a play.
c. How do you feel about theatre, either as a participant or as an audience member?
I think it’s a fantastic thing, not many people can say they have the skill of acting. Even for a
dancer like myself, it’s a nerve-racking thing to speak for a live audience for a long period of
time without the fear of messing up.

II. Origins of Theatre

a. In your own words, explain the origins of theatre. Address how theatre came about and the
characteristics of early theatrical performances.
The first groups of mankind enjoyed chants and imitations of well-known people. It was
enjoyed so much that people began to act out war scenes, hunting scenes, and love scenes. As
civilizations developed, more presentations like these scenes were formally organized to share
in a platform.

III. Development of Theatre Over Time

a. Explain how theatre developed over time, from its origins to its modern characteristics. Select
three different time periods throughout history and explain how theatre differed during each
period.
Based on the eras, they all seem to develop in different areas of interest based on the time. The
Medieval times had close relation with the beginnings of spreading Catholic beliefs, so
playwrights were exposed to Bible stories of saints and sins. The Renaissance meant breaking
out of religion and exploring fantasy and danger, and that’s what brought plays of tragedy and
fairies. By the time of Romanticism, it was clear that people loved the conflict between good
and bad, and so it became the most popular form of theatre.
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IV. Personal Preference

a. If you could be alive during any time period and experience theatre, which time period would
you choose? Why would you select this time period? Explain the characteristics of theatre
during this time period and why you are attracted to it.
I would choose to live during the Renaissance because I love the idea of street theatre. There’s
also many plots involving murder or revenge, and this type of drama is what makes acting so
fun. To become a character that isn’t you but could be you. To have the freedom of
improvisation and explore your character in “that” moment.

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Section II: Analysis of Script & Performance

I. Summary of Theatre Elements

a. Write a one-paragraph summary (approximately 150 words) of the elements of a theatre
production. Explain how the elements work together to create a production.
The elements of a theatre are the script, the process, the product, and the audience. A
production cannot begin without a script, so it is important to choose a script that will be a
relevant or entertaining choice. The process follows with the selection of actors, stage crew,
and backstage crew. These people are what make the process easier and organized, which
leads to the ending product. The ending product is then presented to the audience that will
observe and react to this entertaining production to later review or recommend.

II. Mini-Analysis of a Script

a. Name of Script: GRACE

b. Identify the follow aspects of the chosen script. Copy and paste the information from the script
to the different areas to demonstrate your ability to identify these aspects.

Setting Dimly Lit Room. Night.

Character …an angel who has fallen in love with a mortal

Descriptions

Bez goes to the chair, grabs it and slams it upright to the floor with a
Stage thunderous boom.
Directions Jude goes for the chair. Grace grabs him.

BEZ What are you doing?

Dialogue GRACE Helping him rest?
BEZ He's mine now.
GRACE No... not yet.
BEZ You had your chance. You failed.

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GRACE Not yet.

III. Mini-Analysis of a Performance

a. Name of Performance: Blood Wedding

b. Venue Viewed: CSU Dominguez Hills University Theatre

c. Analysis (approximately 3 paragraphs):

i. Overview of the Play
This play is taken place in Mexico where two people are in an arranged marriage. The
man is happy to marry her, but the woman loves another. This play goes through the
climactic dialogue of the bride and her lover, following along with the lover and his wife
who is the sister of the soon to be bride. Everything begins to be revealed during the
wedding when the bride runs away with her lover and the now husband goes after the
lover to face in combat till death.
ii. Explanation & Analysis of Elements of Theatre
The script was rehearsed every day based on the scene selection and the actors in the
chosen scene. The process involved finding props that suited the era and setting the
best and practicing with them to become comfortable with them. The product would
involve everything done with smooth transitions and theatrical executions. The
audience would then grab on to the actor’s performance and follow along with the
climactic scene to reveal the ending.
iii. Personal Response
It was a well-executed play, there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary that did not seem
unplanned. The actors fully committed to their character; I enjoyed all their
performances. The scenic design had a lot of thought to it too, every setting change fit
the scene perfectly. Whether it was the woods, a small living room, or a wealthy home,
everything was well thought out. It all came together to give a great production.

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Section III: Theatre in the Elementary Classroom

I. Quick Write. Based on what you know about theatre so far, how might you imagine incorporating
theatre and performance into the elementary classroom as a teacher?
I would use it for a text they are reading. Reading a relevant text to their time will make it more
interesting or exciting to them too. Once everyone knows the story very well, they will all choose a
scene they would want to act out. I would ask them to use vocabulary words we have learned from the
text as well. This will let me know that they know the words well and know how to use them properly.
Based on the grade level, I would ask them to create a dialogue or give them one that has already been
created. After a couple of days of rehearsing, they will all perform their scenes in order of the text.

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II. Mini-Activity Plan

Activity #1
Name of Activity Word Bubble

Learning Objective Students will be able to memorize their vocabulary words.

Materials Needed A blank piece of paper and Markers or colored pencils.

Summary of How After a lesson of learning the vocabulary words, students will write every word
Activity Unfolds in a separate blank piece of paper with a sentence using the word, a drawing,
(Be specific!) and the definition.

Activity #2
Name of Activity Teach me!

Learning Objective Students will be able to practice their vocal skills.

Materials Needed The Word Bubble pages created by the students.

Summary of How I will collect the 1st activity and they will all receive one page/vocab word to
Activity Unfolds review. They will all teach the word in partners for one minute and then they
(Be specific!) will go to the next partner to teach them their chosen word and so on until
instructed.