Byram Hills Central School District

This information has been taken directly from the Accelerate U - Standards and Resource Guides (with approval) from the K-12 Education, NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT site. No information in this document has been changed.

Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art

3. Students will reflect upon, interpret, and evaluate plays and theatrical performances, both live and recorded, using the language of dramatic criticism. Students will analyze the meaning and role of theatre in society. Students will identify ways in which drama/theatre connects to film and video, other arts, and other disciplines.

In addition to the General Education performance indicators, students:

develop a critical vocabulary through the reading and discussion of professional criticism (a)
explain the meaning and societal function of different types of productions (b)
design a plan for improving performances, using past and present critiques (c)
explore various other art forms and technologies, using them in theatre projects (d)
explain how theatre can enhance other subjects in the curriculum (e)
compare and contrast theatre, film, and video (f).

This is evident, for example, when students:

read a review of a local theatre production analyzing the critic's writing style, approach to priorities in the production, and conclusions about the play in performance, discussing the points of agreement and disagreement
make two diagrams showing the differences between tragedy and melodrama, and comedy and farce
keep a journal of the process involved in creating a monologue; comment on improvements made in the monologue content and performance
investigate commedia dell'arte and form an improvisational troupe to perform at area schools
work with an elementary teacher to incorporate theatre practices in the teaching of social studies

compare different versions of the same play performed live, on film or on tape; compare a traditional interpretation of a play with a contemporary interpretation, or a musical production of a former drama.