Created by Jennine Profeta
Jennine Profeta, Second City performer and theatre educator, leads this course. This course was designed to give a teacher tools to create a safe environment in which students can go beyond their old patterns to take risks, embrace failure, be more confident and aware of the effects of their word choice. The course includes modules on risk-taking, creating a safe environment, failure, confidence, and positive/negative speak.
6 Modules
56 minutes
2 Credit Hours
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National Core Arts Standards
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Advanced
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6
TH:Pr5.1.6.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 8
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Accomplished
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
Innovation, Technology & the Future
Skills, Techniques & Processes
TH.912.S.1.6 - Respond appropriately to directorial choices for improvised and scripted scenes.
TH.912.S.2.4 - Sustain a character or follow technical cues in a production piece to show focus.
TH.912.S.2.8 - Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
TH.912.S.3.3 - Develop acting skills and techniques in the rehearsal process.
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
7.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
8.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Adv.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
6.TH:Pr5.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
8.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Acc.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
6.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
6.TH:Cr3.b - Identify effective physical and vocal traits of characters in a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
8.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Prof.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Acc.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Common Core
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 8 - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Creating
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Performing
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through improvised and scripted activities.
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
B.2.G - create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.B - develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
Alberta, Canada
Speech Drama 10
Speech Drama 20
16 - communicate mood and emotion through voice
20 - apply movement and gesture to clarify and enhance spoken interpretation
Speech Drama 30
Improvisation Drama 10
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
10 - demonstrate appropriate rehearsal methods
12 - create, relate and polish a story
13 - communicate meaning without words
14 - discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
15 - initiate a dramatic situation in response to a given stimulus
16 - make logical choices spontaneously within the boundaries of situation and character
18 - extend the illusion of the onstage environment by creating an offstage reality
19 - demonstrate techniques for creating effective entrances and exits, consistent with character
2 - demonstrate the ability to be still
20 - critique the work of self and others through observation and expression of specific detail
22 - distinguish between performer and character
23 - use varied stimuli for character development
24 - select and use vocal techniques appropriate to a character
25 - select and use language appropriate to character and situation
26 - use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to a character
27 - demonstrate economy in movement and speech by making appropriate selections
28 - demonstrate how attitude, and change in attitude, affects a character
29 - demonstrate understanding of and apply the concept of status
3 - maintain concentration during exercises
30 - demonstrate understanding of and apply the concepts of a character’s objectives and motivation
31 - demonstrate the ability to focus on, and achieve, the objective of a scene
32 - sustain a character throughout a scene or exercise
4 - demonstrate heightened sensory awareness
5 - create experiences through imaging, visualizing and fantasizing
6 - demonstrate thinking in a divergent mode
7 - examine and express feelings
Improvisation Drama 20
33 - sustain a single character in a variety of situations
34 - demonstrate the techniques of sharing, giving and taking focus
35 - demonstrate understanding of how the use of levels and planes can focus the stage picture
36 - integrate improvisational skills learned, in planned and spontaneous improvisations
Improvisation Drama 30
37 - demonstrate various ways of expressing emotions that are consistent with a character
38 - demonstrate various ways of creating and communicating mood
Movement Drama 10
10 - demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
14 - create physically shapes in space
18 - appreciate that physical expression can enhance language
19 - demonstrate qualities of energy
22 - translate words, images and emotions into movement
24 - demonstrate understanding of mood, and communicate mood
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
27 - identify and create a believable emotional build
29 - use improvisational skills and concepts in exploration of text
30 - analyze text for meaning and character development
32 - rehearse, polish and present text
33 - critique the work of self and others through observation of specific details
Junior Goal II Objectives
develop belief in, identification with, and commitment to a role
develop the ability to give form or expression to feelings, ideas and images
develop the body and voice as tools of communication
explore specific techniques demanded by various dramatic forms
Junior Orientation
communicate through use of voice and body
demonstrate awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of drama/theatre
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
share ideas confidently with others
show awareness of story sequence
speak, move, and generate ideas spontaneously
Movement Level I - Beginning
13 - control focus and energy in movement and gesture
17 - use movement to communicate non-verbally
19 - translate sounds, words, images, and emotions into movement
Movement Level II - Intermediate
21 - display clarity of movement and gesture
22 - use exaggerated movement and gesture
25 - communicate environment, character and situation nonverbally
Movement Level III - Advanced
Speech Level II - Intermediate
12 - demonstrate a stage whisper
Speech Level III - Advanced
16 - use movement and gesture to clarify and enhance speech and character
18 - apply speech skills in a variety of speaking situations
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
10 - use essential story elements in spontaneous and planned scenes
11 - create a dramatic situation in response to varied stimuli: objects, pictures, music
12 - make logical choices within the boundaries of situation and character
2 - respond to directions without breaking concentration-side coaching
3 - demonstrate the ability to be still
4 - create experiences through imaging, visualizing and fantasizing
5 - create and tell a story spontaneously
7 - use stage vocabulary: stage areas, body positions and crosses
8 - demonstrate appropriate rehearsal behaviours and routines
9 - communicate a clear beginning, middle and end in spontaneous and planned scenes
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
13 - recognize the techniques of offering, accepting, advancing and blocking
14 - use varied stimuli for character development
15 - use the body and body language to enhance characterization
16 - demonstrate economy in movement and speech
17 - select and use language appropriate to a given character and situation
18 - use voice variety to enhance a character
19 - discover how feelings affect a character
20 - enter and exit in character
21 - sustain a character throughout an exercise or scene
22 - create business appropriate to character and situation
23 - demonstrate understanding of character motivation
24 - recognize that relationships exist between characters in given situations
25 - demonstrate understanding of focus and the processes of sharing, giving and taking
Junior Goal I Objectives
develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities
extend the ability to explore meaning through abstract concepts
extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions
Theatre Studies Level III - Advanced (The script)
7 - define the elements of script, dialogue, directions, characters and settings
8 - demonstrate understanding of directions used in a script
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Awareness
1 - recognize the basic terminology associated with the component being studied
2 - demonstrate understanding of the basic functions of the component being studied.
5 - demonstrate understanding of the various conventions of the components being studied
Technical Theatre - Levels I, II, III - Readiness
6 - demonstrate understanding of the importance of planning and organization
Technical Theatre - Application
13 - determine and acquire necessary supplies or substitutes to construct the planned project
Senior Goal I Objectives
apply imaginative and creative thought to problem-solving situations
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate the ability to offer, accept, and reflect upon, constructive criticism
extend physical and vocal capabilities
extend the ability to concentrate
extend the ability to control and express emotions
sharpen observations of people, situations and the environment
Senior Goal II Objectives
be capable of creating and expressing a believable character from scripted and non-scripted material
develop techniques that enhance vocal and physical communication
Orientation Drama 10
concentrate on the task at hand
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable with others, physically and emotionally
make effective decisions or choices
positively support the work of others
recognize that values are expressed through the arts
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
Take creative risks to experience and express thoughts, emotions, and meaning
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
Develop and refine ideas and technical skills to improve the quality of performance pieces
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Demonstrate awareness of self, others, and audience
Receive and apply constructive feedback to develop and refine ideas
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Receive, provide, and apply constructive feedback to refine dramatic works
Use self-reflection and awareness of audience to refine ideas
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Ontario, Canada
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Drama and Society
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
Our parent company Theatrefolk offers a fantastic selection of plays written specifically for high school and middle school students.
Whether for performances or class study, there's something for everyone: relevant & relatable themes, simple sets & costumes, flexible casting options and much more - a perfect addition to any drama program!