Students sharpen their listening and reaction skills through improv games, exercises, and scenes. They will learn five specific guidelines to apply to their improvisation: accept the offer, bring information to the scene, make active choices, make your partner look good, and don’t force the humour.
There are so many different ways to approach a unit on improvisation. Keep in mind that you will have students who are really excited about this unit and some students who dread it. It’s best to start with low-risk games and exercises and then build up to higher-risk ones. Low-risk games in this situation mean partnered interactions that aren’t shared with the whole class.
National Core Arts Standards
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School 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
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade 6
TH:Re9.1.6.a - Use supporting evidence and criteria to evaluate
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
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
TH:Re9.1.HSII.c - Verify how a drama/theatre work communicates for a specific purpose and audience.
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
Historical & Global Connections
TH.912.H.2.9 - Create scenes that satirize current political or social events.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
Organizational Structure
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
7.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
8.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Prof.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
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:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Acc.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Acc.TH:Cr2.b - Cooperate as a creative team to make interpretive choices for a drama/theatre work.
Adv.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
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.
6.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
6.TH.Re9.a - Use supporting evidence and criteria to evaluate drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
8.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Acc.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Acc.TH.Re9.b - Justify how a drama/theatre work communicates for a specific purpose and audience.
Common Core
Speaking and Listening
Language
Language
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 7 - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
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.
Beginning High School Present
B.PR.2.1 - Develop scripted or devised theatre for presentation.
B.PR.2.4 - Identify the responsibilities of a performer in a variety of theatrical venues.
Intermediate High School Present
I.PR.2.4 - Compare the effect various theatrical venues have upon performance.
Accomplished High School Create
Advanced High School Create
Advanced High School Present
AD.PR.2.4 - Adapt staging and direction for various stage configurations.
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Culture
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
P.C.1.3 - Create original works, such as monologues, scenes, or performance pieces.
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.D - develop an understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
C.1.E - identify theatrical vocabulary and terminology, including basic anatomy of theatre spaces.
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: production
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.A - identify and apply audience etiquette at all performances.
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.D - develop an increased understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
B.2.C - select movements and dialogue to portray a character appropriately.
B.2.E - apply knowledge of effective voice and diction techniques to express thoughts and feelings.
B.2.G - create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
MS 117.212 LII - Critical evaluation and response
B.5.A - understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances.
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.B - explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.C - create expressive movement and mime to define space and characters.
B.1.D - demonstrate an increased understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
B.1.E - apply knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
B.2.A - demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
B.2.B - portray characters through familiar movements and dialogue.
B.2.D - express thoughts and feelings using effective voice and diction.
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.D - develop and practice effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
C.2.C - employ effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.C - offer and receive constructive criticism of peer performances.
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
C.2.B - explore creativity as it relates to self and ensemble.
C.2.C - demonstrate effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.C - offer and receive constructive criticism of peer performances.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.A - apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques effectively.
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - employ safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
HS 117.317 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.318 LIV - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
C.2.B - demonstrate creativity as it relates to self and ensemble and its effect on audience.
C.2.E - create individually or devise collaboratively imaginative scripts and scenarios.
Alberta, Canada
Speech Drama 10
10 - demonstrate safe and appropriate projection
13 - speak spontaneously within a given context
2 - apply effective breathing techniques
Speech Drama 30
Improvisation Drama 10
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
15 - initiate a dramatic situation in response to a given stimulus
16 - make logical choices spontaneously within the boundaries of situation and character
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
3 - maintain concentration during exercises
Improvisation Drama 20
33 - sustain a single character in a variety of situations
34 - demonstrate the techniques of sharing, giving and taking focus
36 - integrate improvisational skills learned, in planned and spontaneous improvisations
Acting Drama 20
10 - critique the work of self and others through observation of specific details
7 - demonstrate the ability to play a character from the character’s point of view
Acting Drama 30
18 - use various vocal skills to enhance characterization
20 - physicalize character through selected and economical movement and gesture
21 - create appropriate stage business
22 - display appropriate character relationships with all other characters in a scene
Movement Drama 10
10 - demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
Playwriting - Drama 20
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
communicate through use of voice and body
demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
focus concentration on one task at a time
generate imaginative and creative solutions to problems
offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
respond to directions without breaking concentration-side coaching
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
2 - demonstrate awareness of personal and shared space
7 - demonstrate awareness of his or her own body and its movement potential
Speech Level I - Beginning
3 - use effective breathing techniques
4 - use techniques of storytelling
5 - recognize the need to control and protect the voice
6 - use volume appropriate to situation
8 - understand volume, articulation, projection, rate, pause, phrasing, pitch and intonation
Speech Level II - Intermediate
9 - use volume, articulation and projection to achieve clarity
Speech Level III - Advanced
16 - use movement and gesture to clarify and enhance speech and character
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
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
17 - select and use language appropriate to a given character and situation
18 - use voice variety to enhance 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
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 a sense of responsibility and commitment
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
develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities
Theatre Studies Level 1 - Beginning (performance analysis)
Technical Theatre - Application
Senior Goal I Objectives
apply imaginative and creative thought to problem-solving situations
demonstrate a sense of inquiry and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate respect for others-their rights, ideas, abilities and differences
demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
demonstrate the ability to offer, accept, and reflect upon, constructive criticism
develop a positive and realistic self-image
Senior Goal II Objectives
be capable of creating and expressing a believable character from scripted and non-scripted material
extend the ability to give form and expression to feelings, ideas and images
Orientation Drama 10
concentrate on the task at hand
demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable with others, physically and emotionally
display consideration and respect for self and others
make effective decisions or choices
offer and accept constructive criticism with a desire to progress
positively support the work of others
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
Experience, document, choreograph, perform, and share creative works in a variety of ways
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 - Reasoning and reflecting
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
Collaborate through reciprocal relationships during creative processes
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
Reflect on creative processes to make connections to personal learning and experiences
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
Develop performance skills in a variety of contexts
Experiment with a range of props, processes, and technologies
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
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
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
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 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Virginia Standards Of Learning (2020)
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.2 - The student will apply a creative process for theatre.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.5 - The student will apply communication and collaboration skills for theatre experiences.
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