Theater Foundations I

The Utah State Theatre Core divides the goals of theatre education into four theatre standards which are Script Writing, Acting, Designing/Implementing, and Constructing Meaning. The standards organize the curriculum into manageable and related units and guide the student through a rich experience with theatre. Each standard is broken into objectives, each objective into indicators. The individual courses are presented in a portfolio format to facilitate student progress and to encourage the support of parents, teachers, and classmates. Listed below are all the theatre objectives. Each course includes the objectives relevant to its focus and provides indicators to detail the emphasis indicated in the course descriptions that follow. There are additional, elective courses available in many schools. Existing school theatre equipment such as fly systems, lighting/sound systems and equipment, and stage craft equipment are required for each course.

Standard 1 SCRIPT WRITING
Students will integrate unity, character, and plot in scripting dramatic presentations.

Objective A: Interrelate all environments, situations, and characters when creating dramatic presentations.
Objective B: Create appropriate character dialogue and physical attributes within a dramatic presentation.
Objective C: Create linear and non-linear plot structures.

Standard 2 ACTING
Students will develop the basic techniques of acting.

Objective A: Develop expressive use of stage movement through body awareness and spatial perception.
Objective B: Develop expressive use of the voice.
Objective C: Develop sensory/emotional recall techniques.
Objective D: Develop character building techniques.
Objective E: Develop ensemble/rehearsal techniques.

Standard 3 DESIGNING/IMPLEMENTING
Students will use the basic elements of design.

Objective A: Envision design ideas for dramatic presentations.
Objective B: Investigate the technical skills required to execute a design.

Standard 4 CONSTRUCTING MEANING
Students will develop critical thinking skills to construct meaning.

Objective A: Apply internal and external research to a dramatic presentation.
Objective B: Compare/integrate other art forms with theatre.
Objective C: Analyze/critique personal preferences acquired through experiencing theatre as a participant and an observer.
Objective D: Articulate the role of history and culture in theatre.
Objective E: Connect personal experiences with dramatic presentations to own life.
Objective F: Demonstrate the use of assessment techniques in achieving theatre objectives.

THEATRE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Foundations I (TH 1800)
There are two basic goals in theatre education: finding meaning in works of theatre art through the study and appreciation of theatre as an art form, and constructing meaning in works of theatre art through the study and skill development of theatre techniques in the creation of that theatre art. This is the entry-level course that introduces these two concepts. No prerequisite course is required.

Foundations II (TH 1810)
There are two basic goals in theatre education: finding meaning in works of theatre art through the study and appreciation of theatre as an art form, and constructing meaning in works of theatre art through the study and skill development of theatre techniques in the creation of that theatre art. To these concepts this course adds depth as well as breadth through the study of dramatic unity, comparison and integration of art forms, analysis and critique of performance, and understanding of context and the effect of history and culture on character action. The prerequisite for this course is Foundations I (TH 1800).

Foundations III (TH 1820)
There are two basic goals in theatre education: finding meaning in works of theatre art through the study and appreciation of theatre as an art form, and constructing meaning in works of theatre art through the study and skill development of theatre techniques in the creation of that theatre art. To these concepts this course adds depth as well as breadth through the study of production unity, character conflict, character motivation through movement and voice, projecting mood and feelings, trust, the design concepts of visualization and technology, researching a script, variety in art forms, assessing performance effectiveness, and famous theatre professionals. The prerequisite for this course is Foundations I or II (1800 or 1810).

Foundations IV (TH 1830)
There are two basic goals in theatre education: finding meaning in works of theatre art through the study and appreciation of theatre as an art form, and constructing meaning in works of theatre art through the study and skill development of theatre techniques in the creation of that theatre art. To these concepts this course adds depth as well as breadth through the study of scripting suspense; establishing historical and cultural worlds (Shakespeare); using accents and dialects; emotional connection; subtext; symbolic design; theatre careers; the directing concepts of vision, staging, and producing; play reviews; arts integration within a dramatic presentation; and advanced theatre assessment strategies. The prerequisite for this course is Foundations I, II, or III (1800, 1810, or 1820).