Created by Todd Espeland
Todd Espeland has the experience to know that having more tools in your toolbox makes you a better actor. This is especially important when teaching students how to approach Shakespeare. They need help breaking through the language barrier and into the character’s needs and into the character’s thoughts.
The tools that you’ll receive in this course will do just that. The course looks at scansion as a tool for breaking down Shakespeare’s verse, the importance of end of lines, and caesura. Caesura is an inner-line pause which is a lot of fun to play with and really, helps us provide insight to the character’s thoughts and into their needs.
The course provides numerous examples and handouts, and culminates in a performance assignment to use with your students.
9 Modules
3 hours, 3 minutes
6 Credit Hours
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National Core Arts Standards
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Advanced
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 6
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Pr6.1.8.a - Perform a rehearsed drama/theatre work for an audience.
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
TH:Pr6.1.HSI.a - Perform a scripted drama/theatre work for a specific audience.
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Advanced
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
Historical & Global Connections
Organizational Structure
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Prof.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.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
7.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
67TH:Pr6 - Create through improvisation a drama/theatre work that will be shared with an audience.
8.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
8.TH:Pr6 - Perform a rehearsed, scripted scene from a drama/theatre work for an audience.
Prof.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Prof.TH:Pr6 - Perform a rehearsed, scripted short drama/theatre work for a specific audience.
Adv.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Adv.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Common Core
Speaking and Listening
Language
Reading: Literature
Language
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Creating
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Performing
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Responding
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Connecting
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.2 - Create scenarios that communicate character, setting, plot, and conflict.
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.
Beginning High School Respond
B.RE.1.1 - Analyze the dramatic structure of written and presented theatrical works.
Intermediate High School Present
I.PR.2.1 - Develop scenes for formal or informal presentations.
I.PR.2.4 - Compare the effect various theatrical venues have upon performance.
Intermediate High School Respond
I.RE.1.1 - Compare the structure, style and genre of various written and presented theatrical works.
I.RE.1.2 - Analyze how theatre artists' choices reflect various genres and styles.
Advanced High School Create
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
B.C.1.3 - Understand how to read and write scripts that communicate conflict, plot, and character.
Beginning High School Standards - Analysis
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
I.C.2.2 - Interpret scenes through formal and informal presentations.
Intermediate High School Standards - Analysis
Intermediate High School Standards - Culture
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
A.C.2.2 - Interpret scripts through formal and informal presentations.
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.E - identify theatrical vocabulary and terminology, including basic anatomy of theatre spaces.
C.1.F - identify the structure and form in examples of dramatic literature.
MS 117.211 LI - Historical and cultural relevance
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
B.1.F - analyze and evaluate the structure and form of dramatic literature.
MS 117.212 LII - Historical and cultural relevance
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - apply knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
B.1.F - explore and evaluate the structure and form of dramatic literature.
MS 117.213 LIII - Historical and cultural relevance
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.B - relate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - analyze historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.A - evaluate and apply appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Historical and cultural relevance
HS 117.318 LIV - Historical and cultural relevance
Alberta, Canada
Acting Drama 20
1 - analyze a script for explicit character clues
10 - critique the work of self and others through observation of specific details
14 - identify and use operative words in a script
Theatre Studies Drama 10 (Greek, Medieval or Elizabethan, and Canadian)
Theatre Studies Drama 30 (Early or Middle or Late drama)
Playwriting - Drama 20
1 - demonstrate understanding of the basic structure of a play
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
develop awareness of various conventions of theatre
develop the ability to analyze and assess the process and the art
Junior Orientation
meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
recognize that there is an historical and cultural aspect of drama/theatre
share ideas confidently with others
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
develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
extend the ability to explore meaning through abstract concepts
Theatre Studies Level II - Intermediate (Theatre History)
Theatre Studies Level III - Advanced (The script)
10 - demonstrate understanding of the concept of dramatic convention
11 - demonstrate understanding of plot structure
12 - analyze a script to identify character, setting and plot
7 - define the elements of script, dialogue, directions, characters and settings
8 - demonstrate understanding of directions used in a script
Senior Goal III Objectives
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists' intentions
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Interpret and communicate ideas using symbols and elements to express meaning through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists’ intentions
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Describe, interpret and respond to works of art
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Interpret and communicate ideas using symbols and elements to express meaning through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Interpret works of art using knowledge and skills from various areas of learning
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Describe, interpret and respond to works of art
Interpret and communicate ideas using symbols and elements to express meaning through the arts
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
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
Compose, interpret, and expand ideas using symbolism, imagery, and elements
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Apply feedback to develop and refine ideas
Describe, analyze, and respond using drama-specific language
Examine the influences of social, cultural, historical, environmental, and personal context on drama
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
Compose, interpret, and expand ideas using symbolism and imagery
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
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
Develop dramatic works for an intended audience
Intentionally select and combine dramatic elements and conventions
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
Examine the impacts of dramatic works on culture and society
Ontario, Canada
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
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!