We journey from the Dark Ages to the emergence of Medieval drama. The liturgical or religious drama appeared in the churches as a means of religious instruction. Along the way, production moved from being written in Latin to the local vernacular and then outgrew the churches. The guilds then took over the production responsibilities. The plays came in four types: mystery, miracle, morality, and mummers plays. These can be remembered as the four Ms of Medieval drama.
National Core Arts Standards
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7
TH:Pr4.1.7.a - Consider various staging choices to enhance the story in a drama/theatre work.
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Advanced
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 6
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 7
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Re8.1.8.b - Analyze how cultural perspectives influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Proficient
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 6
TH:Pr6.1.6.a - Adapt a drama/theatre work and present it informally for an audience.
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
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - 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.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Advanced
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
TH.912.C.1.7 - Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
Historical & Global Connections
Organizational Structure
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
7.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
7.TH:Pr4.a - Consider various staging choices to enhance the story in a drama/theatre work.
Prof.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
6.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
6.TH.Re8.b - Identify cultural contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
7.TH.Re8.b - Describe how cultural contexts can influence the evaluation of drama/theatre work.
8.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
8.TH.Re8.b - Analyze how cultural contexts influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
Prof.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Prof.TH:Cn11.1 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
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:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
6.TH:Pr6 - Adapt a piece of literature and present it for an audience.
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.
7.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
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.
Prof.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Prof.TH:Cn11.2 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Adv.TH:Re9 Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Common Core
Language
Reading: Literature
Language
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 6 - Creating
Grade 7 - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Creating
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Responding
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Connecting
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 - Connecting
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Connect
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through improvised and scripted activities.
B.CR.1.2 - Create scenarios that communicate character, setting, plot, and conflict.
B.CR.2.1 - Adapt theatrical works using personal experiences through a collaborative process.
Beginning High School Present
Intermediate High School Create
I.CR.1.1 - Develop a variety of unique characters within given situations through improvisation.
I.CR.2.1 - Adapt unique personal experiences into theatrical works.
Intermediate High School Present
I.PR.2.1 - Develop scenes for formal or informal presentations.
Accomplished High School Create
Accomplished High School Present
AC.PR.1.2 - Display a progression of character moments within the performance of theatrical texts.
AC.PR.2.1 - Develop theatrical works for a specific audience, audition, or production.
Advanced High School Connect
Advanced High School Present
Advanced High School Respond
AD.RE.1.2 - Evaluate the impact of theatrical works on intended audiences.
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.
B.C.1.3 - Understand how to read and write scripts that communicate conflict, plot, and character.
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
I.C.1.3 - Produce scripts based on literature texts.
I.C.2.2 - Interpret scenes through formal and informal presentations.
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
P.C.1.3 - Create original works, such as monologues, scenes, or performance pieces.
P.C.2.2 - Interpret monologues through formal and informal presentations.
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
A.C.2.2 - Interpret scripts through formal and informal presentations.
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
A.CU.1.1 - Interpret theatre arts from personal, cultural, and historical contexts.
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 - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
C.2.D - dramatize literary selections and imitate life experiences through dramatic play.
C.2.E - express emotions and ideas using interpretive movements and dialogue.
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.E - demonstrate knowledge of theatrical vocabulary and terminology.
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
B.2.A - demonstrate safe use of the voice and body.
B.2.C - select movements and dialogue to portray a character appropriately.
B.2.D - create stories collaboratively and individually that have dramatic structure.
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.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 - Historical and cultural relevance
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - portray theatre as a reflection of life in particular times, places, and cultures.
C.4.B - relate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
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 - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - analyze historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.317 LIII - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - evaluate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.E - create individually or devise collaboratively imaginative scripts and scenarios.
HS 117.318 LIV - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - evaluate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
Alberta, Canada
Acting Drama 20
Acting Drama 30
Theatre Studies Drama 10 (Greek, Medieval or Elizabethan, and Canadian)
Playwriting - Drama 20
1 - demonstrate understanding of the basic structure of a play
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
communicate through use of voice and body
focus concentration on one task at a time
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
show awareness of story sequence
speak, move, and generate ideas spontaneously
Theatre Studies Level II - Intermediate (Theatre History)
4 - recognize that drama exists in every culture
Senior Goal I Objectives
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 the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
Senior Goal II Objectives
be capable of creating and expressing a believable character from scripted and non-scripted material
Orientation Drama 10
demonstrate effective use and management of time
demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
display consideration and respect for self and others
make effective decisions or choices
positively support the work of others
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists' intentions
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists’ intentions
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists motivations and meanings
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Examine the influences of social, cultural, historical, environmental, and personal context on drama
Reflect on dramatic experiences and how they relate to a specific place, time, and context
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Purposefully select and combine dramatic elements and conventions
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Demonstrate respect for self, others, and audience
Examine the impacts of dramatic works on culture and society
Ontario, Canada
Grade 6 - Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grade 8 - Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Context and Influences
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Drama and Society
Virginia Standards Of Learning (2020)
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.5 - The student will apply communication and collaboration skills for theatre experiences.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.6 - The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works.
Theatre Arts II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
TII.2 - The student will apply a creative process for theatre.
Theatre Arts II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
TII.3 - The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate theatre.
Theatre Arts II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
TII.6 - The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of theatrical works.
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