Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond

Contents.

 

Foreword–Shitra Schonmann.   

 

Preface.

 

I. CREATIVE DRAMA IN THE CLASSROOM.

1. Creative Drama: An Art, a Socializing Activity, and a Way of Learning.

Educational Objectives.

Definitions.

New Techniques in Drama and Theatre Education.

Values in Creative Playing.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

2. Imagination Is the Beginning.

Imagination.

Concentration.

Organization.

Creativity.

Beginning Exercises for Imagination.

Self-Expression.

Communication.

Discipline.

Problems in Creative Playing.

Evaluating Children's Responses.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

3. Play.

A Historical Overview of Play.

Some Theories of Play.

Ritual.

Speech Play.

The Benefits of Play.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

4. Movement and Rhythms.

Children and Movement.

From Rhythms to Dramatic Play.

Telling Stories in Movement.

The Legend of the Shooting Star.

Anansi and His Six Sons.

The Bat's Choice.

The Turnip.

The Dancing Tea Kettle.

The Full Moon Festival.

From Tyl Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

5. Pantomime: The Next Step.

Class Size.

Length of Class Period.

Playing Space.

Imagination.

Concentration.

Sense Images.

Performing an Activity.

Mood and Feelings.

Characterization.

Pantomime Suggested by Other Means.

Starting Places.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

6. Improvisation: Characters Move and Speak.

Simple Improvisations Based on Situations.

Improvisations Suggested by Objects.

Improvisations from Costumes.

Improvisations from Characters.

Improvisations from Clues.

Biography.

Improvisations for Two.

Improvisations for Three.

"You End It!'' Improvisations.

Improvisations with Problems for Discussion.

Improvisations for Older Players.

Improvisations Based on Holidays.

Improvisations Based on Stories.

Role Playing.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

7. Puppetry and Mask Making.

Puppets.

Stories for Puppet Plays.

Little Indian Two Feet's Horse.

The Talking Cat.

The Fisherman and His Wife.

Puppets as Teaching Aids.

The Story of Noah's Ark.

Puppets as Therapeutic Tools.

Masks.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

8. Dramatic Structure: The Play Takes Shape.

Plot.

Theme or Thought.

Conflict.

Climax.

Dénouement.

Characters.

Dialogue.

Action.

Business.

Melody (or Mood Created by Sound Effects, Music, and Vocal Sounds).

Acts.

Scenes.

Mounting.

Subplots.

Flashback Scenes.

Unity.

Dramatic Irony.

Comedy.

Tragedy.

Prologue and Epilogue.

Narrator.

Theatre for Children.

Mr. Hare Takes Mr. Leopard for a Ride.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

9. Building Plays from Stories.

The Little Scarecrow Boy.

Caps for Sale .

The Tortoise and the Hare.

The Two Foolish Cats.

Darby and Joan.

The Peasant Who Dined with a Lord.

Little BurntFace.

Jack and His Animals.

Jack and the Hainted House.

Prometheus.

Bluebonnets.

Bimi.

The Wise Old Woman.

Kalilah and Dimnah.

300 Ounces of Silver Not Buried Here .

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

10. Creating Plays from Other Sources.

Dramatizing Legendary Material.

Class Projects.

Butterflies.

Revolution.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

11. The Possibilities in Poetry.

Choral Speaking.

Poetry and Dance.

Drama in Poetry.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

12. Speech and Speech--Related Activities.

Readers Theatre.

The Musicians of Bremen .

Story Theatre .

Rimouski .

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

13. Storytelling: We Are All Storytellers.

Why Tell Stories?

Guidelines for the Selection of Stories.

Preparation of the Material.

Some Techniques Used by Storytellers.

Further Values.

Sound and Motion Stories.

The Night the Elephants Marched on New York

Summary.

Suggested Assignments

Journal Writing.

14. Drama as a Teaching Tool.

Integrated Projects.

Drama as an Art in Its Own Right.

Drama as a Learning Medium.

Two Sample Lesson Plans.

Artists in the School.

Playwriting with Young People.

Special Arts Projects.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

15. Creative Drama for the Special Child.

Mainstreaming.

The Child Who Is Gifted.

The Child with Mental Retardation.

The Child Who Is Emotionally Disturbed.

Remedial Drama.

Psychodrama.

Sociodrama.

The Child Who Is Physically Disabled

The Child Who Is Economically Disadvantaged.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

II.    PROGRAMS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

16. Sharing Work with an Audience.

Choosing the Script.

The Director.

Floor Plans.

The Stage Manager.

Casting the Play.

Stage Movement.

Business.

Music.

Lighting.

Scenery.

Properties.

Costumes.

Rehearsals.

The Dress Rehearsal.

The Performance.

The Auditorium.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

17. Theatre-in-Education.

Background of Theatre-in-Education.

Common Strategies.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

18. Playgoing for Appreciation and Learning.

Values of Attending the Theatre.

Preparing Children for the Occasion.

The Performance.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

19. Creative Drama in Alternative Spaces.

Drama in Libraries.

Drama in Museums.

Drama in Parks.

Drama in Churches.

Other Locations.

Environmental Theatre.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

20. The After School and Weekend Drama Program.

Differences between After School and In-School Programs.

Problems that May Arise.

Advantages of the After-School and Weekend Programs.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

21. The Arts in a Multicultural Society.

Storytelling.

Creative Drama.

Movement and Dance.

Puppets and Masks.

Creative Writing.

Celebrating Diversity.

Creative Response.

Attending Plays.

Summary.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

22. New Directions.

Newer Programs.

Drama in the Camp.

Workshops and Training.

Community Arts Agencies.

ArtistsinEducation Program.

Arts Centers.

Young Audiences.

Research.

Aesthetic Education.

The Teacher or Leader.

Summary.

Conclusion.

Suggested Assignments.

Journal Writing.

Appendix A:

Summary Statement: Education Reform, Standards, and the Arts.

Appendix B:     

Glossary of Some Common Dramatic Terms.

Appendix C:    

Student Evaluation.

Appendix D:    

Four Sample Drama Workshops.

Selected Bibliography.

 

Index.