Historical, Cultural, and Social Contexts

          Students understand and appreciate the historical, social, political and cultural contexts of drama/theatre in societies both past and present. Students identify significant contributions of playwrights, actors, designers, technicians, composers/lyricists, choreographers, directors, producing organizations and inventors to dramatic/theatrical heritage. Students analyze the social and political forces that have influenced and do influence the function and role of drama/theatre in the lives of people.

Benchmark A: Explain the style of a dramatic/theatrical work in historical or cultural context.

Grade Six

1. Discuss production styles.
2. Read, discuss and/or perform a play written in a time period.
3. Discuss the production styles of various cultures.

Grade Seven

1. Identify the basic principles and elements of representational theatre and presentational theatre.
2. Work in collaboration to change the production style of a dramatic/theatrical work from a past time period to the present time period.
3. Describe the ways in which cultural traditions and perspectives are reflected in live theatre, film/video and broadcast media.

Grade Eight

1. Compare and contrast why one style of performance is more appropriate to a given story or message.
2. Identify principles and elements of a dramatic/theatrical work from a specific time period.
3. Change the production styles of a dramatic/theatrical work from one cultural perspective to another.

Benchmark B: Compare and contrast playwrights and/or screenwriters from various time
                             periods.

Grade Six

4. Compare and contrast the work of a playwright and a screenwriter.

Grade Seven

4. Research and report on a playwright or screenwriter related to an assigned reading.

Grade Eight

4. Compare and contrast two playwrights and/or screenwriters from a specific time period.