ADA3MIP

Styles of drama and performance

Commedia dell Arte

Kabuki

Melodrama

LEARNING GOAL:
This assignment will give you and your classmates a greater knowledge and appreciation for a wide variety of
drama and performance styles from different time periods and cultures from across the world. You will develop
interpretations of drama texts or other sources from a variety of Western and non-Western traditions as a basis
for your own drama presentations.
TASK:
In groups of three, you and your partners will be responsible for creating an original presentation of a specific
style of drama and performance. Your presentation will be based on one of the three styles studied in class.
Make sure to check with Ms. Lillie to confirm your groups style, as style will be assigned on a first come, first
served basis.
Performance:
Your group can adapt an existing script from your specific style or create and devise an original script
for performance.
As a group you are responsible for exploring the themes and subject matter related to your specific style
of performance.
You need to develop your characters based on the traditional characters studied.
You must follow the conventions and techniques of the specific style in your performance.
You must stage your performance based on traditional staging of your style.
Physicality must reflect the traditional movements and gestures inherent in your particular character and
style.
Costumes and production elements must reflect your style and traditions.

Research:
You will have to spend some time on a computer doing a bit more research as a group to find out more relevant
information about your specific style of drama or performance in order to understand how to create a traditional
story and characters. In other words, you have homework!
Evaluation: Please see reverse for rubric.

Styles of drama and performance rubric

level 4

KNOWLEDGE
Techniques/
conventions of style
A2.1, A2.2

Extremely thorough
understanding of the specific
style and conventions

Solid understanding of the

specific style and
conventions

Some understanding of the

specific style and
conventions

Limited understanding
of the specific style and
conventions

Themes/Subject
matter
A1.1, A1.2

Thorough understanding and

exploration of the themes
and subject matter of the
specific style; extremely
clear in the performance.
Tons of improvisation,
experimentation and/or
group work skills shown in
rehearsal

Style themes and subject

matter are explored;
obvious in the
performance.

Themes and subject matter

not fully understood/
explored, somewhat
evident in the performance.

Themes are limited in

the performance.

Good improvising
/experimenting and/or
work effectively in a
group

Some improvising,
experimenting and/or
somewhat effective group
work

Limited

Blocking/use of
space/Staging
A3.1

Excellent use of stage

space/blocking. Actions are
always directed to intended
audience/Effective stage
planning reflects specific
style.

Good use of stage

space/blocking. Actions
are directed to intended
audience/Good stage
planning; mostly reflects
specific style.

Satisfactory use of stage

space; some work needed
on blocking/ Some stage
planning; more thought
needs to go into it, some
stylistic choices.

Ineffective use of space;

little evidence of
blocking; limited stage
planning and reflection
of style.

COMMUNICATION
Storyline B2.4

Extremely effective
communication of storyline;
well thought-out and full of
meaning

Good communication of
storyline; creative and
meaning is clear

Somewhat effective
communication of
storyline; meaning is often
decipherable

Limited communication
of storyline; unclear
meaning

Rubric questions
B1.3,

Excellent critical analysis

and reflection/evaluation of
own and others drama
works & activities

Good critical analysis and

reflection/evaluation of
own and others drama
works & activities

Some critical analysis and

reflection/evaluation of
own and others drama
works & activities

Limited analysis and

reflection of own and
others drama works &
activities

B2.2, B2.4, C1.1

Thorough understanding of
nature and function of drama
past and present

Good understanding of
nature and function of
drama past and present

Some understanding of
nature and function of
drama past and present

Limited understanding
of nature & function of
drama past and present

B3.2

Thoroughly identifies and

explains skills used and role
in ensemble
Extremely evident and well
developed set of attributes;
characteristic movement,
gestures, actions, use of
props, representative of
traditional characterization.

Able to identify and

explain skills used and
role in ensemble
Clear & developed set of
attributes; characteristic
movement, gestures,
actions, use of props,
representative of
traditional character.

Somewhat able to identify

& explain skills used and
role in ensemble
Somewhat clear &
developed set of attributes;
hints of typical movement,
gestures, actions, use of
props, not always
representative of character.

Limited explanations of
skills used & role in
ensemble
Limited set of
attributes; noncharacteristic
movement, gestures,
actions, use of props,
for specific character.

Vocal Character
Work
A2.2, A3.2

Extremely well-developed
voice; typical of character.
Excellent volume throughout
the performance.

Strong voice; typical of

character; consistent
volume throughout the
performance.

Somewhat developed voice;

somewhat typical of
character. Needs more
volume throughout.

Atypical voice for

character; volume
inconsistent throughout.

Costumes/Production
Elements
A3.3

Extremely recognizable
costume, representative of
Mask/Type actor was
representing; This could be a
professional production!

Audience can identify

mask/character through
costume used; Prod.
elements are useful and
connected to the story

Audience can identify

mask/character somewhat
through costume use; Prod.
elements show some
thought

Audience cannot
identify mask/ character
through costume; Prod.
elements are limited

Focus/commitment
C3.1

Performer is consistently
focused and commited
onstage

Performer demonstrates
focus and commitment

Some focus and

commitment onstage

Limited focus and

commitment

THINKING
Rehearsal
A3.2

APPLICATION
Characterization/
Physical Character
Work
A3.2

Comments:

80-100%

Name: _______________________

CATEGORY

level 3

70-79%

level 2

60-69%

level 1 50-59%

Rubric Questions: (Please answer all questions in full sentences. Please be detailed, analytical and self-reflective about
your process)

1. What role did you play when planning your group presentation? How could you improve your
effectiveness in this role?

2. Identify and assess the contribution of your other group members in this project. Discuss leadership and
supporting roles, group dynamics, and cooperative problem solving during the process of creating your
performance.

3. In what way did working on this project contribute to your understanding of the traditional style your
group chose?

4. How were staging, blocking, text, music, make-up, costumes, sound effects and other production
elements used to help enhance all the other aspects of your performance? How did they help
communicate information about the setting, characters and action?

5. What acting or personal skills did you learn/acquire working through this assignment?

6. In your opinion, how could a dramatic or performance style like the one you explored be used to convey a serious
message? Do you think this particular style could be used in a modern context (setting and time period) to sharpen
the focus on a moral dilemma? If, so explain.