Core Theater Skills Rubric!

Performance Rubric:

Please complete the following rubric for your performance. Think critically about the rehearsal process and the final performance.

How To:

1. Make a copy 
2. ADD your name to the title
3. SHARE with Ms. G
4. Complete all 7 sections--Highlight the areas that correctly identify YOU. 

Commedia Reflection

Congratulations on a highly successful performance last night!! I received numerous compliments specifically on your commedia! Bravo!!

Please take some time to think about and reflect on the Commedia Scenes:

Festival Reflection

Discuss the festival that you saw last night. What act(s) stood out? Explain what the act and how it affected YOU as both a spectator and performer.  Be sure to also reflect on Spontaneous Teaching, the improvised scene by Mr. Kelly & Ms. Accomazzo. How did watching the scene deepen your understanding of improvisation?

Your Performance
Discuss your performance last night and how it went. Discuss the group, as well as your individual performance. What did you think you did well? What might you do a bit better if you could go back and perform again?

Devising & Rehearsal
Discuss how you created your scene and your character. How did you come up with what you did? How did you personally create the character? What were some of the strengths of your team? What was a problem that you encountered? How did you solve it? (Or if you didn't, how might you go back and change it if you could?)

Understanding & Realizations
Now that we have completed the Commedia unit, what did you learn?  What realizations do you have? How do you think Commedia dell'Arte grew your understanding of IMPROV?

Rubric

7- Deep, detailed and thoughtful piece that demonstrates an insightful reflection on all areas. Extremely well prepared & thought out. Ideas & speech are extremely well understood and easy to follow.

6 - Detailed and thoughtful piece that demonstrates a strong, meaningful reflection on all areas. Very well prepared & thought out. Ideas & speech are well understood and easy to follow.

5- Detailed and thoughtful piece that demonstrates a meaningful reflection on most areas. Well prepared & thought out. Ideas & speech are understood and easy to follow.

4 - Thoughtful and somewhat detailed piece that demonstrates a reflection on many of areas. Mostly prepared & thought out. Ideas & speech are mostly understood and somewhat easy to follow.

3 - Somewhat thoughtful piece that demonstrates a reflection on many areas, although may leave out large sections. Somewhat prepared & thought out. Ideas & speech are somewhat understood but may not be clear at all times.

2 - Somewhat simplistic and basic piece that demonstrates a reflection on just a few areas; many questions are left unanswered. Not well prepared or thought out. Ideas & speech are not fully understood but may be quite unclear or confusing.

1 - Extremely simplistic and basic piece that hardly demonstrates reflection on the categories; most questions are left unanswered. Not prepared or thought out. Ideas & speech are incorrect, confusing or misleading.

Commedia Characters

Do a quick search for your character and make note of how the character moves, along with the type of sounds you hear from the character.

Zanni

Write a comment below explaining HOW you will apply this research in your performance.

Working with a Mask

HANDLING THE MASK

The following ground rules should be laid down for the actors before they begin trying on the masks:

1. TREAT THE MASK AS IF IT WERE A REAL FACE. The mask should be considered an object of great power and potential. This does not mean it should be used like a religious artifact, but it should also not be mistreated or used to clown around. Have respect, but not reverence, for the mask.
2. ALWAYS PUT THE MASK ON (AND TAKE THE MASK OFF) FACING AWAY FROM THE SPECTATOR. No one, including the actor viewing his or her own image in the mirror, should ever see the mask until after it is firmly in place. Adjust the straps, seat the mask comfortably on the face, and prepare yourself to be surprised by the image.
3. DON’T TOUCH THE MASK WHILE YOU ARE WEARING IT. The clash of context of a flesh and bone hand on a neoprene or plaster face destroys all illusions that the mask creates.
4. NEVER MOVE OR TALK IN THE MASK WITH YOUR “NORMAL” SELF. Every time you put the mask on, you should “transform” into the character. Of course, we all understand that the actor’s self remains beneath the mask, but the actor must avoid anything that will distance himself from the character. Things like talking about your plans for after rehearsal, or asking the stage manager when the next break is coming up, or getting the director to clarify a concept are anathema while wearing the mask. Take the time to properly remove the mask first.

From: ThePlayersJournal.org

Speed Theatre--Commedia Pieces

For the upcoming Theatre Festival, you will have perform

Speed Theatre Performance -- Commedia dell'Arte

Demonstrate....

• A strong understanding of the commedia character's qualities (physical & personality)
• Works well  onstage in relationship with others demonstrating status and power relationship
• Develops a captivatingly comedic scene with a clear conflict & resolution 
• Clarity & control in movement & gibberish
• Overall acting skills (cheating out, being aware of the audience, start/finishing frozen, staying on stage)

BONUS: Improv Game Performance!!! (Like Lunchtime Laughter!)

Next class: Quiz on the Commedia characters! 

The World of Commedia

Commedia Greats...

After you have watched Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges or Laurel & Hardy, write a reaction to the show. Leave the comment below:

What did you notice about the piece? What did you like/dislike?

What parts are comedic? How did the actor create this comedy?

What are some modern performers that use physical humor in their work?