1. US Curriculums
  2. TEKS
  3. Grade 10
  4. Theatre
  5. Evaluate the treatment of artistic elements such as theme, character, setting, and action in theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, music, or other media and integrate more than

Grade 10 · Theatre

Evaluate the treatment of artistic elements such as theme, character, setting, and action in theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, music, or other media and integrate more than

Quarter 2 · Week 4 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

  • TEKS.117.316.05D primary
    evaluate the treatment of artistic elements such as theme, character, setting, and action in theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, music, or other media and integrate more than one art form in informal presentations;
  • TEKS.117.316.05E primary
    examine career and avocational opportunities such as theatre education, arts administration, performance, design, management, and playwriting in theatre or other media and evaluate the training, skills, self-discipline, and artistic discipline needed to pursue such opportunities;
  • TEKS.117.316.05F primary
    use technology such as portfolios, research projects, and journals to document and present information in a clear and coherent manner; and

Companion Video Lesson

This text lesson has a separate video watch page so search engines and learners can treat the written lesson and the video lesson as distinct resources.

Open the dedicated video lesson page

Lesson Overview

This Grade 10 theatre lesson guides students to critically evaluate artistic elements such as theme, character, setting, and action across various media including theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, and music. Students will also explore theatre-related career and avocational opportunities, assessing the necessary training and skills. The lesson integrates technology use for documenting and presenting information clearly, supporting students in informal presentations that combine multiple art forms.

Learning Objectives

  • Evaluate how theme, character, setting, and action are treated in theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, music, or other media.
  • Integrate more than one art form in informal presentations to enhance artistic expression.
  • Examine career and avocational opportunities in theatre and related media, evaluating the training, skills, and discipline required.
  • Use technology such as portfolios, research projects, and journals to document and present information clearly and coherently.

Success Criteria

  • Students can identify and explain the treatment of artistic elements in various performance and media examples.
  • Students create informal presentations that effectively combine multiple art forms.
  • Students describe different theatre careers and the skills and training needed for each.
  • Students use technology tools to organize and present their research and reflections clearly.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have basic understanding of artistic elements in theatre such as theme, character, setting, and action, and some experience with performance or media presentations.

Key Vocabulary

  • Theme
  • Character
  • Setting
  • Action
  • Artistic elements
  • Musical theatre
  • Dance
  • Art
  • Music
  • Integration
  • Portfolio
  • Research project
  • Journal
  • Career opportunities
  • Avocational opportunities
  • Self-discipline
  • Artistic discipline

Materials and Resources

  • Examples of theatre, musical theatre, dance, art, and music performances or media clips
  • Technology devices for creating portfolios, research projects, or journals (computers, tablets)
  • Presentation tools (projector, speakers)
  • Paper and writing tools for notes and reflections

Teacher Preparation

  • Select diverse examples of performances or media that highlight different treatments of artistic elements.
  • Prepare a list of theatre-related careers and the skills/training they require.
  • Set up technology tools and platforms for student documentation and presentations.
  • Plan warm-up and role-play activities to engage students in artistic element exploration.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Artistic Elements in Theatre and Media

Artistic elements such as theme, character, setting, and action are fundamental components that shape a theatrical or artistic work. The theme is the central idea or message the work conveys. Characters are the individuals who carry out the story or express the theme. Setting refers to the time and place where the story unfolds, providing context and atmosphere. Action involves the events and movements that drive the story forward. In theatre and other media, these elements are treated differently depending on the style, genre, and artistic choices, influencing the audience's experience and interpretation.

Evaluating Treatment of Artistic Elements

To evaluate how artistic elements are treated, students observe how clearly and effectively each element is presented and integrated. For example, does the theme emerge consistently through character actions and setting? Are characters developed with depth and motivation? Does the setting support the mood and story? Is the action purposeful and engaging? Comparing different media—such as a dance performance versus a musical theatre scene—helps students understand how artistic elements can be emphasized or adapted across forms.

Integrating Multiple Art Forms in Presentations

Integrating more than one art form means combining elements like music, dance, visual art, or spoken word to enrich a performance or presentation. For instance, a short scene might include live music or projected artwork to enhance the theme or setting. This integration requires thoughtful planning to ensure all elements support each other and the overall message. Informal presentations allow students to experiment with blending art forms creatively and reflect on how integration changes audience perception.

Exploring Theatre Careers and Required Skills

Theatre offers diverse career and avocational opportunities including theatre education, arts administration, performance, design, management, and playwriting. Each path demands specific training, skills, and personal discipline. For example, performance requires vocal and physical skills plus emotional self-discipline; arts administration needs organizational and communication skills; design roles require creativity and technical knowledge. Understanding these roles helps students consider their interests and the commitment needed to pursue theatre professionally or as a hobby.

Using Technology for Documentation and Presentation

Technology tools like digital portfolios, research projects, and journals help students document their learning and artistic work clearly and coherently. Portfolios can showcase performance clips, design sketches, or written reflections. Research projects allow investigation into careers or artistic elements with multimedia support. Journals provide space for ongoing reflection and growth. Using technology effectively supports students in organizing their ideas and sharing them with peers or instructors.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

Compare two short video clips: one from a musical theatre performance and one from a dance piece. Identify how the theme is expressed differently in each and how character and setting contribute to that expression.

Explanation

In the musical theatre clip, the theme might be expressed through lyrics and dialogue, with characters interacting in a clearly defined setting that supports the story. In the dance piece, the theme is conveyed through movement and physical expression, with abstract or minimal setting elements. Character may be represented by the dancers' roles or emotions rather than spoken lines.

Answer Guide

The musical theatre clip uses dialogue and song to express the theme clearly, with characters and setting supporting the narrative. The dance piece expresses the theme through movement and emotion, with less emphasis on a specific setting or character dialogue.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Introduce the lesson by showing short clips from different media (theatre, dance, musical theatre, art installations) that highlight distinct artistic elements. Ask students to note what stands out about theme, character, setting, and action in each.

Student Activity

Watch and discuss the clips, sharing initial observations about how artistic elements are presented and what emotions or ideas they convey.

Explanation

Engaging with varied examples helps students begin to recognize and compare artistic elements across media, setting the stage for deeper evaluation.

Examples

  • Students identify different themes such as conflict, love, or identity.
  • Students notice character emotions and motivations.
  • Students recognize how settings create mood or context.
  • Students observe how action sequences vary in style and purpose.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Guide students through a role-play or tableau activity where they create short scenes emphasizing one artistic element each (theme, character, setting, or action).

Student Activity

In small groups, students develop and perform their scenes focusing on their assigned artistic element, then discuss how it shaped their presentation.

Explanation

Hands-on creation allows students to experience how focusing on one element affects the overall work and audience understanding.

Examples

  • Students demonstrate clear emphasis on their assigned element.
  • Students articulate the impact of their focus on the scene's meaning.
  • Students suggest ways to combine art forms for richer expression.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Present information on theatre careers and the skills and training they require. Show examples of portfolios and journals used by theatre professionals.

Student Activity

Take notes and ask questions about different career paths and the disciplines involved. Begin planning a simple portfolio or journal entry documenting their learning.

Explanation

Understanding career options and professional documentation prepares students for informed choices and self-presentation in theatre.

Examples

  • Students identify key skills like communication and creativity.
  • Students recognize the importance of discipline and training.
  • Students list portfolio contents such as performance videos or design sketches.
  • Students express interest in using technology for documentation.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Facilitate student informal presentations that integrate at least two art forms (e.g., a short scene with music and visual art). Provide feedback on artistic element treatment and integration effectiveness.

Student Activity

Create and perform or present their integrated art form pieces, then reflect on their choices and audience response.

Explanation

Applying evaluation and integration skills in presentations deepens understanding and artistic expression.

Examples

  • Students successfully combine art forms to enhance theme or mood.
  • Students identify strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Students describe audience engagement and feedback.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Assign a reflective journal entry or portfolio update where students evaluate their own and peers' treatment of artistic elements and integration, and summarize what they learned about theatre careers and documentation.

Student Activity

Write or compile their reflections and evaluations using technology tools, demonstrating clear and coherent presentation of ideas.

Explanation

Reflection consolidates learning and encourages critical thinking about artistic and career development.

Examples

  • Students provide thoughtful evaluations of artistic elements.
  • Students articulate insights about integration benefits.
  • Students express informed career interests.
  • Students demonstrate organized and clear use of technology.

Classroom Activity

In small groups, students develop and perform their scenes focusing on their assigned artistic element, then discuss how it shaped their presentation.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

Define the artistic elements of theme, character, setting, and action.

Teacher Answer Guide

Theme is the main idea or message; character is the person or figure in the story; setting is where and when the story happens; action is what happens or the events in the story.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

Explain how setting influences understanding of theme.

Teacher Answer Guide

Setting provides context and mood that help the audience understand the theme by showing where and when the story takes place, highlighting ideas or emotions related to the theme.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

Describe how integrating two art forms enhances a presentation.

Teacher Answer Guide

Combining art forms like music and visual art can make the theme or character more vivid and clear, enriching the audience's experience and understanding.

Guided Practice 4

Prompt

Analyze training and skills needed for a theatre career.

Teacher Answer Guide

For example, an actor needs voice and movement training, memorization and emotional expression skills, and self-discipline to practice and perform professionally.

Guided Practice 5

Prompt

Document evaluation of artistic elements using technology.

Teacher Answer Guide

A portfolio or journal includes notes or media clips analyzing theme, character, setting, and action, with reflections on how art form integration enhanced the performance's impact.

Independent Practice

  1. Foundational: Define the artistic elements of theme, character, setting, and action in your own words.
  2. Developing: Describe how the setting in a theatre performance can influence the audience's understanding of the theme.
  3. Application: Create a brief informal presentation that integrates at least two art forms (for example, a short scene with music or visual art). Explain how this integration enhances the treatment of theme or character.
  4. Analysis: Analyze a theatre career of your choice and explain the training, skills, and self-discipline needed to succeed in that role.
  5. Challenge: Using technology, compile a portfolio or journal entry that documents your evaluation of artistic elements in a recent performance you observed. Include reflections on how integration of art forms affected the overall impact.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

  1. 1. Theme is the main idea or message; character is the person or figure in the story; setting is where and when the story happens; action is what happens or the events in the story.
  2. 2. The setting provides context and mood that help the audience understand the theme by showing where and when the story takes place, which can highlight certain ideas or emotions related to the theme.
  3. 3. An example answer would describe a short scene where background music sets the mood and visual art projections create the setting, making the theme more vivid and the characters' emotions clearer to the audience.
  4. 4. For example, an actor needs training in voice and movement, skills in memorization and emotional expression, and self-discipline to practice regularly and handle auditions and performances professionally.
  5. 5. The portfolio or journal should include notes or media clips analyzing theme, character, setting, and action, with reflections explaining how combining art forms like music and dance enhanced the performance's emotional or narrative impact.

Guiding Questions

  • How do theme, character, setting, and action shape a performance?
  • In what ways can multiple art forms be combined effectively?
  • What skills and discipline are needed for theatre careers?
  • How can technology support your artistic documentation and presentation?

Common Misconceptions

  • Artistic elements like theme and character are only important in theatre, not in other media.
  • Integrating multiple art forms always makes a presentation better regardless of how they are combined.
  • Theatre careers require only talent and not training or discipline.
  • Technology use in theatre is only for advanced professionals, not students.

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide graphic organizers to help identify artistic elements in performances. Offer sentence starters for reflections and evaluations. Allow use of simpler technology tools for documentation.

English-Language Learner Support

Use visuals and examples to explain key vocabulary. Encourage peer discussion to support understanding. Provide bilingual glossaries for theatre terms.

Advanced and Extension

Challenge students to research and present on less common theatre careers. Encourage creation of complex integrated presentations using multiple art forms. Assign extended portfolios including research on historical and cultural influences.

Assessment

  • Observe student participation in role-play and tableau activities focusing on artistic elements.
  • Review notes and questions during career exploration presentations.
  • Monitor progress on portfolio or journal documentation.
  • Write a brief explanation of how theme and character were treated in a recent performance example.
  • List two theatre careers and the skills needed for each.
  • Describe one way technology can help document artistic work.
  • Create a detailed portfolio that evaluates artistic elements and integrates multiple art forms in a presentation.
  • Write a research report on a theatre career including required training and skills.
  • Present a reflective journal entry on learning about artistic elements and career opportunities.

Answer Guide

  • Define the artistic elements of theme, character, setting, and action.
    Answer: Theme is the main idea or message; character is the person or figure in the story; setting is where and when the story happens; action is what happens or the events in the story.
  • Explain how setting influences understanding of theme.
    Answer: Setting provides context and mood that help the audience understand the theme by showing where and when the story takes place, highlighting ideas or emotions related to the theme.
  • Describe how integrating two art forms enhances a presentation.
    Answer: Combining art forms like music and visual art can make the theme or character more vivid and clear, enriching the audience's experience and understanding.
  • Analyze training and skills needed for a theatre career.
    Answer: For example, an actor needs voice and movement training, memorization and emotional expression skills, and self-discipline to practice and perform professionally.
  • Document evaluation of artistic elements using technology.
    Answer: A portfolio or journal includes notes or media clips analyzing theme, character, setting, and action, with reflections on how art form integration enhanced the performance's impact.

Real-Life Application

Ask students to discuss with family members any experiences with theatre or performing arts and share what they learned about artistic elements and theatre careers. They can also explore local theatre events or online performances together.

Homework or Home Connection

  • Ask students to discuss with family members any experiences with theatre or performing arts and share what they learned about artistic elements and theatre careers. They can also explore local theatre events or online performances together.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learn to critically evaluate how theme, character, setting, and action are treated in various artistic media and practice integrating multiple art forms in presentations. They explore theatre career options, understanding the skills and discipline required, and use technology to document and present their learning clearly. These skills prepare students for deeper artistic expression and informed decisions about theatre involvement.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

Related Lessons