1. US Curriculums
  2. TEKS
  3. Grade 11
  4. Theatre
  5. Construct a resume and portfolio of works created in technical theatre

Grade 11 · Theatre

Construct a resume and portfolio of works created in technical theatre

Quarter 4 · Week 7 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

  • TEKS.117.325.05A primary
    construct a resume and portfolio of works created in technical theatre;
  • TEKS.117.325.05B primary
    demonstrate appropriate behavior of technical staff at various types of live performances;
  • TEKS.117.325.05C primary
    apply the design and technical elements of theatre as an art form and evaluate self as a creative being;

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Lesson Overview

This Grade 11 Technical Theatre lesson guides students to construct a professional resume and portfolio showcasing their technical theatre work. Students will also learn appropriate professional behaviors for technical staff during live performances and reflect on their creative growth by applying theatre design and technical elements. The lesson aligns with TEKS standards for critical evaluation and response in theatre, emphasizing self-evaluation and professional presentation.

Learning Objectives

  • Create a detailed resume highlighting technical theatre experiences and skills.
  • Assemble a portfolio that includes examples of technical theatre work such as designs, projects, or production roles.
  • Demonstrate professional and appropriate behavior expected of technical theatre staff during live performances.
  • Apply knowledge of theatre design and technical elements to evaluate personal creative contributions and growth.

Success Criteria

  • Student produces a clear, organized resume listing technical theatre roles and skills.
  • Student compiles a portfolio with diverse examples of technical theatre work.
  • Student exhibits understanding of professional conduct in technical theatre settings.
  • Student articulates how design and technical elements influenced their creative development.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of technical theatre roles and responsibilities, familiarity with theatre production processes, and prior experience participating in technical theatre activities or projects.

Key Vocabulary

  • Resume
  • Portfolio
  • Technical Theatre
  • Design Elements
  • Technical Elements
  • Professional Behavior
  • Live Performance
  • Creative Evaluation

Materials and Resources

  • Sample resumes and portfolios from technical theatre professionals or previous students
  • Paper or digital tools for resume and portfolio creation (e.g., word processor, portfolio binder, presentation software)
  • Checklist of professional behaviors for technical theatre staff
  • Examples of design and technical theatre elements (photos, sketches, videos)

Teacher Preparation

  • Gather sample resumes and portfolios to share with students.
  • Prepare a professional behavior checklist tailored to technical theatre staff roles.
  • Organize examples of design and technical theatre elements for discussion.
  • Develop guiding questions to facilitate student reflection on their creative work.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding the Purpose of a Resume and Portfolio in Technical Theatre

A resume in technical theatre is a document that summarizes a person's skills, experiences, and roles related to theatre production, such as lighting, set design, or stage management. A portfolio is a collection of work samples that visually or descriptively demonstrate a person's abilities and accomplishments. Together, they provide a professional presentation to potential employers or collaborators, showcasing the student's technical skills and creative contributions.

Key Components of a Technical Theatre Resume

A strong technical theatre resume includes contact information, a clear objective or summary statement, a list of technical skills (e.g., carpentry, lighting design), detailed production experience with roles and responsibilities, education or training, and any awards or recognitions. It should be concise, well-organized, and tailored to theatre industry standards.

Building a Portfolio of Technical Theatre Work

Portfolios can include photographs of set designs, lighting plots, costume sketches, sound design notes, or documentation of projects such as stage builds or prop creation. Including reflective notes or descriptions explaining the student's role and challenges overcome adds depth. Portfolios can be physical binders or digital collections, depending on the student's preference and resources.

Professional Behavior of Technical Theatre Staff at Live Performances

Technical staff must demonstrate punctuality, clear communication, teamwork, and respect for all production members. They should follow safety protocols, respond calmly to unexpected issues, and maintain focus during performances. Understanding these behaviors helps students prepare for real-world theatre environments and contributes to successful productions.

Applying Design and Technical Elements and Self-Evaluation

Students should recognize how design elements like lighting, sound, and set contribute to storytelling and audience experience. Evaluating their own work involves reflecting on creative decisions, technical challenges, and collaboration effectiveness. This self-assessment fosters growth as a creative individual and technical artist.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

Review this sample technical theatre resume entry: 'Lighting Technician, Spring Play 2023, responsible for setting up and operating stage lighting.' Explain why this is an effective resume entry.

Explanation

This entry clearly states the role, the production, the date, and specific responsibilities, which helps potential employers understand the student's experience and skills.

Answer Guide

It is effective because it specifies the job title, the production name and date, and describes the student's responsibilities clearly and concisely.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Introduce the lesson by discussing the importance of professional presentation in technical theatre careers. Show examples of resumes and portfolios from theatre professionals.

Student Activity

Students share any previous experiences with resumes or portfolios and discuss what they think should be included for technical theatre roles.

Explanation

Understanding the purpose and components of resumes and portfolios motivates students to see the value in documenting their work and presenting themselves professionally.

Examples

  • Students identify key resume sections such as skills and experience.
  • Students suggest various types of portfolio items like photos or design sketches.
  • Students recognize the importance of teamwork and professionalism.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Guide students to list their technical theatre experiences, skills, and projects. Facilitate brainstorming of portfolio items they can include.

Student Activity

Students create a draft list of resume entries and potential portfolio contents based on their past work or class projects.

Explanation

This activity helps students organize their experiences and consider how to represent them effectively in professional documents.

Examples

  • Students produce detailed lists of roles and skills.
  • Students identify tangible work samples for portfolios.
  • Students begin drafting clear descriptions of their work.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Explain the structure and formatting of resumes and portfolios. Discuss professional behavior expectations during live performances and how to reflect on creative growth.

Student Activity

Students take notes on resume and portfolio guidelines and professional conduct. They reflect on their own behavior and creative contributions in technical theatre.

Explanation

Clear instruction on document construction and professional standards equips students to create effective resumes and portfolios and understand their role in productions.

Examples

  • Students note formatting tips and content organization.
  • Students list examples of appropriate professional behaviors.
  • Students articulate criteria for self-evaluation.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Support students as they draft their resumes and assemble portfolio items. Facilitate peer review sessions to provide constructive feedback.

Student Activity

Students create resume drafts and compile portfolio samples. They exchange work with peers for review and suggestions.

Explanation

Applying the concepts through creation and peer feedback deepens understanding and improves the quality of students' professional materials.

Examples

  • Students produce polished resume drafts.
  • Portfolios include diverse and well-described work samples.
  • Students engage in constructive peer discussions.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Ask students to present their resumes and portfolios and explain their professional behavior understanding and self-evaluation.

Student Activity

Students share their completed resumes and portfolios and discuss how they demonstrate their skills and growth.

Explanation

Presenting and articulating their work confirms students' mastery of professional documentation and self-reflection in technical theatre.

Examples

  • Students confidently explain their resumes and portfolios.
  • Students identify strengths in their work samples.
  • Students reflect thoughtfully on their creative development.

Classroom Activity

Students create a draft list of resume entries and potential portfolio contents based on their past work or class projects.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

What is the main purpose of a resume in technical theatre?

Teacher Answer Guide

To summarize a person's skills, experiences, and roles related to technical theatre work for professional presentation.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

List three types of work samples that could be included in a technical theatre portfolio.

Teacher Answer Guide

Photographs of set designs, lighting plots, and costume sketches.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

How should a student describe their role on a resume to make it clear and professional?

Teacher Answer Guide

By stating the job title, the production or project name, the date, and specific responsibilities or tasks performed.

Guided Practice 4

Prompt

Explain how demonstrating appropriate behavior as technical staff during a live performance can impact the success of the production.

Teacher Answer Guide

Appropriate behavior such as punctuality, communication, and teamwork ensures smooth operation, safety, and coordination, which contribute to a successful performance.

Guided Practice 5

Prompt

Reflect on your own technical theatre work and describe how applying design and technical elements has influenced your growth as a creative individual.

Teacher Answer Guide

Students should discuss specific examples of how engaging with design or technical tasks challenged them creatively, helped them solve problems, or enhanced their understanding of theatre as an art form.

Independent Practice

  1. Foundational: What is the main purpose of a resume in technical theatre?
  2. Developing: List three types of work samples that could be included in a technical theatre portfolio.
  3. Application: How should a student describe their role on a resume to make it clear and professional?
  4. Analysis: Explain how demonstrating appropriate behavior as technical staff during a live performance can impact the success of the production.
  5. Challenge: Reflect on your own technical theatre work and describe how applying design and technical elements has influenced your growth as a creative individual.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

  1. 1. To summarize a person's skills, experiences, and roles related to technical theatre work for professional presentation.
  2. 2. Photographs of set designs, lighting plots, and costume sketches.
  3. 3. By stating the job title, the production or project name, the date, and specific responsibilities or tasks performed.
  4. 4. Appropriate behavior such as punctuality, communication, and teamwork ensures smooth operation, safety, and coordination, which contribute to a successful performance.
  5. 5. Students should discuss specific examples of how engaging with design or technical tasks challenged them creatively, helped them solve problems, or enhanced their understanding of theatre as an art form.

Guiding Questions

  • Why is it important to have a resume and portfolio in technical theatre?
  • What experiences and skills should you include?
  • How do professional behaviors affect live theatre productions?
  • What design and technical elements have you applied in your work?
  • How can you evaluate your growth as a creative artist?

Common Misconceptions

  • A resume should include every single theatre experience regardless of relevance or quality.
  • A portfolio only needs to contain photos without explanations or reflections.
  • Professional behavior is only important for actors, not technical staff.
  • Self-evaluation is about rating yourself as better than others rather than honest reflection.

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide resume and portfolio templates to guide organization. Offer one-on-one support during drafting phases. Use checklists to help students include all required components.

English-Language Learner Support

Use visuals and examples to explain resume and portfolio terms. Provide sentence starters for describing roles and responsibilities. Encourage peer collaboration to practice professional vocabulary.

Advanced and Extension

Challenge students to create digital portfolios with multimedia elements. Encourage detailed reflective writing on creative growth. Have students research professional technical theatre resumes and compare formats.

Assessment

  • Observe students listing their technical theatre experiences and skills.
  • Review draft resumes and portfolios for completeness and clarity.
  • Listen to student reflections on professional behavior and creative growth.
  • Write one key element that should be included on a technical theatre resume.
  • Name two types of work samples suitable for a technical theatre portfolio.
  • Describe one professional behavior important for technical staff during live performances.
  • Submit a completed resume and portfolio for evaluation.
  • Present and explain your resume and portfolio to the class.
  • Write a self-evaluation on how applying technical theatre elements has influenced your creativity.

Answer Guide

  • What is the main purpose of a resume in technical theatre?
    Answer: To summarize a person's skills, experiences, and roles related to technical theatre work for professional presentation.
  • List three types of work samples that could be included in a technical theatre portfolio.
    Answer: Photographs of set designs, lighting plots, and costume sketches.
  • How should a student describe their role on a resume to make it clear and professional?
    Answer: By stating the job title, the production or project name, the date, and specific responsibilities or tasks performed.
  • Explain how demonstrating appropriate behavior as technical staff during a live performance can impact the success of the production.
    Answer: Appropriate behavior such as punctuality, communication, and teamwork ensures smooth operation, safety, and coordination, which contribute to a successful performance.
  • Reflect on your own technical theatre work and describe how applying design and technical elements has influenced your growth as a creative individual.
    Answer: Students should discuss specific examples of how engaging with design or technical tasks challenged them creatively, helped them solve problems, or enhanced their understanding of theatre as an art form.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to interview a family member or friend who works in a technical field about how they present their skills and experiences professionally, then relate this to their own resume and portfolio development.

Homework or Home Connection

  • Encourage students to interview a family member or friend who works in a technical field about how they present their skills and experiences professionally, then relate this to their own resume and portfolio development.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learn to create professional resumes and portfolios that showcase their technical theatre skills and experiences. They also explore the importance of appropriate professional behavior during live performances and reflect on their creative growth by applying theatre design and technical elements. These skills prepare students for future opportunities in theatre production and help them present themselves confidently as creative technical artists.

Teacher Notes

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

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