Evaluate and practice appropriate audience behavior at various types of performances

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.117.318.05A primary
  evaluate and practice appropriate audience behavior at various types of performances;
• TEKS.117.318.05B primary
  defend theatre as an art form and value self as a creative being;
• TEKS.117.318.05C primary
  apply evaluation concepts to performances, and compare and contrast literary and dramatic criticism of theatre, film, television, or other media;

Lesson Overview

This Grade 12 theatre lesson focuses on helping students evaluate and practice appropriate audience behavior at various types of performances. Students will also defend theatre as an art form and value themselves as creative beings. Additionally, they will apply evaluation concepts to performances and compare and contrast literary and dramatic criticism across theatre, film, television, and other media. The lesson incorporates direct teaching, guided practice, role play, and reflection to develop critical evaluation and response skills in theatre.

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate and practice appropriate audience behavior at various types of performances.
• Defend theatre as an art form and value self as a creative being.
• Apply evaluation concepts to performances, and compare and contrast literary and dramatic criticism of theatre, film, television, or other media.

Success Criteria

• Students can identify and demonstrate appropriate audience behaviors for different types of performances.
• Students can articulate reasons why theatre is a valuable art form and explain their own creative contributions.
• Students can apply evaluation concepts to a performance and compare literary and dramatic criticism across media with specific examples.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have basic understanding of theatre performance elements and experience attending or viewing live or recorded performances.

Key Vocabulary

• Audience behavior
• Theatre as an art form
• Creative being
• Evaluation concepts
• Literary criticism
• Dramatic criticism
• Performance types

Materials and Resources

• Video clips or recordings of various performance types (e.g., drama, musical, film, television)
• Handouts with audience etiquette guidelines
• Examples of literary and dramatic criticism excerpts
• Writing materials for reflection and evaluation

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare examples of appropriate and inappropriate audience behaviors for discussion and role play.
• Select performance excerpts for evaluation activities.
• Prepare handouts summarizing key concepts of audience behavior and criticism.
• Plan role play scenarios to practice audience behavior.
• Prepare guiding questions for reflection and discussion.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Appropriate Audience Behavior

Audience behavior refers to the actions and reactions of people watching a performance. Appropriate behavior varies depending on the type of performance (e.g., live theatre, musical, film screening, television broadcast). For live theatre, behaviors such as silence during scenes, applause at appropriate moments, and respectful attention are expected. In contrast, film or television viewing may allow for more relaxed behavior but still requires respect for others' viewing experience. Understanding these expectations helps maintain the integrity of the performance and respect for performers and fellow audience members.

Defending Theatre as an Art Form and Valuing Self as a Creative Being

Theatre is a unique art form that combines storytelling, performance, design, and live interaction. Defending theatre involves recognizing its cultural, educational, and emotional value. Students should reflect on how theatre allows creative expression and fosters empathy and critical thinking. Valuing self as a creative being means acknowledging one's own ability to contribute creatively, whether as a performer, designer, critic, or audience member. This self-value encourages active participation and appreciation of theatre arts.

Applying Evaluation Concepts to Performances

Evaluation concepts include observing and analyzing elements such as acting, directing, design, and technical aspects. Students learn to use precise and specific vocabulary to describe what they see and hear. Comparing and contrasting literary and dramatic criticism involves examining how critics interpret scripts, performances, and productions differently across media like theatre, film, and television. This comparison helps students understand multiple perspectives and deepen their critical response skills.

Role Play and Practice of Audience Behavior

Role play activities allow students to practice appropriate audience behaviors in simulated performance settings. For example, students can act as audience members during a short scene and demonstrate when to applaud, remain silent, or respond appropriately. This hands-on practice reinforces understanding and prepares students for real performance attendance. Teachers should provide feedback and encourage reflection on how behavior affects the performance experience for all involved.

Reflection and Constructive Feedback

After viewing or participating in performances, students should reflect on their own and others' audience behavior and evaluation responses. Constructive feedback focuses on specific observations and suggestions for improvement. This process helps students develop critical thinking and communication skills, and fosters a respectful learning environment. Reflection also supports valuing theatre as an art form and recognizing personal creative growth.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Students observe and analyze audience behavior in the clips, noting positive and negative examples.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What is one example of appropriate audience behavior during a live theatre performance?
2. Developing: Why is it important to value yourself as a creative being when attending or participating in theatre?
3. Application: Compare audience behavior expectations between a live theatre performance and a film screening. What are two differences?
4. Analysis: Given two excerpts of criticism—one literary criticism of a play's script and one dramatic criticism of a film's performance—how would you compare their focus and purpose?
5. Challenge: After attending a musical theatre performance where some audience members were disruptive, write a brief evaluation that includes your observations of audience behavior, its impact on the performance, and your personal reflection as a creative participant.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Remaining silent during the performance to avoid distracting the actors and other audience members.
2. 2. Valuing yourself as a creative being encourages active participation, appreciation of theatre, and confidence in expressing your own ideas and responses.
3. 3. In live theatre, audience members are expected to remain silent and applaud at appropriate moments, while in film screenings, there may be more relaxed behavior but still respect for others' viewing. Also, phone use is generally unacceptable in live theatre but sometimes tolerated in film screenings depending on context.
4. 4. Literary criticism focuses on analyzing the script's text, themes, and structure, while dramatic criticism evaluates the performance elements like acting, directing, and design. Both aim to interpret and assess the work but from different perspectives.
5. 5. An effective evaluation would describe specific disruptive behaviors (e.g., talking, phone use), explain how these distracted performers and affected the overall experience, and reflect on the writer's role in promoting respectful audience behavior and valuing the creative process.

Guiding Questions

• What behaviors show respect for performers and audience?
• How does theatre as a live art form affect audience expectations?
• Why is it important to evaluate performances critically?
• How can you contribute creatively as an audience member?
• What differences exist between theatre criticism and film criticism?

Common Misconceptions

• Audience behavior is the same for all types of performances regardless of context.
• Theatre is just entertainment and does not require critical evaluation or personal creative value.
• Criticism of theatre and film are identical and do not differ in focus or vocabulary.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in discussions and role plays to assess understanding of audience behavior.
• Review notes taken on audience etiquette and theatre value.
• Check student analysis of criticism excerpts for comprehension.
• Write one example of appropriate audience behavior and explain why it is important.
• Describe how you see yourself as a creative being in theatre.
• List one difference between literary and dramatic criticism.
• Write a detailed evaluation of a recent performance including audience behavior and personal creative reflection.
• Compare and contrast two types of criticism with examples from theatre and film.
• Defend theatre as an art form in a short essay.

Answer Guide

• What is one example of appropriate audience behavior during a live theatre performance?
  Answer: Remaining silent during the performance to avoid distracting the actors and other audience members.
• Why is it important to value yourself as a creative being when attending or participating in theatre?
  Answer: Valuing yourself as a creative being encourages active participation, appreciation of theatre, and confidence in expressing your own ideas and responses.
• Compare audience behavior expectations between a live theatre performance and a film screening. What are two differences?
  Answer: In live theatre, audience members are expected to remain silent and applaud at appropriate moments, while in film screenings, there may be more relaxed behavior but still respect for others' viewing. Also, phone use is generally unacceptable in live theatre but sometimes tolerated in film screenings depending on context.
• Given two excerpts of criticism—one literary criticism of a play's script and one dramatic criticism of a film's performance—how would you compare their focus and purpose?
  Answer: Literary criticism focuses on analyzing the script's text, themes, and structure, while dramatic criticism evaluates the performance elements like acting, directing, and design. Both aim to interpret and assess the work but from different perspectives.
• After attending a musical theatre performance where some audience members were disruptive, write a brief evaluation that includes your observations of audience behavior, its impact on the performance, and your personal reflection as a creative participant.
  Answer: An effective evaluation would describe specific disruptive behaviors (e.g., talking, phone use), explain how these distracted performers and affected the overall experience, and reflect on the writer's role in promoting respectful audience behavior and valuing the creative process.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to attend a local performance with family or friends and observe audience behavior. Have them discuss with family members how audience etiquette affects their enjoyment and respect for the art form.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to attend a local performance with family or friends and observe audience behavior. Have them discuss with family members how audience etiquette affects their enjoyment and respect for the art form.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learned to evaluate and practice appropriate audience behavior across various performance types, defend theatre as a valuable art form, and apply evaluation concepts to performances. Through observation, role play, and critical analysis, students developed skills to respond thoughtfully and respectfully as audience members and creative participants in theatre.

Teacher Notes

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

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