Requirements:
Theater Skills by Rae’s Creations
Flower – Do all starred.
Triangle – Do 7 requirements including starred.
Circle – Do 9 requirements including starred.
Rectangle – Do 12 requirements including starred.
1. *Attend or watch a full-length play.
Write a review of the play.
Discuss the plot of story.
Comment on the acting and the staging.
More performers are incorporating technology into their presentations.
Watch the production and list the technology used in it.
Include the obvious workings of technology (lights, sound, fog) and the less obvious (acoustical materials, turn-tables, etc).
2. *Actors bring a play to life. Select a monologue from a play and perform it for an audience of friends.
OR
Act out a situation that happened at school. Assign each girl in your group a part, change roles and see what happens.
3. Become a theater critic. Attend three types of plays and write a review for each. Try to get your reviews published - or publish them yourself on the WWW.
4. Discuss the safety precautions that should be practiced when working in a theater that protect the cast and crew. Do three of the following:
a. Perform a major part in a full-length play.
b. Direct a play. Help to cast, rehearse, and stage the play. The play must be at least ten minutes long.
c. Help design the set for a play. Make a model of it.
d. Help design the costumes for five characters in a play set in Victorian Times.
e. Show your skill in hair and makeup design. Make up a friend as an historical figure, a clown, an extraterrestrial, or a monster.
f. Help with the building and painting of the scenery for a play.
g. Help design the lighting for a play. Learn how to install, focus, color, program, and operate the lighting for a play.
h. Help install, focus, equalize, program, and operate the sound for a play.
i. Serve as the stage manager for a play. Document all cues and stage setups in your calling script.
5. *What do teachers and performers have in common? Talk with teachers at three different grade levels and find out how they use performing techniques in their daily teaching.
6. What qualities does a good speaker need to be in command of an audience? Make a chart illustrating three to five skills needed to be a good speaker. Are these qualities you already possess or qualities you would like to develop?
7. Learn about different types of stages. Which one is better for a small cast? For a big musical comedy? For a drama? Why? Explain your reasons.
8. Learn about stage lights. Talk to a theater designer, if possible. Identify the different types of lights. Find out which lights are used for what type of effect? How do they operate? What is the purpose of lighting ""gels""?
9. *Pick or write your own play and create a set design and lighting design for the play. Talk to a theater designer, if possible. Present your scene and lighting design to your group. Discuss what you have done with your group.
10. *Snow begins to fall! Fog starts rolling in! Pick three special effects and find out how each one is done.
11. Find out if you have a local community theater. Volunteer as a gofer, ticket person, usher or program writer for one production. Make a commitment for at least two weeks.
12. Work with a day-care center or the children’s wing of a hospital near you. Introduce the children to the theater. Display your scene and lighting design for the children to see. Explain to them the purpose of each part. Work with your friends and put on a short play for the children.
13. Volunteer to tape record plays and books at your local Light-House or Guild for the Blind. Organize others to do recordings as well.
14. Interview one professional, amateur or ""behind-the-scenes"" performer from each group shown below. Ask about training, challenges encountered, availability of work and any advice they would give someone starting out.
Pre-Production – Group A
These positions are responsible for the development of a production from initial inception till performance.
Stage Manager, Producer, Director, Playwright, Scenic Designer, Lighting Designer, Costume Designer, Set Designer, Sound Designer, Property Master, Production Manager, Technical Director, Show Control Designer, Choreographer, Makeup Designer, Actor, Conductor or Music Director.
Production – Group B
These positions are responsible for the fabrication of a production prior to the initial performance.
Actor, Backstage, Carpenter and Master Carpenter, Charge Artist, Electrician, Front of House, Master Electrician, Paint Crew, Playbill Writer, Publicist, Scenic Artist, Stage Manager, Theatrical Technician, Technical Director, Stagehands or Wardrobe Supervisor.
Theatre Staff – Group C
These staff members are responsible for running a theatre group from year to year.
Artistic Director, Managing Director or General Manager, Director of Production, Technical Director, Costume Director, Marketing Director, Director of Public Relations, Director of Audience Services, Director of Development, Director of Special Events, Dramaturg, Literary Manager, Company Manager, House Manager, Usher, Ticketing Agent, Crew Chief, Janitor, Dresser, Stage Crew, Grips or Call Boy.
15. Read or watch a biography/autobiography of a famous performer. How did she succeed? Could you succeed in the same manner now? Why or why not. Did she overcome any obstacles?
16. Look through college catalogs and find at least five schools with good drama programs. Compare costs, distance, as well as entrance & graduation requirements. Create a resource for students in your school who are interested.