Theatre is designed to give students opportunity to experience drama as a significant and rewarding activity and to enable students to demonstrate knowledge of the historical background of drama. The content includes, but is not limited to, recognition of the different genres of drama (tragedy, comedy, farce, melodrama, musical) and the elements of playwriting; use of oral communication skills such as appropriate voice levels, gestures, posture, and language; understanding of the importance of drama as a reflection of society; and recognition of drama as a self-rewarding activity that involves the identification of the unique worth of the individual, the motivation behind human behavior; and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
When dramatic performances are being prepared, rehearsed or produced, instructional activities ideally will be provided in a theatre, auditorium, or a room with a stage. When dramatic literature is being studied, instructional activities will be provided in a general classroom setting. Student activities and experiences will include, but will not be limited to, selecting and preparing material for a performance; rehearsing for a performance; performing for a class or public group; practicing character development, mime, solo, duet, and ensemble acting; participating in full-length plays; creating and applying makeup; building sets; stage managing and directing; managing props; selecting and creating costumes; voice-building and projection; and improving enunciation and pronunciation, control of body movement, and writing scripts for a production.