T.E307

Constructing Meaning through Technical Choices

Students will select a scene from one of three plays and then construct meaning for the scene through the use of technical choices. Students will make decisions in four of six possible technical areas—lighting, sound, costumes, props, scenery, and vocal expression. The three plays are:

West Side Story—A musical in which a modern-day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the Upper West Side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang member falls in love with a rival’s sister.

A History of Messy Rooms—A companion play to the children’s book “Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?” by Wade Bradford.

Macbeth—The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be made Thane (a rank of Scottish nobility) of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Macbeth’s companion, Banquo, will beget a line of Scottish kings, although Banquo will never be king himself.

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Teacher Booklet

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Student Booklet

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This is an analytic rubric. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

TEACHER SCORING RUBRIC

  • Dimension

  • Scene and technical areas are selected.

  • Description of meanings, settings, and moods to be created are provided.

  • Ideas for using technology to achieve artistic goals are provided.

  • Meanings drawn from technical choices in four areas are described.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

  • Scene is selected. Only one technical area is addressed.

    N/A at this time.

  • Scene is selected. Two technical areas are addressed.

    N/A at this time.

  • Scene is selected. Three technical areas are addressed.

    N/A at this time.

  • Scene is selected. Four technical areas are addressed.

    N/A at this time.

  • Meager descriptions of meanings, settings, and moods are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Some description of meanings, settings, and moods are provided. Elements are missing.

    N/A at this time.

  • Good descriptions of meanings, settings, and moods are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Excellent descriptions of meanings, settings, and moods are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Few ideas are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Some ideas for using technology to achieve artistic goals are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Good ideas for using technology to achieve artistic goals are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Excellent ideas for using technology to achieve artistic goals are provided.

    N/A at this time.

  • Choices in technical areas do not indicate any discernable meaning.

    N/A at this time.

  • Choices in technical areas indicate some meaning but are not completely aligned.

    N/A at this time.

  • Choices in technical areas indicate competent meanings.

    N/A at this time.

  • Choices in technical areas indicate powerful meanings.

    N/A at this time.
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