Teacher Facilitation Guide

Program Overview
From Dance to Drama is a research-based curriculum that focuses on the performance arts of dance and theater. Students view video interview segments featuring successful dancers, choreographers, and theatrical directors. These interviews serve as a springboard for students' own research. A list of online resources is provided to support student research.

Viewing/Facilitation Strategies

Introduce the Dance and Drama topic and video segments. Ask students to share examples of their current knowledge, experiences, and questions related to these performing arts.
View the video segments as a class, in small groups, or individually.
Facilitate student selection of one of the research projects listed below which fits their interests and grade level.

Research Project Overview

Grades 4-6

Student Academic Standards

Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning
Students understand dance in various cultures and historical periods.
Students understand connections between dance and healthful living.
Students understand movement elements and choreographic principles in designing and performing dance.
Students understand how informal and formal theatre productions create and communicate meaning.
Students understand the context in which performing arts are performed today as well as in the past.
Students know how to gather and use information for research purposes.
Students understand how to make multimedia presentations using text, images, and sound.

Projects and Investigations:

Ballet Training Project
Suzanne Farrell said that dancing is "getting into the body emotionally as well as physically." Twyla Tharp talks about the benefits of learning about your body and becoming powerfully trained through the discipline of dance. Ballet performed is dynamic and beautiful - able to powerfully communicate story, emotions, and ideas to audiences. Yet, people who have no intention of dancing professionally, from football players to clerks at desk jobs, also sign up to take classes in ballet because of the benefits it provides physically. Read the complete interviews of Suzanne Farrell and Twyla Tharp in the Gallery of Arts to learn more about dance training. Research ballet technique and the physical challenges and benefits of this discipline. Develop a brochure that introduces students to the physical training program ballet or dance can offer them.

Commitment and Risk: Theatrical Profile
Interviewees Lloyd Richards and Trevor Nunn describe their love of theater, the risks inherent in embarking on a theatrical career, and the importance of commitment and hard work. Lloyd Richards states, "there is substitute to commitment" for a young actor or director trying to follow their theatrical dreams. They must be true to their belief in themselves. It is not an easy profession. Research the life of an actor or director who works in live stage theater rather than film or television. It might be someone who is well-known in your local area rather than nationally. Use your information to develop an online magazine article profiling this successful artist. Describe their commitment and dedication to their art. What made them continue to take risks and persevere in the face of?

Grades 7-9

Student Academic Standards

Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning
Students understand dance in various cultures and historical periods.
Students understand connections between dance and healthful living.
Students understand movement elements and choreographic principles in designing and performing dance.
Students understand how informal and formal theatre productions create and communicate meaning.
Students understand the context in which performing arts are performed today as well as in the past.
Students know how to gather and use information for research purposes.
Students understand how to make multimedia presentations using text, images, and sound.

Projects and Investigations:

Dance Kaleidoscope
Suzanne Farrell is a famous ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Twyla Tharp is a contemporary leader in modern dance with her own nationally touring company. Ballet and modern dance are two different very different areas of dance training and expression. There are many forms of dance including jazz, tap, folk/ethnic, hip hop, ballroom and more. Think about all the different forms of dance that you have seen performed or danced yourself. What type of dance has the most appeal to you? Research the various forms of performance dance. Develop a storyboard and content outline for a Dance Kaleidoscope web site designed to introduce students to at least three different forms or styles of dance.

Theatrical Technique and Talent
Having a successful career in theater requires a combination of training, understanding of technique, and talent. It is the same in for any art form. Director, Lloyd Richards describes having "an easel, a brush in hand, and a palette of colors" but without any knowledge and experience in painting technique, he isn't able to transfer his visual ideas onto a canvas. What careers are available in theater? What are the techniques, training, and tools required for each career path? Research three different theatrical careers. Develop an interactive chart that describes each career and the techniques, training, and tools required for each option.

Grades 9-12

Student Academic Standards

Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning
Students understand dance in various cultures and historical periods.
Students understand connections between dance and healthful living.
Students understand movement elements and choreographic principles in designing and performing dance.
Students understand how informal and formal theatre productions create and communicate meaning.
Students understand the context in which performing arts are performed today as well as in the past.
Students know how to gather and use information for research purposes.
Students understand how to make multimedia presentations using text, images, and sound.

Projects and Investigations:

Choreographer Profile
Twyla Tharp is both a choreographer and dancer. A choreographer designs and crafts dances. The choreographer teaches the movements to dancers and stages the work for performance. In her interview Tharp describes the role of both improvisation and tradition in the art of setting dances. As an innovative cutting-edge choreographer she has often pushed dancers and audiences into new areas of movement. She maintains that "in and of itself, breaking rules is not an art." But building from existing rules and moving in and out of tradition is the work of choreography. Research Twyla Tharp or another innovative choreographer for stage, film or music video. What elements of movement, sound, costume, and set do they manipulate as they set a work? Create a multimedia presentation about the role of the choreographer that includes a profile of the work of a choreographer you admire.

Freedom of Expression
Lloyd Richards, Tony award-winning director, describes freedom of expression as one of the "most precious things that is never totally won." Go to the Gallery of Arts and read Lloyd Richard's complete interview. What did Richards experience in his own theatrical career teach him about freedom of expression? Why is this issue important to him and to other theatrical artists? Research the history of theater. Identify either a historical or current issue that is related to freedom of expression. In an interactive report, identify the issue and describe the economic, social, religious, and cultural factors that contribute to it.

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