Prerequisite Knowledge
- This is an excellent introductory unit for new and/or experienced junior drama students, as it teaches many of the basic dramatic forms, such as Tableaux and Choral Speaking.
- A video of a demonstration classroom featuring this unit of study can accessed here.
Focus
Students learn about the history of Greek theatre, with specific focus on the conventions of the Greek chorus, ritual and choral speaking. Using many of these techniques, students explore the story of Persephone, who was kidnapped from her parents Zeus and Demeter by Hades and taken to the Underworld to be his wife. Students learn and use various dramatic forms such as Tableaux, Thought-tracking and Choral Speaking and use these devices in telling their own myths.
In this unit, students will
- identify and describe a variety of dramatic forms (e.g., tableau, storytelling, improvisation);
- demonstrate effective communication skills, such as listening and speaking, both in and out of role;
- interpret a variety of global sources (e.g., stories, photographs, music), using a wide range of dramatic forms (e.g., improvisation, storytelling);
- demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of role playing.
Materials and Resources:
Special Notes:
- This unit was originally developed and implemented by Tamsin Kelsey, Kim Snider and Stephen Wei as part of the Grade 9 Dramatic Arts course at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts.
- This process drama is adaptable to any myth, such as Pandora. Students at a higher experience level may wish to create their own original myths rather than interpreting ones that already exist for the final summative evaluation.
