Integrating Theatre Arts into the Everyday Curriculum

Presented by:Annie Sisson Rezac

Director of EducationMetropolis Performing Arts Centre

Lake Forest College The Arts In The Learning Process

October 26, 2009

Theatre Arts is for Everyone

Students of all ages and interests benefit from being expressive and creative.

Brings students together to share a common language through the creative arts.

Theatre Arts Integration Alternative Lesson Strategies Learning Modes and Intelligences

Bodily Kinesthetic IntelligenceSpatial Intelligence

Ensemble and Socialization Self – Assessment and Emotional Literacy New Vocabulary New Lens for Interpretation Engaging of the Senses

6 Essential Senses To Flourish in a Global Market

Design Moving beyond function to engage the sense

Story Narrative added to products and services - not just argument

Symphony Adding invention and big picture thinking

Essential Senses Cont. Empathy Going beyond logic and

engaging emotion and intuition

Play Bringing humor and light-heartedness to product/service

Meaning The purpose is the journey, give meaning to life from inside yourself.

-A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

Global Perspective Inventory

Open mindednessCollaboration

Compassion Complex understanding of emotionsEmpathy

HumilityTaking RisksSelf attributes

Teachers Taking Risks• PE Teacher

• Administration• Students

• Other schools

The Warm Up

Warm ups: Suns and Raisins Zip Zap Zop Pass the Clap Pass the Impulse Shake Down Bippity Bippity Bop What are you doing Machine

Aesthetic Understanding (Greene)

Articulate what is noticed about a piece of theatre or a theatre exercise• Teachers• Students

“Enlightened Eye” – Elliot Eisner• Seeing• Hearing• Smelling• Feeling

Theatre ExplorationElements

Character

Environment

Relationship

Conflict

Theatre (Active)ExplorationForms

Improvisation

Creating Art

Script Work

Imperative Narrative• Pilot Program in D25

• Grades 6-8• Integrated into Language Arts Class

• Used all elements and Forms

Theatre integration into the classroom

Explorations through Freedom Train

Resources Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and

Student Academic and Social DevelopmentArts Education Partnership

Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning AEP and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Variations on a Blue Guitar Maxine Greene

Illinois Theatre Association ITA

American Alliance of Theatre Education AATE