A Basic Assessment

for Individual Acting

Many academic teachers use drama to enhance content area learning. Students might write plays or skits, write and perform commericals or public service announcements, stage debates or classroom tirals. The following was written at the request of academic teachers in my building who wanted some simple guidelines for assessing students in class room dramatics.

Did the audience understand it?

1. Voice

   A.  Projection  (audibility)

   B.  Articulation (clarity)

 

2.  Body

     A.  Face is visible most of the time

     B.   Body is turned out most of the time and is not hidden behind other actors or scenery.

   

Did the audience believe it?

1.  Physicalization (the ability to portray a character using voice and body)

A.  Voice is appropriate and remains consistent for the character played.

B.   Body (posture, walk, gestures) is appropriate for the character and is maintained

throughout the performance.

2.  Emotional Truth.

A.  Emotions resonate throughout the actor's body and voice.

B.  The actor appears to be "in the moment" of the play.

              

The following behaviors indicate that the actor is NOT in the moment:

     1.   Forgetting, racing through, or stumbling over lines.

     2.   Breaking character (the audience sees the actor not the character)

     3.   Fidgeting, not following the action, glancing off-stage or at the audience

                          when not part  of the action.