Backstage Learning
Objectives: To develop an understanding of the backstage collaborative processes involved in bringing theatre to life, specifically, developing a character, designing props and costumes, and selecting music and sound effects. 

Now that much of the pre-production planning is in place, we can move forward with the extensive tasks of designing, developing and selecting elements that will enhance our theatre production. Actors begin developing their characters and skilled artists and craftspeople design and construct costumes, make-up, props, and scenery. Sound effects and music are also developed to support the performance. This takes a great deal of time, research, creativity and collaborative work on the part of many people in the cast and crew. 

In this lesson, students sample the processes and the decisions that are involved in creating props, selecting music and sound effects, making a costume rendering and developing a character that they will role play during a medieval festival at the conclusion of this unit. These are not trivial tasks. From these first-hand experiences of how a theatre production is achieved, students can better develop a spirit of cooperation, perseverance, self-esteem and self-discipline. All are vital proficiencies in making a contribution to life. 

The study of theatre also adds another tool to students’ repertoire of self-expression so that they can more fully participate in the richness of life. Whether making a presentation of momentous proportion or simply reading a bedtime story to a child, the ability to make effective drama lends inspiration to life.

In the following backstage learning experiences, students continue their research for their medieval festival production. What did the Middle Ages look like and, equally important, what did life in the Middle Ages feel like? What were the daily challenges medieval people faced to survive? What were their hopes? Students examine paintings, books and music from the period to help capture what it was like to live in the Middle Ages. Additional probing discussion questions are found in the Past and Present sections of each experience to further prompt students to consider what they have learned and to help answer just how did people live in other times and cultures, and what does this say about life and us today?

At the end of this lesson is an optional experience, a Bonus Huzzah, where students design, build and test catapults. Although this can be classified as an example of a special-effects prop, this experience is not necessarily critical for the understanding of theatre. What this experience does provide is a means of incorporating a science and math experience in an exciting thematic way that naturally makes use of students’ multiple intelligences.

Indiana Standards for 4th Grade that are addressed in Backstage Learning:

English/Language Arts Standard 5 - Writing: Writing Applications
Visual Arts Standard 9 - Creating Art: Production
Science Standard 1 - The Nature of Science and Technology
Math Standard 5 - Measurement
Music Standard 8 – Understanding music in relation to history and culture

English/Language Arts Standard 4 - Writing: Writing Process
Social Studies Standard 4 - Economics
Science Standard 1 - The Nature of Science and Technology
Math Standard 5 - Measurement
Music Standard 8 – Understanding music in relation to history and culture