Models for drama/theatre education in the secondary schools of British Columbia

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1982

Authors

Johnston, Denis

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Abstract

This thesis describes seven models for educational dra­ma that may be found in secondary school drama programmes in British Columbia. Each model has been named after its most famous practitioner, except for the School Play which is not strongly associated with any one person. A chapter devoted to each model describes its background and its distinguishing features, and summarizes its practice and effects in today's schools. The models described in this way are: 1. The Ward Model - rehearsals for unscripted plays based on stories provided by the teacher. 2. The Slade Model - free form play under the benign guidance of a sympathetic leader. 3. The Way Model - whole group exercises designed to develop empathetic sensitivity. 4. The Spolin Model - exercises and theatre games designed to develop theatrical acting skills. 5. The School Play - an imitation of adult forms of theatre. 6. The Moffett Model - diverse dramatic activity to develop increased personal response to literature and improved communications skills. 7. The Heathcote Model - diverse dramatic activity as a social method of intellectual and intuitive learning. Since the models have been chosen because of their particular importance to educational drama in British Columbia, the final chapters contain an overview of the history of school drama in this province. Topic include the first school plays, early administrators of school and community drama, the rise of provincial festivals and teacher organizations, and successive authorized drama curricula. Since personality plays a major role in drama teaching, there is also some biographical information on some of the pioneers in the promotion of drama in our schools.

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