ADA1OY Enriched Drama

Choral Scripts Assignment

LEARNING GOALS:
To use Choral techniques, style and elements to tell a story and show character
To use a variety of conventions to develop character and shape the action in ensemble drama presentations
To use a variety of expressive voice and movement techniques to support the depiction of character.
TASKS: Create a choral reading/speaking performance that reveals the important events, characters, and
subtext of your assigned script/selection while informing and entertaining an audience with your
reading/speaking skills, creativity, and general brilliance.
1. Each group will be given a script/selection to showcase choral techniques.
2. The existing script must be presented as is in Choral Format, but a unique beginning and end can be
created to set tone and background.
3. Your Choral Reading choices must make clear the importance (subtext and inference) of the script you
have been assigned. You must relate the important events, characters, and analysis of your assigned
script in a clear, creative way.
4. Consider adding dramatic pauses, voice characterization and variety during the choral section.
5. You should incorporate creative movement, gestures, and physicality to enhance the dramatic narrative.
6. Each performer should consider whether costumes, props, music or other enhancements are appropriate
for the material being presented. Be creative.
7. You must hand in a modified script (with added or modified sections) that will include the type of choral
reading you are doing per word, line, phrase or selection. ie. 5-10 are read in unison; 11-13 alternate
John and Alex read; etc.
8. You must work together well as a team and use class time wisely.
9. Practice for choral work is crucial for your success.
SUCCESS CRITERIA:
Devise a clear and effective story (modified script included)
Include notes on the type of choral reading you are doing per line or section.
Cut up the script into sections to emphasize lines, phrases, or words, and to build to dramatic climaxes.
Plan who will read which lines, phrases, and individual words.
Create phonal and anti-phonal effects by assigning lines to voices that come from different locations.
Stage the arrangement of the readers throughout the reading
Incorporate creative dramatic techniques
Choral techniques include one voice, variety, pacing, tempo, rhythm, pitch, tone and power
Use creative movement and choreography to emphasize lines or words.
Synchronize movements and readings so there is no interruption or hesitation in the vocal unison.
Memorize script to be thoroughly familiar with entire selection
Rehearse extensively and be on task at all times
Production elements/enhancements considered (costume, music, lighting)

Choral Scripts Rubric

CATEGORY

LEVEL 4
EXCELLENT
Excellent staging for max
performance effect; enhances
the mood and thoroughly
showcases creative
interpretation of script.

LEVEL 3
AT LEVEL
Good staging to maximize
performance for viewing;
highlights the mood and
creative interpretation of the
script

LEVEL 2
APPROACHING LEVEL
Some staging to enhance
performance effect; some
highlights of mood and
creative interpretation

LEVEL 1
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Limited staging to enhance
performance; very little
done to highlight creative
interpretation/mood

Demonstrates thorough
knowledge and understanding
of a variety of techniques

Demonstrates good
knowledge/understanding
of a variety of techniques

Demonstrates some
knowledge/understanding
of a variety of techniques

Demonstrates limited
knowledge/understanding
of a variety of techniques

Script is thoroughly
memorized; extensive
familiarity with selection
Exceeds expectations in terms
of adapting the existing script
to the purpose of performance
and the characters in it.
Thoroughly labeled sections
by divisions in the script.

Script is mostly memorized,

good familiarity with
selection
Meets expectations in terms
of adapting the existing
script to the purpose of the
performance and characters.
Script includes labeled
divisions.

Some issues with

memorization; some
familiarity with script
Meets some expectations in
terms of adapting existing
script to the purpose of the
performance and characters.
Script includes some
labeled divisions.

Script not memorized/huge

gaps in memorization;
selection is not well known
Meets few/no expectations
in terms of adapting
existing script to purpose of
performance and characters.
Script does not include
labeled divisions.

Rehearsal C3.2
(focus; cooperation;
leadership, etc.)

Exceeds expectations in
focus, teamwork and
leadership; on task at all times
and contributes significantly

Meets some expectations in

focus, teamwork and
leadership; not always on
task; some contributions

Meets few/no expectations

in focus, teamwork and
leadership; limited time on
task/contributions

COMMUNICATION
Choral Delivery/
Rhythm/Phrasing
A2.2

Exceeds expectations in terms

of: group vocal variety,
combining successfully all
voices in chorus, & ability to
use phrasing and rhythm as
reinforcements for each other

Meets expectations in
focus, teamwork and
leadership; on task most of
the time; good contributions
overall
Meets expectations in terms
of: vocal variety, combining
all voices in chorus; &
ability to use phrasing and
rhythm as reinforcements
for each other

Meets some expectations:

vocal variety, combining all
voices in chorus; & ability
to use phrasing and rhythm
as reinforcements for each
other

Meets few/no expectations:

vocal variety, combining all
voices in chorus; & ability
to use phrasing and rhythm
as reinforcements for each
other

Volume & Clarity

A3.2

Excellent projection & clarity,

clearly enunciated for fluency

Student spoke clearly, could

be heard by all audience

Some issues with projection

and/or clarity and fluency

Limited volume; words not

clear and enunciated

Voice quality A3.2

(pitch, inflection, tone)

Excellent modulation of
pitch, inflection and tone to
express the dynamic content
and feeling of the script

Good variety in pitch,

inflection and tone to show
the feeling and meaning of
the script.

Some variety in pitch,

inflection and tone; voice
needs more expression/
emotional range

No variety in pitch,
inflection and tone;
meaning and feeling of
script is lacking

Bodily movement
A3.2

Uses gesture, choreography

or other movement in a highly
effective manner to enhance
communication and better
express meaning
Extremely creative
interpretation of the script;
shows great imagination,
insight, style, and daring;
audience is highly responsive

Uses gesture, & movement

in an effective manner to
enhance communication
and better express meaning

Limited use of gestures or

movement to enhance
communication & express
meaning; lacks physicality

The work is creative; ideas

used effectively engage the
audience; imaginative
touches throughout

Some gestures/movement
used to enhance
communication & express
meaning; more physicality
needed.
Work is somewhat creative;
has some spark and style;
needs more imaginative
touches and interpretation

Group unison C3.2

All movements and readings

are thoroughly synchronized;
group works as one with no
interruption or hesitation

Most movements and

readings are synchronized;
group works as one for the
most the part

Some movements and

readings are synchronized;
group falters somewhat in
cohesion and unity

Movements and readings

are not synchronized; little/
no unity or cohesion at all

Production elements

Applies a variety of elements

Applies elements to

Applies some elements to

Applies limited elements to

KNOWLEDGE
Staging Principles
A2.2 (organize/position
the chorus for max.
performance effect)
Choral Reading
Techniques A3.1
(unison, anti-phonal,
refrain, solo, etc)

Memorization C1.3
(production practices)
THINKING
Modified Script B1.2
(add/modify script;
divide & label choral
sections)

APPLICATION
Creativity A1.1

Work is not creative;

lacking in vivid feelings and
ideas; has little
to say to an audience

(Sound/music, props,
costume) A3.3

Comments:

to enhance overall aspects of

performance (lighting, sound,
props, costumes)

enhance overall aspects of

performance (lighting,
sound, props, costumes)

enhance overall aspects of

performance (lighting,
sound, props, costumes)

enhance overall aspects of

performance (lighting,
sound, props, costumes)