Comprehensive Theater Rubric
The Artistic Showcase for this award will demonstrate excellence in three areas of theater from Sections A,B,C, and/or D. The
candidate will tailor the showcase to his or her areas of expertise. The Research Journal, Journal synopsis, and Interview are
required of all candidates.
Level 4 Exemplary
Communicates expressively
A. Acting: with voice and body,
Illuminates the life and world
Monologue, Scene of the character.
or Song Demonstrates exceptional
level of stage presence and
believability.
Excellent choice of scene
B. Directing, and cast.
Assistant Direction Original and creative
or Stage direction showing
Management: exceptional illumination of
the characters and world of
Monologue/Scene play.
Dynamic and believable
interaction between actors.
Actors demonstrate
excellent vocal dynamics.
Outstanding blocking and
stage pictures.
Communicates the voice of
C. Playwright or the playwright with
Dramaturg: originality.
Creates the life and world of
Annotated Script believable character/s.
Demonstrates an
exceptional level of fluency
with language and structure.
Level 3 Excellent Level 2 Good Level 1 Needs Attention
Communicates clearly Expresses the life and Inconsistent expression of
with voice and body, world of the character character.
expressing the life and with voice and body. Lacks vocal variety and
world of the character. physical involvement.
Demonstrates an Usually demonstrates Lacks presence and
appropriate level of presence and believability.
presence and believability.
believability.
Fine choice of scene Acceptable scene Ineffective scene choice
and cast. choice and cast. and/or cast.
Interesting direction Evidence of direction Lacks direction and does not
showing appropriate with good attempt to effectively convey characters
illumination of convey characters and and world of play.
characters and world of world of play. Actors do not play off each
play. Some interaction other.
Good interaction between actors. Actors do not project and
between actors. Actors can be heard and enunciate.
Actors demonstrate are usually clear.
good projection and Some blocking and Minimal blocking and stage
enunciation. stage pictures. pictures.
Good blocking and
stage pictures.
Communicates the voice Communicates. Communication is unclear.
of the playwright clearly.
Creates the life and Creates characters. Inconsistent expression of
world of character/s. character.
Demonstrates an Usually demonstrates Lacks control of language and
appropriate level of control of language and seems unstructured.
fluency with language structure.
and structure.
Technical Theater Demonstrates and
or Design: documents exceptional
expertise in one or more
Renderings/Sound areas of technical theater,
CD/Model/etc. design or backstage work.
Research Journal Well-articulated statement
of artistic vision.
Insightful analysis of each
area of theater.
Comprehensive research
materials, including
historical, cultural, and
ethical frameworks.
Journal Synopsis A concise, clear summary of
the research journal.
Well written, word-
processed, double-spaced,
spell-checked, and error-
free.
An indicator of scholarship
and deep understanding of
the areas of theater being
pursued.
Interview Insightful discussion of
involvement and goals in
theater.
Well-articulated description
of artistic vision and
process.
Responds with creative
ingenuity to questions.
Demonstrates strong Demonstrates mostly Fails to demonstrate technical
competence in one or satisfactory participation theater competency.
more areas of technical in technical, design, or
theater, design or backstage work.
backstage work.
Clear statement of Statement of artistic Artistic vision unclear.
artistic vision. vision.
Careful analysis of each Some analysis of each Limited analysis.
area of theater. area of theater.
Research materials Research materials Lacks research materials.
including historical, include scattered
cultural, and ethical historical, cultural, and
frameworks. ethical frameworks.
A good summary of the A summary of the Does not give a clear
research journal. research journal. summary of the journal.
Word-processed, Word-processed and Is word-processed.
double-spaced, spell- clearly written.
checked, and error-free.
Shows scholarship and Shows an Shows a limited understanding
a good understanding of understanding of areas of the areas of theater being
areas of theater being of theater being pursued.
pursued. pursued.
Good discussion of Some ability to discuss Limited discussion of
involvement and goals involvement and goals involvement and goals in
in theater. in theater. theater.
Fine description of Describes artistic vision Does not describe artistic
artistic vision and and process. vision or process.
process.
Responds clearly to Responds to questions. Does not respond clearly to
questions. questions.