The lessons in the Performing Arts in Art Curriculum explore works of art that depict subjects related to music, storytelling, dance, and theater. Lessons in this interdisciplinary curriculum engage students in diverse topics in the disciplines of visual art, performing arts, history, and language arts.

Beginning-level activities address elementary school standards, intermediate activities address middle school standards, and advanced activities address high school standards. However, middle and high school teachers can use less advanced activities in warm-up discussions or to review basic principles.

Lessons 10-12 of 12

The Art and Influence of Theater (Beginning Level)
Grades/Level: Lower Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5)
Subjects: Visual Arts, Theater
Lesson Overview: Students will examine and discuss an ancient Greek statuette depicting a comic actor and an ancient Roman lamp decorated with a comic theater mask. Students will learn about stock characters and create comic masks for characters. They will work in teams to pantomime a short scene while wearing their masks.

The Art and Influence of Theater (Intermediate Level)
Grades/Level: Middle School (6–8)
Subjects: Visual Arts, Theater
Lesson Overview: Students will examine and discuss an ancient Roman incense burner and an ancient Greek statuette, both depicting comic actors, and an ancient Roman lamp decorated with a comic theater mask. They will learn how to play the improvisational games "What Are You Doing?" and "Freeze." They will then create costume props to develop a character.

The Art and Influence of Theater (Advanced Level)
Grades/Level: High School (9–12)
Subjects: Visual Arts, Theater
Lesson Overview: Students will examine an 18th-century drawing depicting a scene with a comic actor named Punchinello from Italian theater. They will collaboratively produce a skit based on the drawing. Students will individually create a drawing to be used in an advertising campaign for a theater production.

Lessons 10-12 of 12