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Questions and Answers
Emotional condescension is considered an effective approach in directing for children.
Emotional condescension is considered an effective approach in directing for children.
False
Children rely largely on their visual perception rather than verbal communication.
Children rely largely on their visual perception rather than verbal communication.
True
A child's longer attention span allows them to enjoy plays with less variety.
A child's longer attention span allows them to enjoy plays with less variety.
False
Directors should ignore the artistic interests of different age levels when creating a production.
Directors should ignore the artistic interests of different age levels when creating a production.
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Stereotypical casting is discouraged as it hinders children's ability to identify with characters.
Stereotypical casting is discouraged as it hinders children's ability to identify with characters.
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Audience participation is only desirable if it creates a significant amount of noise.
Audience participation is only desirable if it creates a significant amount of noise.
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Elaborate scenery and costumes are necessary but must be managed to avoid overwhelming children's imagination.
Elaborate scenery and costumes are necessary but must be managed to avoid overwhelming children's imagination.
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Characters in children's plays should only reflect exaggerated traits to appeal to the audience.
Characters in children's plays should only reflect exaggerated traits to appeal to the audience.
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Actors in children's theatre should only consider the children's perspective for a successful performance.
Actors in children's theatre should only consider the children's perspective for a successful performance.
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The child audience's response is identical to that of the adult audience.
The child audience's response is identical to that of the adult audience.
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Children's theatre design does not contribute to the atmosphere of the play.
Children's theatre design does not contribute to the atmosphere of the play.
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Positive responses from an audience can be identified by their participation.
Positive responses from an audience can be identified by their participation.
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Children show no appreciation for elements of visual art in theatre such as color and form.
Children show no appreciation for elements of visual art in theatre such as color and form.
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Management in children's theatre is straightforward since children manage their own interests.
Management in children's theatre is straightforward since children manage their own interests.
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Negative responses from the audience can be identified by restlessness and physical discomfort.
Negative responses from the audience can be identified by restlessness and physical discomfort.
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Aesthetic education is one of the goals of children's theatre.
Aesthetic education is one of the goals of children's theatre.
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Children's theatre focuses solely on entertainment with no educational value.
Children's theatre focuses solely on entertainment with no educational value.
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Children typically demonstrate imagination by creating fantasies with simple objects.
Children typically demonstrate imagination by creating fantasies with simple objects.
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Special effects and lighting tricks hold no significance for children's theatre audiences.
Special effects and lighting tricks hold no significance for children's theatre audiences.
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The theatre manager should consider facilities and publicity when managing children's theatre.
The theatre manager should consider facilities and publicity when managing children's theatre.
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Study Notes
Directing Children's Theatre
- Emotional Truths: The greatest error in directing children's theatre is emotional condescension (treating children's emotions as less important). Children learn primarily through emotion before reasoning. Removing emotional response from a child's play is harmful. Children are very receptive to emotions, so irrelevant emotions in their play need to be controlled.
Visualization
- Visual Language: Children rely heavily on visual cues. Visual language (actions and visuals) should be emphasized to engage children. Visual effects should not overpower the story or ideas, but should support them.
Variety
- Attention Spans: Children have shorter attention spans and are curious, so variety in the play is important.
Age Considerations
- Production Approach: Create a single play designed catering to multiple age groups, with unified activities. The director needs to consider the artistic interests of each age group.
Casting and Identification
- Instant Recognition: Stereotypical casting may help children quickly identify characters. However, encourage children to see beyond superficial characteristics.
Audience Participation
- Creating Comfort: Ensure the children are comfortable during the performance. Distinguish between noise and active participation.
Effect & Spectacle
- Elaborate Elements: Scenery and costumes should be elaborate though careful to not overwhelm the children's imagination. Allow children to use their imaginations alongside the elaborate elements.
Acting for Children's Theatre
- Adult Level Acting: Actors should perform at a level appropriate to adults. Play the roles as realistically as possible. Characters must have believable human characteristics (otherwise audience loses interest).
Audience Response
- Difference in Response: A skilled child actor recognizes the difference in responses from adults versus children and even varied mixed audiences and tailor the performance accordingly.
Designing Children's Theatre
- Atmosphere & Imagery: The design of a children's theatre piece should create an atmosphere, convey visual images for the action of the play, and contribute to the story. Visual elements including form, color, mass, and balance should appeal to young audiences. This includes imaginative creations, toys, birds, airplanes through simple materials. Children appreciate spectacle (special effects, lighting) and originality.
Children's Theatre Management
- Complex Management: Managing children's theatre is complex due to limited financial and time control by children. Collaboration is crucial with parents and teachers. Key goals for children's theatre management include developing personality, aesthetic education, social skills, and creativity promotion through theatre and entertainment. Ensuring facilities and publicity also play a role in successful children's theatre.
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Description
Explore the essential techniques for directing children's theatre, focusing on emotional truths, visualization, and the need for variety to maintain engagement. Learn how to cater to different age groups while ensuring that emotional responses are prioritized in performances. This quiz will deepen your understanding of effective children's theatre direction.
