Arts 10

Quarter 4 – Lesson 1

Philippine-Based
Theatrical Art Forms
Theater arts is a collaborative form of art where live
performers act on stage before a group of audience in a
specific place carrying out a story.

Live performances like theater plays demand the

expertise and collaboration of each member in the
production team as well as the cast to produce a high-
quality performance.

One of the best examples of theater plays is Miss

Saigon, where Lea Salonga was selected to play the
lead role as Kim.
 Theatrical Forms
A. Tragedy
It is a dramatic play portraying the struggle of a strong-willed
protagonist against fate, as predestined by mysterious, divine, social, or
psychological forces, culminating in disaster and usually caused by a
flaw in the protagonist’s character.
B. Comedy
It is a dramatic play of light and humorous character, typically with a
cheerful and happy ending.
C. Drama
It is a play that is “for real”. The characters represent realistic and
everyday people.
D. Melodrama
It is a dramatic composition characterized by extravagant theatricality
and the dominance of plot and physical action over characterization.
 The Elements of Art as Applied to an Original Performance
1. Sound and Music. These two elements set for the audience
different moods and emotions. Through the use of different
sounds, they provide different effects to the play that heighten the
emotions of the characters and the audience. The sound effects
also make the play more realistic and exciting. The use of sound
and music in a play entails the incorporation of sound recording
and editing techniques using applications for computers, tablets
and Android phones.
2. Gesture, Movement, and Dance. These are bodily movements
or actions that usually express emotions, character, and narrative
actions with accompanying sound or music. Every single gesture,
movement or dance step conveys a meaning or message.
 The Elements of Art as Applied to an Original Performance

3. Costume, Mask, Makeup, and Accessories. These comprise

the visual effects, of which the main function is to enhance
visibility and aesthetic value. They help make the character
appear realistic according to the role he/she portrays.

4. Spectacle. This is something exhibited for view as something

unusual, notable, or entertaining, especially an eye-catching or
dramatic public display which may be regarded as impressive
and breathtaking and on stage if visual, lighting, sound, music,
costumes, dance, and special effects are properly manifested in a
play.
 Principles of Art as Applied to an
Original Performance

1. Rhythm, Movement. This principle guides the directors and

other production staff of the play on the proper use of music and
movement. These elements should contribute in setting the mood
and tone of the play and the scenes.

2. Balance. This principle guides the director on how to achieve

the proper balance and composition in terms of stage blockings,
props, backdrops, costume and set design/set pieces. This will
also guide the production staff in setting the right perspective of
the play.
Principles of Art as Applied to an Original Performance
3. Emphasis. This principle guides the director on which part of the play
should be emphasized This will help in communicating to the audience the
theme of the play.

4. Harmony, Unity and Variety. These principles guide the director on

how to put the elements of arts like set design, costumes, spectacle, etc. in
harmony. These elements should complement each other and also have
variation to create a spectacular visual impact on the play.

5. Proportion. This principle guides the director as to how to make the

play more realistic or stylized through proper use of space, height, width
and sizes of the elements or materials to be used in the play.
 Arts 10
Quarter 4 – Lesson 2

Different Roles in
Play Production
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production staff
PRODUCER
One of the main roles of a producer is to oversee the overall aspects of the production.
He or she is responsible to the financial and managerial functions of the production. The
producer provides financial backing to the production or invites investors to pour in
financing, and hires the creative staffs like the director, writers, choreographer, and
composer. Though the casting of actors is a job for the director, a producer has the
power of casting approval. A producer acts like a bridge to connect financing or business
in the realization of the playwright’s vision.

DIRECTOR
The director provides the overall vision and guidance of a performance,
ensuring that all elements are unified, and that production runs smoothly. The
director works closely with the design and production teams and sometimes with the
playwright to hone the vision and define the production schedule. He or she ensures
that all elements are executed perfectly and that everyone in the production are in tune
with his/her artistic vision to create a great impact in the audience. The director guides
and instructs the actors in all the phases of rehearsals.
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production Staff
PLAYWRIGHT
The playwright develops the concepts and puts them into script
plays. The script forms the basis of the entire production. It
contains the narrative through dialogues, and it may also have
the description of settings, sounds, mood, lights, costumes, and
makeup of the characters.

PRODUCTION MANAGER
The production manager is tasked in overseeing the crews for the
sets and props, the sound and music, the lighting, and the
costumes. He or she manages the behind-the-scenes of the
production.
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production Staff
SET DESIGNER
He/she designs and supervises the construction of the set (or sets) that will be
the physical world of the play’s characters. The set and set pieces may be
realistic, but it can be done in other styles such as minimalism or whimsical.
The set designer may use a variety of materials like backdrops, theater flats,
curtains/drapes, or LED screens. The set designer must work with the director
to note the flow of action to create a suitable ground plan for the actors to move
around in.

LIGHTING DESIGNER
As a lighting designer, he/she uses colored lights or filters, as well as special
effects such as increasing or lowering the brightness of light, creating flickering
effects, and synchs them to create the mood and atmosphere. The lighting
designer plans all these and adds detailed notes on the script for the lighting
crew to follow during rehearsals and the actual performance.
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production Staff
COSTUME DESIGNER
The task of a costume designer is to create the actors’ costumes or outfits
that are suitable to their characters. The costume designer looks into the
time and setting of the script to make the look of the characters more
believable. He or she also takes consideration the personality of each
character to achieve authenticity in the delivery of script. The costumes
maybe sewn, hand-made, or assembled to create the characters’ depiction
in the script.

SOUND DESIGNER
Like the lighting designer, a sound designer serves a vital role in creating
and enhancing the atmosphere of the performance. He or she is
responsible in incorporating sound effects to create the right balance of
sound, the tempo, and overall effect of the production.
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production Staff
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
The technical director oversees all the instructions relating to
lighting and sounds. During the technical rehearsals, the
technical director notes all the cues, errors, and other issues to
iron them out before the actual production.

STAGE MANAGER
The stage manager oversees all the director’s instructions- from
costumes to make up, and from set to the actors and actresses.
Also, the stage manager notes all the director’s instructions in
his/her script so that in the absence of the director, he/she can
supervise the rehearsals. He/she also checks the attendance and
punctuality of the actors.
 Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or
Production Staff
CHOREOGRAPHER
The choreographer is responsible with the dance steps that are suitable
for the dance numbers of the production. In case there are fight scenes,
he or she will choreograph the scenes in accordance with the director’s
vision and ensure safety for the actors and actresses.

MAKEUP DESIGNER
The makeup designer works closely with the costume designer to achieve
a suitable look. The makeup designer makes the actors look real and
believable based on their emotions, age, personality as well as the time
and place of the events of the play. In some cases, a makeup designer
may use prosthetics, wigs, masks, and other accessories to alter and suit
the character’s role.
Organization Chart of a Production Team
 Visual Components of Stage Play

STAGE SETTINGS
Stage setting is used to create an environment that will bring the script to life. It
includes the use of composition in art such as line, mass, color, form, and unity
that allows the movements of the performers in space. A stage setting or scenic
design includes the drawing elements such as basic ground plan where the
static scenic elements are placed, the composite ground plan where the moving
scenic elements are placed, section of the stage space, and the front elevations.
Scenic designers use models before the final drawings that are needed to be
made or
constructed.

LIGHTING DESIGN
The lighting design is as important as the stage settings since it contributes to
the the overall mood of the performance. The functions of light in play include
mood and illusion, structure and rhythm, and lighting motivation. Each
function plays differently in its own way.
 Visual Components of Stage Play
COSTUME DESIGN
The costume used by the performers helps convey meanings, time
periods and historical context. It shows vital scenes and the
relationship between people, showing, a particular period, weather, or
location of the scene; revealing the characters portrayed by the
performers.

PROPERTIES/PROPS
The properties of a play include the stage props and hand props that
are used as part of the scene setting. The stage props may include jar,
lampshades, furniture, pictures, chairs, and tables, and many more.
Hand props, on the other hand, include ballpen, glasses, cup, pencils,
cigarettes, and others. Properties are essential to convey a scene’s
objectives and to aid the actors in communicating a scene.
 Arts 10
Quarter 4 – Lesson 3

Choreography in a
Stage Performance
Choreography – is the art of creating
dance patterns and movements to
form a dance routine.
 Elements of Choreography

1. Body – A dancer’s important medium is the different parts of

the body such as the arms and head in creating forms, lines and
shapes to express emotions.

2. Action/Movement – This is any movement or action of a

dancer like facial expressions, gestures, and pauses. It can be
done in one place or done as the body moves through space,
locomotor or non-locomotor. Examples are stepping, walking and
jumping.

3. Time – It refers to a dance’s rhythm, pulse, speed, and cut

short of movements. A dance performance has its beginning and
end. Example: use of slow, quick, quick and slow movements
 Elements of Choreography

4. Energy – It describes how a dancer is moving. It helps the

audience to identify the emotions and intentions of a dancer.
For example, a dancer may move forcefully, gracefully, softy,
smoothly or energetically.

Energy includes the following:

• Force – This is the power in which a dancer performs a
routine.
Example: strong to light movement
• Flow – This is the energy used by the dancer to perform a
movement. Example: controlled movement or free movement
 Elements of Choreography

5. Space – This refers to the area where a dancer performs and

how he or she moves through the area.

Space includes the following:

• Placement – It is where a dancer’s body is positioned on stage.
• Formation – This is the area where a group of dancers
occupies.
• Focus – This is where a dancer is looking.
• Direction/Pathway – It is where a dancer shall move.
• Level – Movements can be performed at different levels. As the
level of movement changes, the body creates different effects.
Elements of Choreography that Add Complexity

1. Repetition – This is repeating the steps or

patterns and movements.
2. Transitions – These are movements that
connect a step to another step.
3. Contrast – It is the use of different steps or
patterns.
4. Sequence – This refers to the flow or order of
steps or patterns in a dance.
 Things to Consider in a Stage Performance

1. Use varied dance steps to keep the audience engaged.

2. Execute properly the movements.
3. Use rhythm to change movements, when meant to be fast or
slow.
4. Use movement to emphasize elements in music.
5. Use space properly in a dance area. Do not just stay in the
middle of the stage; use the different areas or the space of the
stage either upstage or downstage.
6. Memorize steps by practicing multiple times.
7. Dance with feelings and interpret the music.
8. Have fun and enjoy while performing.