Theatre is a Religion
Project
A Practical Approach to the Collaborative Task
Religious styles and beliefs throughout the
world and history have had an impact on
how theatre in that respective society was
allowed to develop.
Project requirements
• All groups will research a specific form of religion, and explore how
that religion impacted the types of theatre created.
• Please note that some of the subjects for research may have more
than one applicable way in which the religion is practiced based
on time period or country. You are to focus on one specific style
and research that religious form.
• You are to include an examples of a at least 3 scripts (specific
scenes) that were written under that particular religious system.
• You are to write a scene and/or develop a performance that would
have been acceptable under the religious system you researched.
Each group member is to play a significant role in the final scene.
The final scene is to be 13-15 minutes long.
• Cite your sources. USE END NOTES!!!! (No Wikipedia)
Research to include
• Type of religion are you reporting on and its attributes. In addition, what
kinds of theatre are popular/allowable under this religious system?(Ex:
Currently the US has a strong Christian population. What is Christianity
and how is it structured? Choose a specific form of the Christian religion
to research (Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc. as Christian is too broad.)
How was this form of religion established? What sort of practices or
doctrines are in place that allow for different theatre styles? How is the
religious practices reflected in theatre? What sort of restrictions are
placed on theatrical performances? Are there parts of the society that are
more religiously tolerant of theatre and its variances? Is there styles of
theatre that would be considered unacceptable?)
• You are to research a collaborative theatre company and the processes it
uses in a collaborative setting.
• Explain and support your findings with research not opinions.
• Cite your sources. USE END NOTES!!!! (No Wikipedia)
Research Presentation
• This is an group project. There will be 2 groups of 3 and one group
of 4. You are to work with new people. You must choose members
other than your absurdist partners.
• All research is to be completed by the group. You may choose to
divide up the research amongst the group members. Each group
member must be made responsible for a significant portion of the
research and record their research in their IWB. (Source citations
are not included in your word count.)
• Do not research these religions as they exist in the U.S.A. or other
religiously tolerant countries. Look to the countries/cultures of
origin.
• You are to share your research findings with each other through a
goolge doc format. Share it with me at j.peebles@mwschool.org
• Cite your sources. USE END NOTES!!!! (No Wikipedia)
The performance
• Your performance should be prepared and
rehearsed.
• There should be blocking (planned movement)
that shows that this is a performance and not just
the individuals standing delivering memorized
lines not interacting with each other.
• It should show aspects of the society you are
reporting on and how the influence of their
religion shaped your piece.
The performance
• Any costuming must fit over regular clothes.
NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Any props are to be supplied by the
performers.
The Final Expectations
• All students must contribute significantly to the final performance as a
creator, performer, designer, and/or director. (You may do more than one
of the roles.)
• A process journal (not to exceed 15 pages) that documents all research,
reflections, justifications, and explanations for you contributions to your
group’s performance. (Make it personalized. Write in first person.)
• Your performance will be recorded. It must be done in one 13-15 minute
shot with no zoom in or out and the camera cannot be turned off. The
group will have only one opportunity to perform their scene.
• Each student will choose 1 scene (not to exceed 4 minutes) or 2 scenes
(with a combined running time not to exceed 4 minutes) that clearly
showcases their contributions to the collaborative scene.
• Students are to support, justify, and respond to their video segments and
how it demonstrates their contributions. Use you research and
experiences during the process.
• A source citations of your work.
Religion Choices
(Each topic may only be chosen once)
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Buddhism
Islam
Greek Orthodox
Hinduism
Judaism
Taoism
Shinto