Radio Dramas

by Anne Flinders

Radio Drama Unit

By Anne Flinders

 

Level of Experience: Beginning

[This unit has Sections that were planned to be taught in lessons or lesson segments to accommodate a 45-minute daily class schedule.  The segments can be separated and/or combined as needed.]

 

Unit Objective

Students will be able to identify and use projection, diction, and vocal variations of rate, pitch, tone, inflection and emphasis by performing a radio drama for their classmates.

 

National Content Standard #2

Acting by developing basic acting skills to portray characters who interact in improvised and scripted scenes
b) Students demonstrate acting skills (such as sensory recall, concentration, breath control, diction, body alignment, control of isolated body parts) to develop characterizations that suggest artistic choices
c) Students, in an ensemble, interact as the invented characters

 

State Standard Objective 2:

VOICE  Develop expressive use of the voice. a) Demonstrate a clear voice when communicating in performance. b) Explain the elements of voice and speech production; e.g., intensity, pitch, rhythm, volume.

 

District I CANS: Stage Voice I CAN:

  • Define the vocal qualities of: projection, rate, diction, and expression.
  • Demonstrate correct use of my voice when performing.
  • Utilize my voice to further develop my character.

During Performance I Can:

  • Speak clearly, using good articulation.
  • Control the rate of my speech.
  • Demonstrate vocal variety for my character.

 

Big Idea:

Vocal variety is a major part of creating a believable character.

 

Essential Questions:

How does the way we use our voices help others understand what we are trying to communicate?

 

Enduring Understanding:

We can convey a variety of meanings to the same words using vocal variety in many settings outside of theatre practice.

 

Unit Introduction

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to discuss what they can learn from radio drama performance that can be useful to stage acting.

 

Lesson 1, Segment I: Projection

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use projection by performing a brief recitation in a large performance space.

 

Lesson 1 Segment II: Diction

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use projection and diction by performing a brief graded recitation in a large performance space.

 

Lesson 2: Rate and Pitch

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use rate and pitch to alter/disguise their voices by playing the game, “Master, Master, Who Am I”

 

Lesson 3: Inflection

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use inflection by using rising and falling inflection in a sentence.

 

Lesson 4: Tone

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use vocal tone to create altered sounds with their voices.

 

Lesson 5: Emphasis

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use emphasis by identifying “power words” in their radio drama scripts.

 

Lesson 6: Using Vocal Variety to Convey Meaning, Pt. 1

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use vocal variety to convey meaning by rehearsing a radio drama with a cast.

 

Lesson 7: Using Vocal Variety to Convey Meaning, Pt. 2

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use vocal variety to convey meaning by rehearsing a radio drama with a cast.

 

Lesson 8: Using Vocal Variety to Convey Meaning and Create Characters

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use vocal variations by creating voices for a reading of a children’s book.

 

Lesson 9: Practicing Vocal Variety in a Radio Drama

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use projection, diction, rate, pitch, tone, inflection and emphasis by rehearsing a radio drama.

 

Lesson 10: Performances 

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to use projection, diction, rate, pitch, tone, inflection and emphasis by performing a radio drama.

 

Radio Drama Unit of Lessons.Anne Flinders

Radio Drama Unit Supplements