Arts Equation : Forging a Vital Link Between Performing Artists and Educators

by Taylor, Bruce D.

• ISBN13: 9780823088058
• ISBN10: 0823088057
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: Back Stage Books

Summary

A practical how-to guide to getting educators and performing artists workingogether to meet federal standards.

Author Biography

Bruce D. Taylor co-founded a company which develops ways to expand the positive effects of the arts in education, Arts for Anyone, which currently works with ten school systems in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 5
Introduction: Why Bother with the Arts?	p. 8
The Current State of the Arts in America	p. 14
You as Arts Educator	p. 18
Laying a Foundation	p. 21
Experiencing Art	p. 24
Art and Capability	p. 29
Developing Future Audiences, Practitioners, and Advocates	p. 31
Access: Ten Goals	p. 32
Barriers to Understanding	p. 36
Working Within the Educational System	p. 41
Integrating the Arts into the Whole	p. 43
Getting to Know a School	p. 50
Working with the Principal	p. 52
Working with Teachers	p. 54
Leading Teacher Workshops	p. 57
Working with Students	p. 60
Working Within School Parameters	p. 63
Space: The Nonexistent Frontier	p. 63
The Question of Evidence	p. 64
Fitting into the Curriculum	p. 68
Working Within an Arts Organization	p. 76
Nonprofits' Funding Politics	p. 76
Who's Who in Arts Organizations	p. 77
The Production Process	p. 81
Lesson Plans	p. 85
A Lesson Plan Teachers Will Use	p. 87
Materials	p. 91
Artists' Visits	p. 92
Compensating Artists	p. 92
Connections with Life	p. 94
Ensuring Effectiveness	p. 96
Some Examples of Artists' Visits	p. 101
Follow-Up	p. 103
Mounting Works by or with Children	p. 105
Assigning Jobs	p. 106
Producing Existing Works	p. 111
Producing Original Works	p. 113
Giving Children Real Responsibility	p. 122
Scenery Basics	p. 124
The Flat	p. 124
The Drop	p. 128
The Platform	p. 130
Using Set Elements	p. 132
Scenery Odds and Ends	p. 133
Lighting Basics	p. 136
Manufactured Lighting Units	p. 136
Basic Electricity	p. 140
Coffee Can Footlights	p. 144
A Homemade Parcan	p. 148
A Dimmer Board	p. 151
Electrical Odds and Ends	p. 154
Setting Light Cues	p. 155
Adapting the Space	p. 156
Performance Effectiveness	p. 158
Directing	p. 158
The Script	p. 160
The Characters	p. 160
First Read-Through	p. 162
Layout and Blocking	p. 162
Before the Performance	p. 166
The Issue of Amplification	p. 167
Projection and Energy	p. 168
Guiding Singers	p. 169
Guiding Dancers	p. 171
Touring to Schools	p. 173
Preparing to Tour	p. 174
Producing the Tour	p. 177
Student Audiences	p. 179
Interacting with Your Host School	p. 180
Matiness for Students	p. 181
Getting Them There	p. 181
The Matinee Audience	p. 182
Making the Environment Comfortable	p. 183
Presenting to "First-Timers"	p. 184
The Chamber Work	p. 187
Adults and Communities	p. 188
Two Contrasting Communities	p. 189
Adult Education	p. 193
Epilogue: The Importance of Being Patient	p. 195
Appendix	p. 197
Lesson Plan Format	p. 197
Metaphor	p. 198
Federal Goals 2000	p. 200
Touring Checklist	p. 202
Index	p. 204
About the Author	p. 208
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