Test Design and
Test Framework
Field 210: Drama/Theatre Arts
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The test design below describes general test information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.
Test Design
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time* | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| Passing Score | 240 |
*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial
Test Framework
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
| Test Subarea | Number of Test Objectives | Number of Scorable Items | Number of Non-Scorable Items | subarea weight as percent of total test score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subarea 1—Basic Vocabulary of Drama/Theatre | 3 | 16 | 4 | 20 percent |
| Subarea 2—Theatrical Process, Performance, and Production | 5 | 27 | 7 | 34 percent |
| Subarea 3—History and Literature of Theatre | 3 | 16 | 4 | 20 percent |
| Subarea 4—Drama/Theatre and Fine Arts Education | 4 | 21 | 5 | 26 percent |
| Totals | 15 | 80 | 20 | 100 percent |
Subarea 1—Basic Vocabulary of Drama/Theatre
0001—Understand the sensory elements of drama/theatre.
For example:
- Identify aural elements.
- Identify kinesthetic elements.
- Identify visual elements.
0002—Understand the organizational principles of drama/theatre.
For example:
- Identify characteristics of the principles of setting.
- Identify characteristics of the principles of character.
- Identify characteristics of the principles of language.
- Identify characteristics of the principles of plot, structure, and conflict.
- Identify characteristics of the principles of a unified production.
0003—Understand the processes of creating and performing drama/theatre.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of the process of artistic collaboration (e.g., emotional impact, thematic elements, interpretation, mood).
- Demonstrate understanding of the actor's and director's craft.
- Demonstrate understanding of the designer's and technician's craft.
Subarea 2—Theatrical Process, Performance, and Production
0004—Understand the application of theatrical elements, processes, and tools in the creation of various dramatic forms.
For example:
- Recognize how aural, kinesthetic, and visual elements are used in dramatic performance and production.
- Demonstrate understanding of story making, process drama, creative drama, and devised theatre.
- Identify elements and processes of playwriting.
- Identify elements and processes of directing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and processes of pantomime and improvisation.
- Demonstrate understanding of acting and characterization techniques and processes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies that encourage student reflection, interpretation, and evaluation in response to a drama/theatre work.
0005—Understand the application of technical theatre elements, processes, and tools.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and use of costumes and makeup in drama/theatre.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and use of sets and props in drama/theatre.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of lighting and sound equipment and the use of lights and sound in drama/theatre.
0006—Understand principles of design and processes of implementation in theatrical production.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles for designing and constructing scenery for a theatrical production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles for designing theatrical lighting and sound.
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles for designing theatrical makeup.
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles for designing theatrical costuming.
0007—Understand strategies for managing theatrical environments.
For example:
- Identify types of theatre facilities and their characteristics.
- Recognize typical theatre management skills and concerns.
- Demonstrate understanding of appropriate safety procedures for preperformance, performance, and postperformance activities.
- Demonstrate understanding of relevant legal requirements for a theatrical setting.
0008—Understand fundamental techniques and procedures of directing theatrical productions.
For example:
- Identify effective methods for analyzing dramatic material for a theatrical production.
- Identify effective strategies for conducting auditions, casting, and selecting crew members.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective skills for coaching actors.
- Demonstrate knowledge of stage movement and blocking techniques.
- Demonstrate knowledge of production management.
Subarea 3—History and Literature of Theatre
0009—Understand the characteristics of dramatic literature.
For example:
- Identify genres and forms of dramatic literature.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structures of dramatic literature.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of literary techniques and elements in dramatic literature.
- Demonstrate knowledge of drama and theatre criticism and its relationship to dramatic literature.
0010—Understand the history of drama and theatre from world cultures through the nineteenth century.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of various social, cultural, and global forms of theatre.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of drama and the distinguishing characteristics of period and style.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of theatrical performance and production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of widely recognized works of dramatic literature.
- Recognize the contributions of representative playwrights and practitioners.
- Recognize how the functions of theatre shaped and reflected ideas, issues, or themes.
0011—Understand the history of drama and theatre from world cultures from the twentieth century to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of various social, cultural, and global forms of theatre.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of drama and the distinguishing characteristics of period and style.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of theatrical performance and production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of widely recognized works of dramatic literature.
- Recognize the contributions of representative playwrights and practitioners.
- Recognize how the functions of theatre shaped and reflected ideas, issues, or themes.
Subarea 4—Drama/Theatre and Fine Arts Education
0012—Understand the relationship of drama/theatre to other disciplines.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of the function of drama/theatre as an art form.
- Analyze the relationship of drama/theatre to other art forms.
- Analyze the relationship of drama/theatre to other content areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale for the role of drama/theatre in the school curriculum, including philosophical and social foundations for drama/theatre education.
0013—Understand instructional knowledge and skills appropriate to the teaching of drama/theatre.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of child development and psychological principles of learning as they apply to drama/theatre and fine arts education.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for developing appropriate learning experiences for a diverse student population (e.g., exceptional learners) as it applies to drama/theatre and fine arts education.
- Demonstrate familiarity with age-appropriate methods and materials for a diverse student population in all fields and levels of drama/theatre education.
- Demonstrate familiarity with teaching methods that integrate drama/theatre with other art forms and other subject areas at age-appropriate levels.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for integrating awareness of theatre careers into the drama/theatre curriculum.
0014—Understand the evaluation of students and their performance using theatrical assessment criteria.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of techniques for understanding students' aptitudes, skills, interests, special needs, and backgrounds appropriate to a school drama/theatre program.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of methods for evaluating students' theatrical works and processes.
0015—Understand professional development for the drama/theatre educator.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of professional resources for drama/theatre arts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the drama/theatre educator's need for continuing study and self-evaluation.
- Demonstrate familiarity with strategies for professional development for the drama/theatre educator.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the uses of various forms of existing and emerging technology for the school drama/theatre program at age-appropriate levels.