Day 11: Hip Hop Theatre

UNIT TITLE

Acting Methods and Styles

LESSON TITLE

Hip Hop Theatre

CLASS

Drama 4

DURATION

75 Minutes

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE

Students will be able to articulate the basic tenants of hip hop theatre and culture by participating in the class discussion.

NATIONAL CORE ARTS STANDARDS

CREATING

• TH:Cr1.1.HSIII.a
o Synthesize knowledge from a variety of dramatic forms, theatrical conventions, and technologies to create the visual composition of a drama/theatre work
• TH:Cr3.1.HSIII.b
o Synthesize knowledge from a variety of dramatic forms, theatrical conventions, and technologies to create the visual composition of a drama/theatre work.

PERFORMANCE

• TH:Pr4.1.HSII.b
o Apply a variety of researched acting techniques as an approach to character choices in a drama/theatre work.
• TH:Pr5.1.HSIII.a
o Use and justify a collection of acting exercises from reliable resources to prepare a believable and sustainable performance.

MATERIALS

TEACHING PRESENTATION:

Hook:

After students are all situated and ready for the day, rap for them. This can be a rap that you have written before hand, or it can be something you make-up freestyle. It doesn’t have to be good. In fact, it is probably better if it isn’t good, then students won’t feel the pressure when they are asked to rap. The rap doesn’t have to be long, but it should introduce the idea that we are switching over to a new style: Hip-Hop theatre.

Step 1: Introduction/Discussion After the students stop laughing at you for your lackluster rap, confirm that you rapped for a reason: we are switching to a form of theatre that the students might not no much about. Ask the students what they know, or think they know about Hip-Hop theatre.

Chances are students will respond with something about In the Height the musical. If that is the case, explain that In The Heights would be on the mainstream side of the Hip Hop theatre spectrum. This discussion needn’t take very long, just enough time to gauge what students know. Once you feel ready, proceed with the lesson.

Explain that describing Hip-Hop theatre is as hard as trying to describe what salt tastes like. It’s just easier to show you. Explain that because of this, we will be watching several clips and coming up with our own definitions of Hip Hop Theatre.

Step 2: Clip Explain that you are going to show two clips, one from the Broadway Musical In The Heights, and another one from a short musical called What the Heck I Gotta Do? Explain that these are on the more mainstream side of the spectrum. Then roll the clips.

Step 3: Discussion After the clips, lead a short discussion:
• Based on these clips, what are the qualities or main elements of Hip-Hop theatre?

Just get some of their ideas out into the open and then move onto the next clip.

Step 4: Clip Explain that the next clip is a completely different representation of Hip Hop theatre. The performer is Jonzi D, who is a pioneer in the Hip Hop Theatre community. He is British. This clip is from his one-man show called The Letter. It’s about whether or not he is going to accept an MBE (it’s like a lesser knighthood in the U.K.). Show the clip then discuss.

Step 5: Discussion After the clips, lead a short discussion:
• Based on this clip, what are the qualities or main elements of Hip-Hop theatre?
• What is similar? What is different?

Get some more answers from different students, then introduce the next clip.

Step 6: Clip Explain that Jonzi D is also the artistic director of a dance festival called Breakin’ Convention. Pay attention in this video to how the people talk about hip-hop theatre and how they talk about hip-hop culture.

Step 7: Discussion On the white board, write two headings: Hip Hop Theatre and Hip Hop Culture. Then ask the following questions. Write down answers under the appropriate headings.
• Based on this clip, what can we say are aspects of Hip Hop Theatre and Hip Hop Culture?
o Taking Hip-Hop conventions and adding narrative, changing the context, making it art, contemporary reflection of today.

Here introduce the four main elements of Hip-Hop culture, which are:
• Grafitti
• Breaking (break dance)
• MC’ing (rapping)
• DJ’ing (Turn table)

Explain that when Jonzi D is talking about the Hip Hop forms in this clip, he is talking about these four elements. These are defining elements of Hip Hop theatre.

Finish up the working definitions of Hip-Hop Culture and Hip-Hop Theatre, then proceed to the next clip.

Step 8: Clip Explain that students should watch the next clip looking for more that we could add to our definitions of hip-hop theatre New York Hip Hop Festival

Step 9: Discussion Conduct a short discussion:
• Based on this clip, what would we add to our definition of Hip Hop Culture?
o More than rap music, living/breathing entity.
• Based on this clip, what would add to our definition of Hip Hop Theatre?
o Gives a voice, it’s about expression and being true, it’s constantly evolving and changing, disillusion of borders, it’s about service and caring.

Finish up the working definitions of Hip-Hop Culture and Hip-Hop Theatre, and then proceed to the next clip.

Step 10: Clip Explain that the next clips are about a show that was created by two brothers: they call themselves the Q Brothers. They do hip-hop theatre a little differently. Show the first clip (the Othello Remix preview) followed by the second video (Q brothers talking about Othello remix).

Step 11: Discussion Conduct a short discussion:
• What did you see? Similarities to the other clips? Differences?
• Would you add anything to our definitions based on these clips?
o Students might not add much. The other two videos cover it pretty well.
• Would you want to see that version of Othello? Why?

Explain that what the Q Brothers are doing is commonly known as ad-rap-tations. It’s when you take an already existing text and you basically translate it into contemporary speech for the purpose of rapping it. Explain that to get a better handle on Hip-Hop theatre, we are going to create our ad-rap-ations, similar to the Q Brothers.

Step 12: Clip If you have time and you would like to, you can show the Big City Brains clip as another example of what Hip-Hop theatre can look like. However, if you lack the time, you can skip this step.

Step 13: Assignment Explain to the students that they can pick their own groups. They should make groups of 5 or 6—no more, no less. In their groups the should decide on what they want to ad-rap (like adapt, get it?). It could be scene from a Shakespeare play, or an entire play. Explain that they will have to present it all together, and they should between 3-5 minutes long. Also explain that this performance will not happen for three class periods. Students will work next class period, they will work a little bit the class period after that, and then they will perform it the class period after that. They have about a class period and a half of class time to practice, though they will most likely need to meet outside of class to rehearse as well. Ask for clarifying questions, and then let student make their groups and start working.

Step 14: Group Practice Allow groups to discus. Walk between groups encouraging them to select a scene or play today so they can get started on it

Assessment

Students must contribute to the discussion throughout the class period to receive the 20 points for the day. Students can be assessed on their participation in the ongoing class discussion.