YourStateStandards

Virginia K–6 theatre standards

Virginia writes its own theatre standards. They are published as Theatre Arts Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools, adopted 2020 and are not a version of a national framework. 98 of 127 are matched to a national standard.

Framework
Theatre Arts Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
Adopted
2020
Source last checked
August 2, 2026
Read the official document

127 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • K.1K
    The student will improvise characters from stories.
  • K.2K
    The student will ask questions about theatre arts.
  • K.3K
    The student will describe theatre performances using theatre vocabulary.
  • K.4K
    The student will describe personal connections to and interests in theatre.
  • K.5K
    The student will recognize that theatre consists of individuals working together to reach a common goal.
  • K.6K
    The student will respond to theatrical works from a variety of time periods, places, and people.
  • K.7K
    The student will identify a variety of reasons why people create theatrical works.
  • K.8K
    The student will identify information about theatre from provided resources.
  • K.9K
    The student will recognize theatre as an art form and profession.
  • K.10K
    The student will recognize ways that technology is used in theatre.
  • K.11K
    The student will recognize connections between dance, music, and visual arts in theatre experiences.
  • K.12K
    The student will recognize and explore how movement and voice express feelings and emotions.
  • K.13K
    The student will recognize the use of body, voice, and imagination to communicate stories.
  • K.14K
    The student will recognize theatre as dramatized storytelling.
  • K.15K
    The student will identify the performers and audience in theatre activities.
  • K.16K
    The student will recognize safety procedures in theatre spaces.
  • 1.11
    The student will share ideas to improvise elements of stories with a setting, characters, and conflict.
  • 1.21
    The student will generate ideas and collaborate to expand ideas and solve challenges in theatre activities and processes.
  • 1.31
    The student will describe similarities and differences of a theatre performance and the story it is based on.
  • 1.41
    The student will describe personal reactions or responses to theatre works.
  • 1.51
    The student will identify skills needed to collaborate in theatre activities and performances, such as performer and audience etiquette for a variety of theatre settings.
  • 1.61
    The student will identify and respond to theatrical works from a variety of time periods, places, and people.
  • 1.71
    The student will identify and describe reasons why people create, view, and participate in theatre experiences.
  • 1.81
    The student will explore appropriate sources for viewing theatrical works.
  • 1.91
    The student will identify and discuss careers in theatre.
  • 1.101
    The student will identify and describe how technology is used in theatre.
  • 1.111
    The student will describe and explore connections between dance, music, visual arts, and theatre experiences.
  • 1.121
    The student will identify and practice physical and vocal skills for effective communication.
  • 1.131
    The student will identify the need for physical and vocal warm ups for performers.
  • 1.141
    The student will explain and explore an imagined reality through theatre activities and performance.
  • 1.151
    The student will describe responsibilities of performers.
  • 1.161
    The student will describe why safety procedures are necessary for theatre activities and performances.
  • 2.12
    The student will improvise a plot with a beginning, middle, and end.
  • 2.22
    The student will collaborate to develop ideas for group or individual performance.
  • 2.32
    The student will identify meaning communicated in theatrical works using theatre terms.
  • 2.42
    The student will identify and discuss a variety of responses to theatrical works.
  • 2.52
    The student will describe skills needed for theatre including but not limited to trust, active listening, communication, and collaboration.
  • 2.62
    The student will identify ways that theatre arts are part of customs and traditions of various cultures.
  • 2.72
    The student will identify and compare theatre experiences in the community and Commonwealth.
  • 2.82
    The student will identify appropriate sources for theatre inquiry.
  • 2.92
    The student will identify careers and professional skills in theatre including but not limited to actors, directors, and technicians.
  • 2.102
    The student will explore technology used in theatre.
  • 2.112
    The student will identify skills and concepts learned in theatre that relate to concepts learned in other content areas.
  • 2.122
    The student will identify and apply appropriate body positions, projection, speed, and volume in theatre activities.
  • 2.132
    The student will identify techniques for physical and vocal warm-ups.
  • 2.142
    The student will explore rehearsal techniques for character development.
  • 2.152
    The student will describe the relationship between the performer and audience.
  • 2.162
    The student will identify and explore technical elements of theatre including scenic elements and costumes.
  • 3.13
    The student will construct and improvise individual and group performances in response to prompts.
  • 3.23
    The student will identify elements of a creative process for theatre.
  • 3.33
    The student will identify distinguishing characteristics of a variety of settings, characters, and plots of theatrical works.
  • 3.43
    The student will explain personal connections to theatrical works, experiences, or processes.
  • 3.53
    The student will explain and demonstrate active listening in theatre activities, rehearsal, and performance.
  • 3.63
    The student will compare and contrast cultural influences of a variety of theatrical works.
  • 3.73
    The student will describe reasons that theatre has value to individuals and communities.
  • 3.83
    The student will identify appropriate use of the Internet when exploring theatre topics and theatrical works.
  • 3.93
    The student will investigate and explore various theatre careers and theatre skills for college, career, and lifelong engagement with theatre.
  • 3.103
    The student will investigate and explain how technology is used in performance and production.
  • 3.113
    The student will explain how theatre incorporates skills and concepts learned in other content areas.
  • 3.123
    The student will alter vocal choices and body position to express character traits.
  • 3.133
    The student will explain why physical and vocal warm ups are important for performers.
  • 3.143
    The student will identify a rehearsal process to prepare for a performance.
  • 3.153
    The student will identify creative and technical roles in theatre activities.
  • 3.163
    The student will identify and explore aspects of technical design (e.g., scenery, costumes, sound, lighting, props).
  • 4.14
    The student will develop ideas for theatre that include stories with imaginary characters or settings.
  • 4.24
    The student will identify questions for inquiry of a theatre topic of interest.
  • 4.3.a4
    Describe connections between technical elements and plot.
  • 4.3.b4
    Interpret ideas and meanings in theatrical works.
  • 4.3.c4
    Evaluate the work of self and others based on established criteria.
  • 4.44
    The student will examine how personal beliefs and experiences influence responses to theatrical works.
  • 4.54
    The student will identify and describe theatre etiquette for a variety of theatre settings.
  • 4.64
    The student will examine historical contexts of a variety of theatrical works.
  • 4.74
    The student will explain how theatre is an integral part of the community.
  • 4.84
    The student will describe and practice citing sources in theatre activities and research.
  • 4.94
    The student will identify skills learned in theatre that connect to other content areas and career options.
  • 4.104
    The student will explore innovative ways to use technology in theatre performance.
  • 4.114
    The student will explore how theatre skills and processes can be used in the development of solutions to real-world problems.
  • 4.124
    The student will examine the impact of physical and vocal choices used to convey character traits and emotions.
  • 4.134
    The student will identify and explore physical and vocal warm ups for performers.
  • 4.144
    The student will practice a rehearsal process to perform for a selected audience.
  • 4.154
    The student will examine creative and technical roles in theatre.
  • 4.16..a4
    Examine safety procedures in theatre spaces.
  • 4.16..b4
    Select and apply a technical element to enhance a dramatized story (e.g., scenery, costumes, sound, lighting, props).
  • 5.15
    The student will collaborate to devise stories and characters.
  • 5.25
    The student will demonstrate self-reflection and self-evaluation to improve a personal theatrical work or performance, based on specified criteria.
  • 5.3.a5
    Compare and contrast styles of theatre.
  • 5.3.b5
    Justify personal choices using theatre vocabulary.
  • 5.3.c5
    Develop criteria to evaluate the work of self and others.
  • 5.45
    The student will select a preferred theatrical work and defend the selection using appropriate theatre vocabulary.
  • 5.55
    The student will identify the ensemble and identify ensemble skills for theatre activities and performance.
  • 5.65
    The student will compare and contrast cultural and historical influences of a variety of theatrical works.
  • 5.75
    The student will describe how theatre artists contribute to communities and society.
  • 5.85
    The student will define intellectual property as it relates to theatre.
  • 5.95
    The student will describe a variety of theatre arts careers.
  • 5.105
    The student will use available technology to develop theatrical works.
  • 5.115
    The student will compare and contrast theatre skills and processes with those of other art forms.
  • 5.125
    The student will use the body and voice to communicate a variety of character traits and emotions in theatre activities.
  • 5.135
    The student will demonstrate the use of physical warm ups, vocal warm ups, and memorization to prepare for theatre activities and performance.
  • 5.145
    The student will rehearse and perform short scenes that include a beginning, middle, and end.
  • 5.155
    The student will compare, contrast, and demonstrate roles and responsibilities of performers and production team in theatre activities.
  • 5.16.a5
    Apply safety procedures in all theatre spaces.
  • 5.16.b5
    Identify skills and concepts for technical areas (e.g., scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, props).
  • 6.1.a6
    Improvise responses to creative prompts.
  • 6.1.b6
    Portray invented characters.
  • 6.26
    The student will use a creative process to develop solo and collaborative presentations, using body, voice, and imagination.
  • 6.3.a6
    Describe connections between theatre and literature.
  • 6.3.b6
    Explain how meaning is expressed both physically (through movement, gesture, and other forms of physical expression) and verbally.
  • 6.3.c6
    Define critique and develop criteria for critiquing performances.
  • 6.3.d6
    Critique a short scene and/or evaluate a script, working collaboratively
  • 6.46
    The student will identify connections between personal experience and dramatizations.
  • 6.5.a6
    Identify the role of the audience as integral to the performance experience.
  • 6.5.b6
    Build trust, cooperation, confidence, concentration, and listening skills through theatre exercises and team-building activities.
  • 6.66
    The student will explain influences of history, culture, and current events on the development of theatrical works.
  • 6.76
    The student will identify theatrical resources in the community.
  • 6.86
    The student will define intellectual property and describe issues of intellectual property related to theatre.
  • 6.96
    The student will describe various careers in theatre arts.
  • 6.106
    The student will identify the use of contemporary technology in theatre production.
  • 6.116
    The student will analyze how theatre incorporates other art forms.
  • 6.126
    The student will demonstrate how meaning is expressed both physically (through movement, gesture, and other forms of physical expression) and verbally (through vocal choices).
  • 6.136
    The student will identify techniques and skills for actor preparation, including memorization and warm ups for performance.
  • 6.146
    The student will demonstrate theatre as dramatized storytelling by preparing and presenting short scenes that include characters, setting, properties, conflict, and a progressive chain of events.
  • 6.156
    The student will identify functions of a theatre director.
  • 6.16.a6
    Identify safety procedures in all rehearsal and performance spaces.
  • 6.16.b6
    Describe physical performance spaces and stage positions.
  • 6.16.c6
    Identify different types of performance spaces and productions.
  • 6.16.d6
    Describe aspects of theatre design (e.g., lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, scenery).
  • 6.16.e6
    Select and use available technical elements to enhance presentations.

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