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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