Introduction
In The Rocky Horror Picture, Brad and Janet are in love. As the musical begins, they are at a wedding and quickly get engaged. After getting a flat tire, they arrive at a large castle on a very special night. Once inside, they meet an unusual cast of characters: Frank-N-Furter, Columbia, Magenta, and Riff Raff. A strange night occurs and eventually Brad and Janet are able to escape the castle. This modern American musical has many characteristics of Commedia dell'Arte, which we will learn about in this lesson.
"Rocky Horror Picture Show" is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...
- Define appropriate theatre vocabulary from the Renaissance period in Italy.
- Identify major playwrights and plays from the Renaissance period in Italy.
- Identify characteristics of theatre during the Renaissance period in Italy.
- Discuss theatre through the study of the culture that affected theatre during the Renaissance period in Italy.
- Describe the conventions of Commedia dell’arte.
Essential Questions
- How does history and culture impact the development of theatrical works?
Enduring Understandings
- Historical and cultural events dramatically influence the development of theatrical works.
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Theatre Proficient standards: 21, 22, 24.
