Search the Drama Teacher Academy

Dialogue

by Karen Loftus

Students continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about dialogue and applying their knowledge through a group playwriting exercise.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 2

# Analysis # bipoc # monologue

Close Reading Analysis of Monologue: Not Again

by Quincy Young

Close reading requires students to analyze a text more thoroughly then they might naturally be inclined to, and because of this, students will be required to read the text three times. The first reading focuses on what the text says, the second reading focuses on how the text works, and the third engages students in evaluating the text, comparing it with other texts, or thinking about its implications in their lives in relation to the text. This lesson applies the close reading technique to analyze a BIPOC-centred theatrical text.

# Playwriting # playwriting # character development

Crumpled Paper

by Karen Loftus

Some students dread writing. Just the thought of pencil and paper make them want to crumple up that paper and throw it. Well, now they can. In this exercise, students are introduced to story elements such as character, objective, obstacle/conflict, tactics, and resolution. Pairs of students add each new story element to an ever growing story that can be shared with the class. Reflection and Rubric included.

The Problematic Use of Brownfacing in Film

by Quincy Young

Students will view examples of Brownface in film and use critical thinking skills to annotate a text about the issues of Brownface in the film West Side Story. Students will then produce a written reflection on why the use of Brownface in the 1961 film version of West Side story is problematic and offer their opinion on why it perpetuates a negative stereotype of the Latinx community. Includes options for distance learning delivery.

# Analysis # bipoc

How Do You Give Feedback?

by Lindsay Price

The first draft is due in this class. The class will begin with a feedback exercise. Then students will read their draft aloud and receive feedback.

Introduction

by Lindsay Price

In this introduction lesson, students will discuss the challenges of writing a play. They will learn the definition of self-management and discuss how they use self-management in their day-to-day lives. Students will then choose a topic that they care about and identify what they know about it, what questions they have, and how they’re going to answer those questions.

Midway Reflection

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, which happens after students have spent some time on their own writing their plays, students will discuss their strategies and plans of action, identify any changes, discuss how they’re feeling about their writing, and complete a Midway Reflection.

# Playwriting # Group Activities # playwriting # group activities

Group Playwriting

by Karen Loftus

In this highly structured exercise, students work in groups and use clearly defined goals to create the dialogue of a scene. Each member of the group has an assigned task and contributes to the final creation.

# Character Development # bipoc

Nigerian Praise Poem

by Desiree Dabney

In this lesson, students will create and perform their own “Nigerian Praise Poem.” Students will be able to express physically, verbally, and emotionally and think critically about who they are and what makes them unique.

Attachments

Slide Deck

# Character Development # bipoc

"I am From" Poem

by Desiree Dabney

In this lesson, students will create their own solo performance piece called “I Am From” and explore the different ways to tell a story through self-expression. This allows students to think about who they are and how they can communicate themselves theatrically. In African theatre, there are many ways to tell a story; this poem template allows the student to answer specific questions that will transform into a solo monologue which will be used for a performance.

Attachments

Slide Deck

Dialogue

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will write two-character, one-location, ten-line scenes to practice getting to the heart of effective and efficient scene writing.

Attachments

Session 4 Slide Deck

The Guidelines of Theatrical Adaptation

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will learn a set of guidelines for theatrical adaptation for students to follow when they write their own. They will then apply those guidelines in a couple of smaller text section exercises.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 2

# Playwriting # Acting # monologue # playwriting # acting

Drafting a Monologue

by Matthew Banaszynski

Using their rough drafts from the starter prompts, students will work in pairs to edit their drafts to make cleaner stories. Students will also map out their drafts on a Story Mountain diagram to make sure that they follow the proper format.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 5

Dialogue

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson students will write two-character, one-location, ten-line scenes to practice getting to the heart of effective and efficient scene writing.

# Playwriting # playwriting # monologue

From Speech to Playwriting

by Lindsay Price

The speech is a great gateway to teach students about how to write a monologue. Use this lesson to identify the similarities between a speech and a monologue. Students will analyze a speech, identify what makes a good speech, and learn that the same qualities apply when it comes to writing a good monologue. They will write their own speech in pairs, and adapt their speech into a monologue.

Monologue

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will analyze existing monologues, identify the criteria for a good monologue, and write their own monologues in the practice session.

Attachments

Session 3 Slide Deck

Maintain Focus and Engagement

by Lindsay Price

Students have a goal, a strategy, a plan of action, and processes. It’s now time to start writing. Students will have one class period to start writing their play, and then they’re going to be on their own. Will students be able to maintain focus and engagement with their writing to get done what needs to be done without someone overseeing their work?