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Acting Lesson Plans

A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.

Lesson 2 of 7 in Introduction to Mask Unit

Exploring the Architecture of the Mask

by Allison Williams

Students will learn how to identify the architecture of a mask—that is to choose specific shapes that they can mimic in their bodies to find a mask character.

# Acting
Lesson 14 of 14 in Commedia dell'Arte Unit

Final Assignment

by Todd Espeland

There are two possible assignments for this unit. One that will take a week of class time, including performances and one that can be completed in a class period.

# Acting # commedia
Lesson 7 of 7 in Tools of Scene Work Unit

Final Performance

by Anna Porter

Students will perform and be evaluated on the contentless scene that they have prepared during the unit.

# Acting # acting # scene work
Lesson 7 of 7 in Introduction to Mask Unit

Final Project

by Allison Williams

Students will take everything they’ve learned and use it to create an original mask duo scene.

# Acting
Lesson 4 of 4 in Musical Theatre Unit

Final Project

by Anna Porter

This unit includes the opportunity for students to choose and perform a musical theatre piece using the oral techniques and textual analysis that they learned in the lesson.

# Acting # musical theatre
Lesson 14 of 15 in Scene Staging Unit

Final Rehearsal

by Lindsay Price

This is it! The final rehearsal before students perform. Students focus on getting those last few lines word perfect, reflect on where they are, and do final run-throughs.

# Acting
Lesson 3 of 4 in Acting for the Camera Unit

Finding Your Quality

by Ruthie Tutterow

After discussing their favorite actors, students will record themselves having a conversation. Then they will transcribe their conversation and perform it as a script. These “scenes” will be recorded. Students will then be assigned to describe the “quality” of a fellow student.

# Acting # acting
Lesson 3 of 4 in Virtual Acting for the Camera Unit

Finding Your Quality

by Ruthie Tutterow

After discussing the essence and quality of their favorite actors, students will record themselves having a conversation. Then they will transcribe their conversation and perform it as a script. These “scenes” will be recorded. Students will then be assigned to describe the “quality” of a fellow student.

# Acting # acting
Lesson 1 of 4 in Pantomime Unit

Gesture

by Karen Loftus

Students discuss and apply the different ways one can communicate through gesture.

# Acting # acting # pantomime # popular
Lesson 1 of 5 in Script Analysis: The Actor's Perspective Unit

Getting to Know a Character

by Karen Loftus

Students learn the 5 ways we learn about a character in a script.

  • Slide Deck Lesson 1
# Acting # Analysis # analysis # acting
Lesson 3 of 9 in Pantomime Unit

Ground Plans & Stage Directions

by Angel Borths

To learn how ground plans and stage directions can be used for pantomime.

# Acting # pantomime # acting
Lesson 7 of 14 in Commedia dell'Arte Unit

History of Commedia

by Todd Espeland

This lesson presents the history of Commedia; where it came from and introduces the main characters. It comes with a viewing quiz and reflection.

# Acting # commedia

How to Practice Cold Reading

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of this lesson is to introduce the concept of cold reading to your students, and provide them with an opportunity to
practice and perform cold readings within the classroom.

# Acting # acting
Lesson 4 of 7 in Improvisation in Musical Theatre Unit

Improv for Character Study

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate ability to develop a character by participating in various improvisation exercises.

# Improvisation # Acting # improv # musical theatre
Lesson 5 of 7 in Improvisation in Musical Theatre Unit

Improv Using Sensory Awareness

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate sensory awareness by improvising an everyday activity while paying attention to as many sensory details as possible.

# Improvisation # Acting # improv # musical theatre
Lesson 3 of 7 in Improvisation in Musical Theatre Unit

Improv with Movement

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate ability to improvise movement by participating in a various activities.

# Improvisation # Acting # improv # musical theatre
Lesson 2 of 7 in Improvisation in Musical Theatre Unit

Improv with Vocal Responses

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate ability to respond vocally by participating in various improvisation activities.

# Improvisation # Acting # improv # musical theatre
Lesson 6 of 7 in Improvisation in Musical Theatre Unit

Improvisation Scenes

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate ability to use voice, body, and imagination/mind together by planning and performing an improvised scene.

# Improvisation # Acting # improv # musical theatre
Lesson 3 of 3 in Theatrical Arguments: Pursuing Objectives, Communication, and Conflict Unit

Improvised Arguments

by Rachel Atkins

In this final lesson, students explore two different characters whose opposing points of view or arguments create a conflict. They will identify the objectives or arguments for each character. They will act out a scene between those two characters multiple times, playing both characters. Finally, they will write an argument from one character’s point of view – and support it with evidence.

# Acting # acting # improv

Inflection in Naked Scenes

by Marisa Peck

To identify and interpret inflection in a dialogue and be able to translate that into a script.

Students work with a partner to interpret inflection in a "naked scene" and translate that inflection adding stage directions to the script. Students have to clarify their stage directions so that another pair can pick up the scene and deliver the intended intention.

# Acting # acting