Acting Lesson Plans
A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.
Mask Scenes
by Allison Williams
Short, simple scenes help the mask actors find character and start responding to each other in the moment as their characters. Students will explore solo, duo, and group scenes in their mask characters.
Mask Scenes
Memorization Techniques
by Lindsay Price
To apply memorization techniques as part of the goal of a staged scene with specific, dynamic blocking and three-dimensional characters. This lesson will focus on practicing a variety
of memorization techniques.
Memorization Techniques
Mid-Unit Assignment
by Todd Espeland
The mid-unit assignment requires students to prepare, rehearse, and memorize a scene using the tools learned in Part One of the unit.
Mid-Unit Assignment
Monologue Prep: Audition Set-Up
by Lindsay Price
Students will continue their journey toward the Mock Audition by exploring what they can do to prepare their monologue. They will practice their monologue and talk about dealing with nerves. This is the final lesson before the Mock Audition - you will review the audition procedure with the class and students will sign up for their audition slot.
Monologue Prep: Audition Set-Up
Monologue Prep: Character Profile
by Lindsay Price
After students choose their monologues, the next step is to prepare. More often than not, students think that preparing means learning the lines and throwing in a few moves. When students do this in an audition, it shows. The character is one-dimensional and the movement looks out of place. You want to see three-dimensional characters. You want to see characters brought to life both physically and vocally. In this lesson, students are given time to practice their monologue and start working on the who, what, when, where, and why.
Monologue Prep: Character Profile
Monologue Prep: Vocal Profile
by Lindsay Price
Students will continue their journey toward the Mock Audition by exploring what they can do to prepare their monologue. Once students have completed the Character Profile, have them complete the Physical Profile. This will solidify how the character stands, gestures, and moves.
Monologue Prep: Vocal Profile
Monologue Prep: Vocal Profile, Slate, and Thank You
by Lindsay Price
Students will continue their journey toward the Mock Audition by exploring what they can do to prepare their monologue. The last profile students complete will be the Vocal Profile. This will solidify how the character communicates orally.
Monologue Prep: Vocal Profile, Slate, and Thank You
Monologue Writing
by Matthew Banaszynski
Students will start writing their own monologue, using a pre-selected phrase as a starting point.
Monologue Writing
Monologue Writing: Character Specific Voice
by Lindsay Price
Students will complete exercises that demonstrate how a character-specific voice results in a better monologue. They will then revise their monologues to apply this knowledge.
Monologue Writing: Character Specific Voice
Monologue Writing: The Need to Speak
by Lindsay Price
Students will complete exercises that demonstrate how a character’s need to speak results in a better
monologue. They will then write a monologue that applies this knowledge.
Monologue Writing: The Need to Speak
More Minds Are Better Than One
by Matthew Banaszynski
Students will work in groups to turn their previous drafts into completed monologues.
More Minds Are Better Than One
Objectives and Tactics
by Annie Dragoo
During this lesson, the student will perform open scenes to practice using multiple tactics to achieve the character’s objectives in a scene.
Objectives and Tactics
Objects and Consistency
by Anna Porter
Students will explore the details associated with objects through a “Magic Box” activity. Students will then explore the importance of consistency in pantomime by preparing a simple action for performance. They will practice ensemble work and consistency by preparing a group task pantomime, then performing it in synchronized form.
- Simple Actions
Objects and Consistency
Onstage Action
by Karen Loftus
After a warm up, student learn about onstage action. They will reflect on the question of how having something “to do” onstage can help overcome stage fright.
Onstage Action
Pantomime Final Showing
by Angel Borths
To apply knowledge through performance.
Pantomime Final Showing
Pantomime First Showing
by Angel Borths
To apply knowledge toward a pantomime performance.
- Peer Feedback Form
Pantomime First Showing
Pantomime Fix Day 1
by Angel Borths
To apply feedback and make revisions.
- Pantomime Self Critique
Pantomime Fix Day 1
Pantomime Fix Day 2
by Angel Borths
To apply feedback and make revisions.
Pantomime Fix Day 2
Pantomime Story and Performance
by Anna Porter
Students will create a simple pantomime story and prepare a pantomime for performance.
Pantomime Story and Performance
Peer Review Rehearsal
by Annie Dragoo
In this lesson, students will spend time rehearsing their abstract scenes. They will have an opportunity to both perform for their peers and to evaluate another group’s abstract scene using the performance rubric.
