Acting Lesson Plans

Lesson 6 of 7 in Introduction to Mask Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Acting

Lesson 8 of 15 in Scene Staging Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 8

# Acting

Lesson 6 of 14 in Commedia dell'Arte Unit

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.

# Acting # commedia

Lesson 9 of 11 in Mock Audition Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 9

# Acting # audition # acting

Lesson 6 of 11 in Mock Audition Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Acting # audition # acting

Lesson 7 of 11 in Mock Audition Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 7

# Acting # audition # acting

Lesson 8 of 11 in Mock Audition Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 8

# Acting # audition # acting

Lesson 4 of 7 in Monologue Writing Made Easy Unit

Monologue Writing

by Matthew Banaszynski

Students will start writing their own monologue, using a pre-selected phrase as a starting point.

Slide Deck Lesson 4

# Playwriting # Acting # monologue # playwriting # acting

Lesson 4 of 5 in Monologues - Part 2 Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 4

# Acting # monologue

Lesson 3 of 5 in Monologues - Part 2 Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 3

# Acting # monologue

Lesson 6 of 7 in Monologue Writing Made Easy Unit

More Minds Are Better Than One

by Matthew Banaszynski

Students will work in groups to turn their previous drafts into completed monologues.

Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Playwriting # Acting # monologue # playwriting # acting

Lesson 4 of 7 in Foundations of Acting Unit

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.

# Acting # acting

Lesson 4 of 6 in Pantomime Unit

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
Slide Deck Lesson 4

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 1 of 3 in Stage Movement Unit

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.

Slide Deck Lesson 1

# Acting # acting

Lesson 9 of 9 in Pantomime Unit

Pantomime Final Showing

by Angel Borths

To apply knowledge through performance.

Slide Deck Lesson 9

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 6 of 9 in Pantomime Unit

Pantomime First Showing

by Angel Borths

To apply knowledge toward a pantomime performance.

Peer Feedback Form
Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 7 of 9 in Pantomime Unit

Pantomime Fix Day 1

by Angel Borths

To apply feedback and make revisions.

Pantomime Self Critique
Slide Deck Lesson 7

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 8 of 9 in Pantomime Unit

Pantomime Fix Day 2

by Angel Borths

To apply feedback and make revisions.

Slide Deck Lesson 8

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 6 of 6 in Pantomime Unit

Pantomime Story and Performance

by Anna Porter

Students will create a simple pantomime story and prepare a pantomime for performance.

Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Acting # pantomime # acting

Lesson 4 of 5 in Abstract Scene Performance Unit

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.

# Acting # acting # scene work