Acting Lesson Plans
A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.
Status and Swing in Character
by Todd Espeland
In this lesson, students apply previously learned comedy elements of status and swing to Commedia characters.
Status and Swing in Character
Status Games
by Todd Espeland
In this lesson students further explore status and using status to communicate physically through a variety of games. Students are also introduced to the game “Do It Get It Done” which will be re-visited throughout the unit.
Stock Character Walks
by Karen Loftus
Students continue their exploration of commedia dell’arte by practicing the specific character walks of Arlecchino, Pantalone, and Capitano.
Stock Character Walks
Subtext: What’s hiding underneath?
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss and participate in exercises that apply subtext in a conversation.
The assignment for the lesson is a one minute scene - two people at a restaurant, preparing to order. Each pair chooses one of the provided subtexts to play in the scene. Their job is to present the scene so that the subtext is clear.
Includes two assessment rubrics.
Subtext: What’s hiding underneath?
Swing
by Todd Espeland
be important later on when it comes to applying the Commedia Dell’arte style to characters and lazzi. This lesson introduces the third tool: swing. Swing is the idea that a comedic character can move between two emotions, or two needs,immediately.
- Laugh Cry Video Demo
- Do it Swing Video Demo
Swing
Tableau
by Karen Loftus
Students continue exploring nonverbal communication through tableaux.
Tableau
Take the Active Choice
by Karen Loftus
Students discuss what it means to take the active choice and apply the concept in Quiet Scenes.
Take the Active Choice
The Acting Resume
by Todd Espeland
What should go on and what should stay off of an acting resume? What is an auditioner looking for? Students will discuss the purpose of an acting resume, review a model, create their own and reflect on the process.
The Acting Resume
The Acting Resume
by Todd Espeland
An actor needs two documents when they audition for a role: a resume and a headshot. What should go on an acting resume and what should stay off of it? What is an auditioner looking for? Students will discuss the purpose of an acting resume, review a model, and reflect on the process. Students will use this template when they create a resume for their mock audition.
- Resume Handout
The Acting Resume
The Actor and the Stage
by Annie Dragoo
In this lesson, students have an opportunity to explore all the different areas of the stage and the positions which an actor uses to command attention.
- Daily Physical and Vocal Warm-ups
- Finish the Fourth Wall
- Stage Standing Positions
- Blank Stage Areas Handout
The Actor and the Stage
The Actor's Voice
by Annie Dragoo
In this lesson, students have an opportunity to practice vocal expression by reciting nursery rhymes with three different vocal varieties. They will receive instant feedback from their peers and teacher.
- Nursery Rhymes
The Actor's Voice
The Audition Slate
by Annie Dragoo
Making a first impression is the most important part of an audition. By learning to slate with confidence, students will learn how to introduce themselves in an musical theatre audition.
The Audition Slate
The Beats in Every Scene
by John Minigan
Students will work in pairs to create and perform two-minute scenes focused on clear objectives, clear obstacles, multiple tactics – and they will learn to give focused feedback.
- Short Scenes
The Beats in Every Scene
The Criteria of a Good Monologue
by Lindsay Price
Students will learn and then identify the elements of a good monologue. They will assess an existing monologue together as a class, and then they will work individually on a monologue.
The Criteria of a Good Monologue
The Eight Efforts
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will learn, explore, and apply Laban’s eight efforts and their specific elements through an Impulse Improv exercise.
- Eight Efforts Blank Sheet
- Laban Quick Sheet
- Laban Efforts Descriptions
- Impulse Improv
- The Eight Efforts
The Eight Efforts
The Environment of Sound
by Lindsay Price
Certain sounds are always connected to certain objects - the slam of a door, cowbell, a ringing phone. How does the environment change if the sounds are changed? Does the change of sound change the scene?
Includes a list of websites to use for free sound effects.
The Environment of Sound
The Fourth Wall
by Elisabeth Oppelt
The fourth wall is an imaginary wall that stands between the actors and the audience. As actors we tend not to speak to, look at or acknowledge the audience when we are performing. We want the audience to be observers but not necessarily involved in the scene. There are times however when we want to speak directly to the audience. When we do, that is called breaking the fourth wall. It is a technique that can be useful in specific instances but should not be abused by actors.
The Fourth Wall
The Mock Audition
by Lindsay Price
Today is the Mock Audition. In this lesson, you will play director and audition students for one of four roles in the play ‘Jealousy Jane.’ Use the Monologue Performance Rubric to assess their performance.
The Mock Audition
The Musical Theatre Audition Slate
by Annie Dragoo
Making a first impression is the most important part of an audition. By learning to slate with confidence, students will learn how to introduce themselves in an musical theatre audition.
The Musical Theatre Audition Slate
The Power of Relaxation
by Ruthie Tutterow
Students will engage in a guided relaxation. Through this exercise, students will gain insight into some relaxation techniques and what intentional relaxation may enable them to do more easily.
