Analysis Lesson Plans

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

Lesson 1 of 5 in The Role of the Theatre Critic Unit

In this introduction lesson, students will begin with terminology, discussion about their own knowledge and views, and try out the role of the critic in a low-stakes exercise. Is it possible to give an informed opinion about a crumpled up piece of paper?

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Lesson 2 of 8 in The Crucible Unit Unit

Introduction and Allegory

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will be introduced to The Crucible. They will examine and discuss a fact sheet on the play and explore allegory.

Slide Deck Lesson 2

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Introduction to Close Reading

by Lindsay Price

Students will work on their critical thinking skills through close reading. Teachers will first model the technique with a sentence, students will practice the technique in groups and then apply their knowledge with a close reading of a monologue. This lesson comes with an individual assignment and close reading handout.

# Analysis # close reading # monologue # analysis

Introduction to The Bald Soprano: Cliché and Stereotype Exercise

by Lindsay Price

Students will compile modern-day clichés and stereotyped phrases and use these words/phrases to create a scene. The point of the exercise is to take something unfamiliar like the Theatre of the Absurd and identify a point of connection. A technique that we know well (the use of cliche and stereotype) is something Theatre of the Absurd Playwrights also know well. Use this exercise as a precursor to studying The Bald Soprano. You’ll need a scene from The Bald Soprano for the end of this lesson.

# Analysis # analysis

John Douglas Thompson: Diversity in Shakespeare

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to John Douglas Thompson specifically through the lens of diversity in Shakespeare. Students will research and share their findings on his career, read and discuss quotes on the topic of diversity in Shakespeare, and create their own scenes to respond to the concept of being in a space where you might not previously have been welcomed.

# Analysis # bipoc

Lesson 5 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Acting

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will continue their examination of the individual elements that work together to create mise-en-scène. The next element is acting. Students will apply their knowledge of how acting helps visualize the story and create impact.

Lesson 5 Slide Deck

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Lesson 6 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Composition

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will continue their examination of the individual elements that work together to create mise-en-scène. The next element is composition. Students will apply their knowledge of how composition helps to visualize the story and create impact.

Lesson 6 Slide Deck

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Lesson 4 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Costumes

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will continue their examination of the individual elements that work together to create mise-en-scène. The next element is costumes. Students will apply their knowledge of how costumes help visualize the story and create impact.

Lesson 4 Slide Deck

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Lesson 7 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Culminating Activity

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will demonstrate what they have learned about mise-en-scène with a culminating analysis activity. Students will analyze a scene from a film, identify elements of mise-en-scène, and determine the visual impact and emotional engagement in the scene based on the elements.

# Analysis

Lesson 3 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Lighting

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will continue their examination of the individual elements that work together to create mise-en-scène. The next element is lighting. Students will apply their knowledge of how lighting helps visualize the story and create impact.

Lesson 3 Slide Deck

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Lesson 2 of 7 in Introduction to Film Analysis: Mise en scène Unit

Mise-en-scène: Setting & Location

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will continue their examination of the individual elements that work together to create mise-en-scène. The first elements are setting and location. Students will apply their knowledge of how location helps visualize the story and create impact.

Lesson 2 Slide Deck

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Play Analysis of The Post Office by Rabindranath Tagore

by Quincy Young

Students will begin the lesson by applying research skills to produce a mini-project presentation on author Rabindranath Tagore, his work as a playwright, and themes explored in his play The Post Office. Students will read the play with an analytical eye and rehearse a scene to perform as a staged reading.

The Post Office Script

# Analysis # bipoc # analysis

Lesson 3 of 8 in The Crucible Unit Unit

Researching the World of the Play

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will learn about the various background elements for The Crucible through readings and research. Students will then infer, based on what they’ve learned, what is going to happen in the play.

Slide Deck Lesson 3

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Susie King Taylor: Memoir of Service

by Desiree Dabney

Students will learn basic critical-thinking and communication skills through learning the life of Susie King Taylor. Students will be able to identify key events that occurred during the life of Susie King Taylor after reading an original article and completing questions. This lesson explores how Susie King Taylor became the first Black nurse during the American Civil War and changed education. The lesson gives students the opportunity to create and present their own memoirs.

Article
Article Reading Questions and Answers

# Analysis # bipoc

Lesson 5 of 5 in The Role of the Theatre Critic Unit

The 21st Century Critic: Culminating Assignment

by Lindsay Price

We have now made it to the 21st century. The 21st century is a time of great change for criticism and the role of the theatre critic. There is the tumultuous world of social media criticism with both pros and cons. People consistently choose online options over print. The audience has become the critic. What does that mean for the professional critic? Do we need professional informed opinions of art in the 21st century? Are audience reviews as valuable as critic reviews? Students are given a variety of culminating assignment options in order to apply what they have learned throughout the unit.

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The History of Blackface in Theatre

by Quincy Young

Students will read an article about the history of blackface in American Theatre and use critical thinking skills to annotate the article. Students will then produce a written reflection on why the use of blackface was and continues to be a problematic issue in American Theatre.

# Analysis # bipoc # analysis # reflection

The Masque of Red Death and Coronavirus

by Lindsay Price

In this compare and contrast lesson, students will read a dramatization of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of Red Death. This story is the ultimate example of “social distancing.” Students will compare and contrast the dramatization to the current events surrounding Coronavirus and then write an adaptation focusing on modern viruses.

# Playwriting # Analysis

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

Lesson 3 of 5 in Script Analysis: The Actor's Perspective Unit

The Stanislavski Method

by Karen Loftus

Students continue their exploration with script analysis by learning about objective, obstacle, stakes, and tactics and applying it to an exercise.

Slide Deck Lesson 3

# Acting # Analysis # acting # analysis