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Character Development Lesson Plans

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

"I am From" Poem

by Desiree Dabney

In this lesson, students will create their own solo performance piece called “I Am From” and explore the different ways to tell a story through self-expression. This allows students to think about who they are and how they can communicate themselves theatrically. In African theatre, there are many ways to tell a story; this poem template allows the student to answer specific questions that will transform into a solo monologue which will be used for a performance.

  • Slide Deck
# Character Development # bipoc
Lesson 3 of 6 in Character Creation: Superhero Series: Multi platform Unit

Adding Support with a Super Sidekick

by Lindsay Price

Students continue work by completing a character profile for a superhero sidekick, then experiment with creating physical and vocal attributes before writing a monologue.

# Character Development # character development
Lesson 2 of 5 in Character Analysis - Part 1 Unit

An Organic Approach to Objective, Obstacle, Stakes, and Action/Tactic

by John Minigan

To introduce the idea of “objective/goal, obstacle, stakes, and action/tactic” as a powerful building block for actors and to introduce the concept of working with verbs as tactics

  • Slide Deck Lesson 2
# Character Development # analysis

Approaching Random Tasks in Character

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of this lesson is for students to delve deeper into their roles by experimenting with performing a variety of everyday tasks while in character. As well, it offers students the chance to explore different ways of moving and thinking while in character.

# Character Development # character development # acting
Lesson 12 of 12 in The Dilemma Project Unit

BONUS Video: How to Execute the Dilemma Project (PLC)

by Claire Broome

A conversation with Claire Broome, on how to execute the Dilemma Project in your classroom.

# Character Development

Character Analysis - Musical Theatre Version

by Annie Dragoo

Use this lesson plan as a response activity connected to viewing a video of a musical in class. For example: At the end of semester or if you need a lesson plan during tech week - watch the musical and then do the exercise.

After viewing a musical, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character from a musical by creating a visual character profile.

# Character Development # Musical Theatre # musical theatre # analysis

Character Analysis – Play Version

by Annie Dragoo

Use this lesson plan as a response activity connected to a play that you are studying in class.
After reading the play, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character from a play by creating a visual character profile.

# Character Development # analysis

Character Improv

by Marisa Peck

Students will choose a character and become that character (physically and vocally). They will then collaborate with other characters in the classroom to create and perform an improvised scene.

Students explore known characters, characters based on traits, and non-human characters both physically and vocally before choosing their own. Lesson also explores the principle of "Yes...And."

# Character Development # character development # improv
Lesson 3 of 8 in Character Analysis - Part 2 Unit

Character Physicalization

by Matt Webster

Students will continue working on staging techniques by exploring character physicality.

  • Slide Deck Lesson 3
# Character Development
Lesson 4 of 12 in The Dilemma Project Unit

Character Relationships and Dynamics

by Claire Broome

In this lesson, students will explore character relationships before they start writing their scripts by answering 20 questions. They will also think about character specific vocabulary.

  • Slide Deck Lesson 4
# Character Development
Lesson 2 of 4 in Character Development with an Indigenous Perspective Unit

Character Traits - Seven Grandfather Teachings

by Allison Green

These lessons move from the story into activity. Students will try interpreting, actively modelling, and practicing stepping into the character traits of Love, Wisdom, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth.

# Character Development # bipoc
Lesson 2 of 10 in Unit Four: Intro to Scripted Scenes Unit

Contentless Scene Brainstorm

by Lindsay Johnson

Students will be able to brainstorm fitting characters, setting, and conflict for a contentless scene. Students will use a variety of methods they’ve learned in the previous unit to communicate meaning: setting, pantomime, relationship clues, objectives, stakes, and tactics.

  • Slide Deck
# Character Development # middle school friendly
Lesson 3 of 10 in Unit Four: Intro to Scripted Scenes Unit

Contentless Scene Content Peer Review

by Lindsay Johnson

In this lesson, students will perform for peers and give and receive feedback on the Scene Details Rubric. Students will be using a variety of methods they’ve learned in the previous unit to communicate meaning in a contentless scene: setting, pantomime, relationship clues, objectives, stakes, and tactics.

  • Slide Deck
# Character Development # middle school friendly

Creating Character Movement Through Archetypes

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students learn to identify characters with an archetype. They participate in various exercises to help them understand that archetypes all move and speak differently. Students will explore the statement “movement brings meaning to our life.” Use this lesson to explore character movement, types of character movement, and applying character movement to their own work.

# Character Development # movement
Lesson 4 of 6 in Character Creation: Superhero Series: Multi platform Unit

Creating Conflict with the Supervillain

by Lindsay Price

Students continue work by completing a character profile for a supervillain, then experiment with creating physical and vocal attributes before writing a monologue.

# Character Development # character development
Lesson 6 of 6 in Character Creation: Superhero Series: Multi platform Unit

Culminating Assignment

by Lindsay Price

Using their chosen character, students write an original monologue for this character, design a costume and a prop/tool, and perform their monologue with specific physical and vocal quality choices.

# Character Development # character development

Emergency Lesson Plan: Character Study

by Lindsay Price

In this ELP, students will read a scene with two characters. Students will read the scene and then analyze the characters. Who are they? What specific character traits do they have? What evidence is there in the text to support your opinion? Students will then reflect on the characters: Who do they connect with most? Who do they connect with least? Who would you want to play/not want to play and why?

  • Character Study Handout
# Character Development # Emergency Lesson Plans # character development # emergency lesson plan

Emergency Lesson Plan: Compare and Contrast (Shakespeare)

by Lindsay Price

In this ELP, students will read and discuss a scene from the Shakespeare Play Much Ado About Nothing and a modern adaptation of that text - Much Ado High School by Lindsay Price.

# Character Development # Emergency Lesson Plans # analysis # Shakespeare
Lesson 6 of 8 in Character Analysis - Part 2 Unit

Feedback Session

by Matt Webster

In this class, they are going to present their scenes in front of multiple groups and receive their feedback. They will then review their feedback and decide on what changes they’ll make to their scenes.

# Character Development
Lesson 11 of 12 in The Dilemma Project Unit

Final Performance and Reflection

by Claire Broome

In this lesson, groups will perform and reflect on their performance.

  • Slide Deck Lesson 11
# Character Development