Character Development Lesson Plans
A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.
Memorization Techniques
by Matt Webster
This session will focus on practicing a variety of memorization techniques.
Memorization Techniques
Monologue Character Beyond the Norm
by Drama Teacher Academy
Students will reflect on common societal norms and expectations. Who decided these norms? Why do we follow them? What happens when we don’t? They will then write a monologue for a character who doesn’t fit within the common societal norms and expectations construct.
- Social Awareness Document
Monologue Character Beyond the Norm
Monologues, Scenes, and More
by Lindsay Price
Students will spend this lesson writing for their three characters (superhero, sidekick, villain) before choosing one for their culminating assignment. This lesson provides a number of options in terms of scene writing, design, and improv for you to choose from
- Instruction Handouts
- Video: Entry Prompt
- Video: Scene Writing
- Video: Entry Prompt 2
- Video: Design
- Video: Choose Your Character
- Video: Checklist
Monologues, Scenes, and More
Neutral Mask
by Stephanie-Ann Cocking
Students will receive an introduction to neutral mask and explore the importance of the body as a communication medium.
Students participate in three exercises that explore neutral mask: Reflecting emotion through the body, Reacting to music, and a short mime that combines an emotion and a household chore.
Students will write a short reflection after the activities are completed.
Neutral Mask
Nigerian Praise Poem
by Desiree Dabney
In this lesson, students will create and perform their own “Nigerian Praise Poem.” Students will be able to express physically, verbally, and emotionally and think critically about who they are and what makes them unique.
Nigerian Praise Poem
Nonverbal Communication
by Lindsay Price
In this lesson, students will explore nonverbal communication. How do students determine what others are thinking and feeling? Can they read body language and other forms of nonverbal communication? When they look at a photo can they identify what someone is thinking?
- Locations and Landscapes (Images)
- Individuals (Images)
Nonverbal Communication
Object/Emotion Monologue
by Stephanie-Ann Cocking
Students will practice speaking in front of their peers as they explore personification and emotion in a monologue.
After seeing a model exercise, Students choose an object and an emotion as the base for their monologue. Students play the part of the object and decide on a story that explains why they feel their current emotion. Students demonstrate stage presence, vocal presence and creating a relevant story.
Object/Emotion Monologue
Objectives
by Elisabeth Oppelt
A character’s objective is what a character wants. It is based in what they want from another person, using the formula “I want [person] to do [thing I want them to do.]” The objective is what drives all of their action while on stage. In this lesson students will learn what objectives are and how to write one for a character.
Objectives
Open Body and Blocking Review
by Lindsay Johnson
In this lesson, students will review the “open body” element of projection. Using this technique, students will make it easier for audiences to see and understand their actions in the scene.
Open Body and Blocking Review
Open, Neutral Scenes
by Allison Green
A final step can be used as an evaluation of student understanding of the character traits presented in the Seven Grandfather Teachings by approaching an Open, Neutral Scene. Students are paired and given one of the open, neutral scenes included in this unit. Neutral scenes can have dictated conflict or character traits added to them by the teacher for students, but in the most “open” sense, allow students to develop the story and create strong focused characters.
- Neutral Open Scenes
- Seven Grandfather Teachings Circles
- Scene Work Rubric
- Creative Process Circle
- Creative Process Assessment Checklist
Open, Neutral Scenes
Performing the Scene
by Matt Webster
Students perform their scenes and complete a post-performance reflection.
Performing the Scene
Perspective Taking and Characters
by Lindsay Price
In this lesson, students will analyze characters, identify their perspectives, and demonstrate perspective taking by understanding their points of view.
- Scene for Activity
Perspective Taking and Characters
Plot Outline
by Claire Broome
Before students start writing their script, they will develop a plot outline using the points of plot development. They will review the conventions of script writing and the criteria for the project.
Plot Outline
Posters
by Lindsay Johnson
8 posters for the drama classroom, to support the objectives of the Introduction to Scripted Scenes unit.
Preparing a Scene
by Lindsay Price
What tools do students need to properly prepare a scene? What exercises? This multi-class lesson plan models and practices those tools and exercises with the full class before they have to take on a scene for assessment.
Preparing a Scene
Project
by Matt Webster
To demonstrate comprehension and understanding of content and concepts through the analysis and performance of an open scene.
Project
Purposeful Action
by Matt Webster
Students will review their blocking choices with a specific objective of making every action in the scene purposeful and theatrical.
Purposeful Action
Question Your Character (Without Judgement)
by Kerry Hishon
To consider the difference between thinking critically about a character and judging a character.
Question Your Character (Without Judgement)
Reflection in Role: Character Development Through Script Analysis
by Lindsay Price
Playwrights leave hints and tips in the text as signposts for character building. But how do you find those hints? How do you use them to develop a character?
In this lesson plan, students will examine scenes from my plays, identify character development clues, and apply those clues. The included teaching script will show you those character clues so you know what students are looking for. The Scenes are included in the plan as well as a reflection rubric.
The analysis areas are: facts and concrete assumptions, sentence structure, and strong forms need strong characters.
Reflection in Role: Character Development Through Script Analysis
Rehearsal and Previews
by Claire Broome
In this lesson, students will complete a line test, rehearse with specific goals, and present a preview performance.
