Character Development Lesson Plans

Superhero Public/Private

by Lindsay Price

Students will create a character based on a superhero. They are to establish their walk, how they use their super power, how they talk, and know some background details. Once this “public” side is established, students will add in the “private.” What is this superhero like, at home, when they are alone and not in the public eye? There has to be something surprising and unexpected in their presentation.

# Character Development # character development

Lesson 3 of 4 in Character Development with an Indigenous Perspective Unit

Symbolism and Animal Representation Using Viewpoints

by Allison Green

Now that students have spent time understanding the literal meaning of the character traits discussed as the seven Grandfather teachings, this lesson moves into a more metaphorical representation of animals and how they relate to the teachings. The technique of Viewpoints is introduced to play and interpret this knowledge.

The Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers (Script)
Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings Reference Cards
Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings Chart

# Character Development # bipoc

Tactic Fairies

by Anna Porter

Students will understand how tactics are active and how to use them to achieve their character’s objective.

Students consider the tactics they use to get what they want in their everyday lives and then demonstrate how to use various tactics for an assigned objective by playing “Tactic Fairies.” Two students act out a scene, while their "fairies" make them change their tactic 4 or 5 times to get what they want. This instills that a character can't just repeat the same tactic over and over again, or try one tactic and stop. The consequence of certain tactics is also introduced.

# Character Development # character development # analysis

Tactics

by Elisabeth Oppelt

Tactics are how characters get what they want from other people on stage. They are verbs used to describe how a character behaves to get others to do what they want. In this lesson students will learn what tactics are and be able to create a list of possible tactics.

# Character Development # character development

The Difference Between Want & Need

by Lindsay Price

One approach to character development is to identify the difference between what characters want vs. what they need. Sometimes students get the two mixed up. Which is more important? Do plays always identify characters as having both? In this lesson plan, students identify the difference between want and need, then apply that knowledge with scenes/monologues.

# Character Development # character development

Lesson 1 of 12 in The Dilemma Project Unit

The Magic If Exercise

by Claire Broome

This lesson introduces the project and begins character development exercises, including Stanislavski's Magic If.

Door Posters
Slide Deck Lesson 1

# Character Development

Lesson 1 of 5 in Monologues - Part 2 Unit

The Rashomon Monologue

by Lindsay Price

Students will learn the Rashomon plot device, then put it into practice through improvised character monologues.

Slide Deck Lesson 1

# Character Development # monologue

The Speed Date

by Stephanie-Ann Cocking

Students create a character and maintain that character throughout an activity.

Students create an original character by filling out a form. These characters participate in a speed date round. Female characters sit in an outer circle of chairs. Male characters rotate clockwise through an inner circle of chairs.The characters introduce themselves and talk for one minute before moving on to the next meeting. Teacher pairs students up and in their pairs student plans and present a short improv: The First Date.

# Character Development # character development # improv

Using Statistics as Scene Starters

by Kerry Hishon

This lesson provides two different exercises for students to try: Silly Statistics (Improv Game) and Serious Statistics (Theatre Exploration Project). The objective of this lesson is to give students the chance to think differently about how scenes can be developed and to show that ideas can come from just about anywhere—even supposedly “non-theatre-related” classes and topics.