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30 Lesson Plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes

Part of Japanese Theatre Unit

Bunraku

by Karen Loftus

In this introductory lesson, students learn about Bunraku theatre, discuss its primary elements, and then do an exercise that puts those elements into practice.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Circular Plot Lines

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of circular plot lines that appear to go nowhere and end in unresolved situations.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Circular Plot Lines in The Arsonist

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of circular plot lines that appear to go nowhere and end in unresolved situations by using the text from Max Frisch’s The Arsonists.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Cliches, Stereotypes, and Overused Phrases

by Lea Marshall

To compare modern-day clichés and stereotyped phrases to those used in Theatre of the Absurd Plays to convey that style’s message of language’s meaninglessness.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Cliches, Stereotypes, and Overused Phrases in Waiting for Godot

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using cliches, stereotypes, or overused repeated phrases to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings in the text of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Create and Character/Object Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students will bring in an object that they can turn into a puppet. Using the object puppet, students will create an original character and establish movement patterns and character voice. Character Worksheet and Practice Sheets are included, to perform their original puppet characters.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Final Project: The Play's the Thing...

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore elements of Absurdism in their chosen Absurd play.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Finger Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

If you have the resources, purchase finger puppets for this lesson. It can also be easily done with drawn faces on index fingers, or faces on popsicle sticks. Using well known fairy tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” or “The Three Little Pigs,” students will retell these stories from a different perspective, using their finger puppet.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Hand Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students learn proper hand puppet technique and practice these techniques with a prewritten scene. Teachers can also choose to use traditional hand puppets, or students can make their own using socks/paper bags.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Impossibilities in Ionesco's Rhinoceros

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdist element of impossible things seen as normal or unremarkable in Ionesco’s play Rhinoceros.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Impossible Things are Happening Every Day

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdist plot convention of impossible things seen as normal or unremarkable.
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Introduction to Children's Theatre

by Bethany Kennedy

Students will learn about and then demonstrate their understanding of the Children’s Theatre audience through role play and writing a scene.
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Introduction to Expressionism

by Ruth Richards

Students will be introduced to the basic theory of Expressionism including expression of emotion, rapid disjointed dialogue, and stylistic movement. Students will practice moving and expressing emotion in an Expressionistic style. They will create a scene based on a nightmare using the principals of Expressionism. An oral presentation assignment is provided as follow up to this practical work. Lesson Plan comes with a practical task evaluation, assignment checklist, and rubric.
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Introduction to Melodrama

by Ruth Richards

Students are introduced to the basic theory of Melodrama and its characteristics; predictable plots, stock characters, and exaggeration. Students will role play the stock characters of melodrama both physically and vocally. They will rehearse and perform a Melodrama scenario and as a written assignment be asked to write their own melodrama scenario. Lesson Plan comes with practical assessment and written assignment rubric.
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Introduction to Pantomime

by Bethany Kennedy

Students will learn and practice pantomime skills by developing, communicating and sustaining the size and shape of mimed objects.
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Part of Japanese Theatre Unit

Kabuki

by Karen Loftus

In this introductory lesson, students learn about Kabuki theatre, discuss its primary elements, and then do an exercise that puts those elements into practice.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Meaningless Language

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using meaningless language to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Meaningless Language in The Bald Soprano

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the Absurdism theatrical convention of using meaningless language to communicate (or not communicate) a larger theme of interpersonal relationships and misunderstandings through the text of Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano.
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Part of Japanese Theatre Unit

Noh Theatre

by Karen Loftus

In this introductory lesson, students learn about Noh Theatre, discuss its primary elements, and then do an exercise that puts those elements into practice.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Out of Tune

by Lea Marshall

Students will explore the historical and philosophical background for the ABSURDIST style of theatre.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

PuppetQuest

by Jenny Goodfellow

Through a PuppetQuest, students will learn about the different types and origins of puppetry.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Puppetry Company

by Jenny Goodfellow

Using the guidelines provided and their previous scene, students will create a Puppet Company complete with a logo, the name of their production, and a picture that gives clues about the production. Students will also learn about professional puppet companies.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Putting it All Together

by Jenny Goodfellow

This final lesson is a culminating performance. Students practice their scene using their hand puppets, then perform. Those watching will fill out a feedback sheet, which is discussed after the performance. A Unit Reflection and a Performance Reflection are included.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Script Writing

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students will write their own puppet play using the same format as the prewritten scene. In pairs, students will go over guidelines for creating a character and writing a scene.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Shadow Hand Puppets

by Jenny Goodfellow

One of easiest and earliest forms of puppetry, students will learn to create shadow puppets using just their hands. After they have practiced their creations, they will create a group/partner scene using the shadow puppets.
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Part of Puppetry Unit

Shadow Puppet Cut-Outs

by Jenny Goodfellow

Students learn how shapes create interesting dynamics in shadow puppets. Students will have a packet of shadow puppet cut-outs. These cut-outs include animals that can be attached to a popsicle stick. In groups/partners, students will use the cut-outs in the packet to create a scene. They will also create an original cut-out.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

The Pause

by Lea Marshall

Students will examine the effect of pauses in a scene and demonstrate the Absurdist dialogue convention of strange and ill-timed pauses.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

The Pause from Waiting for Godot

by Lea Marshall

Students will examine the effect of pauses in a monologue from Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and demonstrate the Absurdist dialogue convention of strange and ill-timed pauses.
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Part of Japanese Theatre Unit

Unit Project - Options

by Karen Loftus

There are 4 projects and written work that are provided as possible final assignments for this unit.
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Part of Theatre of the Absurd Unit

Visual Absurdity

by Lea Marshall

To visually introduce the existential angst of World War II’s aftermath; to provide a historical setting for Theatre of the Absurd; as students, write a reflection monologue.
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