Playwriting Lesson Plans
A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.
Prose Into Theatre
by Lindsay Price
Use this lesson plan to get your students to practice the act of writing theatrical action. It's much different than writing a story.
Students learn that in plays characters "do" an action, they don't "describe" an action. Students practice taking prose descriptive sentences and re-writing them as theatrical action. Students are also introduced to proper play formatting.
Prose Into Theatre
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Rehearsal
by Corinna Rezzelle
In this lesson, students finalize casting, then start rehearsing. Focus the rehearsals on blocking. What is the necessary movement to communicate the content of the scene?
- Slide Deck Lesson 9
Rehearsal
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Rehearsal
by Corinna Rezzelle
In this lesson, students finalize casting, then start rehearsing. Focus the rehearsals on blocking. What is the necessary movement to communicate the content of the scene?
- Slide Deck Lesson 9
Rehearsal
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Rehearsal / Character Development
by Corinna Rezzelle
Students continue to rehearse. In this lesson, character development exercises deepen the students’ experiences and final products.
- Slide Deck Lesson 10
Rehearsal / Character Development
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Rehearsal / Character Development
by Corinna Rezzelle
Students continue to rehearse. In this lesson, character development exercises deepen the students’ experiences and final products.
- Slide Deck Lesson 10
Rehearsal / Character Development
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Rehearsal / Designing the play
by Corinna Rezzelle
Students continue to rehearse. They also move on to the design phase of the project. The group will decide upon costuming and props for the performance. NOTE: Keep costumes and props simple. Black works well for costumes with colourful accents.
- Slide Deck Lesson 11
Rehearsal / Designing the play
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Rehearsal / Designing the play
by Corinna Rezzelle
Students continue to rehearse. They also move on to the design phase of the project. The group will decide upon costuming and props for the performance. NOTE: Keep costumes and props simple. Black works well for costumes with colourful accents.
- Slide Deck Lesson 11
Rehearsal / Designing the play
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Revision
by Corinna Rezzelle
In this lesson students watch the Ren Run then discuss the topic of revision. What is the message of the play? How do the scenes communicate the message? Note: Depending on the amount of revisions your students feel the play needs, revising might take longer than one lesson. Feel free to add time, if need be.
- Slide Deck Lesson 8
Revision
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Revision
by Corinna Rezzelle
In this lesson students watch the Ren Run then discuss the topic of revision. What is the message of the play? How do the scenes communicate the message? Note: Depending on the amount of revisions your students feel the play needs, revising might take longer than one lesson. Feel free to add time, if need be.
- Slide Deck Lesson 9
Revision
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Script Drafting
by Lindsay Johnson
In this lesson, students will create a script draft that includes the five required lines to establish character, setting, conflict, rising action, and resolution.
- Slide Deck
Script Drafting
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Script Formatting
by Lindsay Johnson
In this lesson, students will create a script draft that includes scene setting, expression, and movement notes.
- Editable Script Template
- Slide Deck
Script Formatting
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Scripted Scene Performance Assessment
by Lindsay Johnson
In this lesson, students will perform their final partner scene for assessment in front of the class. They will also complete an audience feedback sheet where they give their peers feedback on rubric skills.
- Slide Deck
Scripted Scene Performance Assessment
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Session 1: Playwriting Project Introduction
by Lindsay Price
Students will receive the criteria for their play project and start work on their outline.
- Session 1 Slide Deck
Session 1: Playwriting Project Introduction
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Session 2: First Draft Writing
by Lindsay Price
Students will outline and begin writing their first draft.
- Session 2 Slide Deck
Session 2: First Draft Writing
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Session 3: What is Theatricality?
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss the question “What is theatricality?” in terms of what makes a play stageable. Students continue to work on their first draft.
- Session 3 Slide Deck
Session 3: What is Theatricality?
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Session 4: How Do You Give/Receive Feedback?
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss and examine how to give and receive feedback. Then students will read their first draft aloud and receive feedback on it.
- Session 4 Slide Deck
Session 4: How Do You Give/Receive Feedback?
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Session 5: First Draft Submission
by Lindsay Price
The first draft is due in this class. Students will have time to work and then submit.
- Session 5 Slide Deck
Session 5: First Draft Submission
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Session 6: Post-First Draft Questions
by Lindsay Price
Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students also review the Post-First Draft Questions to apply critical thinking skills to their draft.
- Session 6 Slide Deck
Session 6: Post-First Draft Questions
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Session 7: In-Depth Character Profile
by Lindsay Price
Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students will receive an In-depth Character Profile sheet to help them apply critical thinking skills to their draft.
- Session 7 Slide Deck
Session 7: In-Depth Character Profile
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Session 8: Feedback 2
by Lindsay Price
Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students also give and receive feedback on their draft.
- Session 8 Slide Deck
Session 8: Feedback 2
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