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Playwriting Lesson Plans

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

Lesson 1 of 1 in The Working Playwright *Hyperdoc Unit

The Working Playwright

by Lindsay Price

This hyperdoc unit is designed to have students independently discover how a playwright turns creative expression into a career. The unit is broken down into three sections with multiple activities, videos, and research tasks, and includes a culminating activity.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 3 of 4 in 30 Second Monologues Unit

Three-Line Monologue

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will work on a three-sentence monologue to address both issues. Everyone will do the same monologue, so there is also the opportunity to talk about individual character choice, physical expression, and verbal expression.

  • Slide Deck Lesson 3
# Playwriting
Lesson 8 of 8 in Playwriting Unit

Unit Project

by Karen Loftus

Groups complete their scripts, format it properly, then hand it in. Next, they will perform their scene and complete a final reflection.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 7 of 7 in Playwriting: Part 1 Unit

Unit Project

by Lindsay Price

The final project for Part 1 of this unit is for students to write examples of what has been explored so far in the following way:

• A two-person, one-location, one-page scene.
• Each character has a want, there is an obstacle to their want, and they apply tactics to get what they want.
• A separate (ie: not included in the scene) half-page monologue for one of the characters in the scene.
• A character profile for each of the characters.

The objective is for students to apply all the elements they’ve learned so far in dramatic writing.

  • Unit Project
# Playwriting # playwriting

Using Theatre to Share and Celebrate History

by Kerry Hishon

The objective of the lesson is for students to explore historical events that are significant to them through various theatrical mediums that may seem unusual or “out of the box.” The inspiration for this lesson plan comes from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s theatrical hit Hamilton, which utilizes rap and hip-hop music and colourblind casting to tell the story of the American founding fathers.

# Playwriting # Acting # acting # playwriting
Lesson 4 of 4 in Playwriting Unit: 10 to 15 Minute Play Unit

Week Four

by Lindsay Price

Week Four is about practice, performance, and unit reflection. It’s important to include performance in the unit because the ultimate goal of all plays is that they be performed (rather than read). Students have the opportunity to rehearse in groups, present to the class, and then reflect on their experience with the unit.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 1 of 4 in Playwriting Unit: 10 to 15 Minute Play Unit

Week One

by Lindsay Price

In Week One, students learn about the criteria for the culminating project, complete some exercises to give students strategies for warm-ups and fighting writer’s block, as well as complete a practice session for both a monologue and a scene.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 3 of 4 in Playwriting Unit: 10 to 15 Minute Play Unit

Week Three

by Lindsay Price

In Week Three, students continue to write read their work aloud and receive feedback. The feedback for this week will focus on character and conflict. They will also complete post-first draft questions and character profiles. The second draft is due at the end of the week.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 2 of 4 in Playwriting Unit: 10 to 15 Minute Play Unit

Week Two

by Lindsay Price

In Week Two, students work on their first draft. Each class period involves writing, reading aloud from the draft, and giving/receiving feedback. The draft is due at the end of the week.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 2 of 3 in Decolonizing Monologues Unit

What is a Monologue?

by Nicholas Pappas

Students will build upon the Overheard Dialogue lesson to write a first draft of an authentic, decolonized monologue that speaks to their interests and voice.

# Playwriting # monologue
Lesson 1 of 11 in Playwriting Unit: Beginner Unit

What is a Playwright

by Lindsay Price

In this first lesson, students discuss their preconceived notions about playwriting, their expectations and fears, and identify actions: What does a playwright do?

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 1 of 7 in Playwriting: Part 1 Unit

What is a Playwright?

by Lindsay Price

Students write on their preconceived notions about playwriting, their expectations and fears, and identify actions: What does a playwright do?

  • Session 1 Slide Deck
# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 1 of 4 in Playwriting Kickstart: Multi platform Unit

What is an Idea? Where do I Look?

by Lindsay Price

Lesson 1 introduces the unit and the importance of warm-up exercises. Students will learn a new definition for what an idea is and apply that definition to the first topic area.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 7 of 11 in Playwriting Unit: Beginner Unit

What is Theatricality?

by Lindsay Price

Students will answer the question “What is theatricality?” in terms of what makes a play stageable. Students will apply this concept to a stageability exercise.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 3 of 4 in Playwriting Kickstart: Multi platform Unit

What Makes an Idea Theatrical?

by Lindsay Price

In Lesson 3, students continue practicing the process for generating ideas, formalize and apply the definition of theatricality.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 2 of 11 in Playwriting Unit: Beginner Unit

Where Do Ideas Come From?

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will explore different methods of gathering ideas.

# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 2 of 7 in Playwriting: Part 1 Unit

Where Do Ideas Come From?

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will explore different methods of gathering ideas.

  • Session 2 Slide Deck
# Playwriting # playwriting
Lesson 3 of 3 in Decolonizing Monologues Unit

Workshopping and the Second Draft

by Nicholas Pappas

Students will use a workshop process to build upon the first draft of their monologue and write a second, stronger draft of their monologue.

# Playwriting # monologue
Lesson 4 of 4 in Playwriting Kickstart: Multi platform Unit

Writing a Scene

by Lindsay Price

In Lesson 4, students practice the process and apply it to a longer scene.

# Playwriting # playwriting

Writing a Two Character Scene

by Lindsay Price

Students will read a handout and discuss what it takes to write a two character scene. They will then apply their knowledge through exercises done in class. Finally, they will write and hand in a two character, one location scene which will be assessed.

# Playwriting # playwriting