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Playwriting

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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?

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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?

Attachments

Session 1 Slide Deck

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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.

Attachments

# Playwriting # playwriting

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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.

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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.

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Where Do Ideas Come From?

by Lindsay Price

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

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Where Do Ideas Come From?

by Lindsay Price

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

Attachments

Session 2 Slide Deck

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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.

Attachments

Decolonized Monologues Packet

# Playwriting # monologue

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Writing a Scene

by Lindsay Price

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

Attachments

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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.

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Writing an Autobiographical Monologue

by Gai Jones

In this lesson, based on their brainstorm material, students will look at their memories, notes, and images, choose a subject, and write on the character for their monologue. They will then write a first draft of their monologue in a quick-write fashion. After a break, students will analyze what they’ve written, and write a second draft. The unit ends with a reflection or students reading their work aloud.

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Writing and In-Depth Character Profile

by Lindsay Price

Students are given time to work on their second draft. They will read an excerpt of their play aloud and receive feedback. Students will also receive an In-depth Character Profile sheet to help them apply critical thinking skills to their draft.

# Playwriting # playwriting # character development

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Writing and Post-First Draft Questions

by Lindsay Price

Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students also receive a Post-First Draft Questions sheet to apply critical thinking skills to their draft.

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Writing the First Draft of a Spoken Word Poem

by Quincy Young

Students use personal experiences or views to write a spoken word poem about a challenge young people face in their community.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 2

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