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Theatre History Lesson Plans

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

Lesson 1 of 4 in Ancient Greek Theatre Unit

Introduction

by Karen Loftus

Students discuss myths, explore group movement and combine movement with choral speaking in a choral ode.

# Theatre History # ancient greek theatre
Lesson 1 of 5 in Comedy of Manners Unit

Introduction

by Lindsay Price

The Comedy of Manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. In this lesson students discuss the nature of comedies that make fun of a group of people and the definition of satire. They are taken through a slide deck that introduces the background and style elements of the comedy of manners. Students also complete a Viewing Quiz.

# Theatre History
Lesson 1 of 10 in Agatha Rex and Ancient Greek Theatre Unit

Introduction to Antigone and Agatha Rex

by Angel Borths

Students will be able to summarize the plot of a story from Ancient Greek Theatre using a description of a classical Greek tragedy.

# Theatre History # ancient greek theatre
Lesson 2 of 4 in Unit 7: The Elizabethan Golden Age Unit

Introduction to Elizabethan Theatre

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to Elizabethan theatre from the thrust stage to the acting companies. They will also compare and contrast (in discussion and through scenes) the proscenium space with the thrust theatre space, and play with the Elizabethan language in an improv.

# Theatre History # theatre history

Introduction to Medieval Theatre

by Ruth Richards

Students will explore Medieval Theatre by role playing what it would be like to perform at the time. Students form trade guilds, create a medieval market scene, and then work on a morality scenario. Lesson plan comes with a written assignment to be completed after the practical assignment.

# Theatre History
Lesson 2 of 5 in Unit 6: Theatre of the Renaissance Unit

Italian Renaissance Theatre

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to three lasting influences of Italian Renaissance theatre: the proscenium theatre, pastoral plays, and opera. Students will create a modern pastoral scene and do a scene sing through.

# Theatre History # theatre history
Lesson 5 of 7 in Unit 5: Asian Theatre Unit

Kabuki

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to Kabuki, the staging, the plays, the acting style, makeup, and the all-important climatic pose—the mie. They will apply their knowledge by creating their own mie and walking like a Kabuki actor. Finally, they’ll create a mini modern-Kabuki scene.

  • Kabuki Walk
# Theatre History # theatre history
Lesson 2 of 9 in East Meets West: Theatre Traditions Unit

Kabuki Theatre from Japan

by Marsha Walner

Students explore Kabuki from Japan and use the Mie technique to display character in this for-the-masses spectacle form of theatre.

# Theatre History
Lesson 3 of 4 in Unit 4: Commedia Dell'Arte Unit

Lazzi

by Drama Teacher Academy

Students will add to their commedia character by exploring Lazzi, practiced and predetermined comic bits.

# Theatre History # theatre history # commedia
Lesson 2 of 5 in Comedy of Manners Unit

Manners and Codes in the Comedy of Manners

by Lindsay Price

The comedy of manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. Students will explore the element of manners and codes of behaviour in a modern context, and then look at how the element is applied to a scene from The Importance of Being Earnest.

# Theatre History
Lesson 8 of 10 in Agatha Rex and Ancient Greek Theatre Unit

Mask Making & Skene Backdrop Activity

by Angel Borths

Students will be able to design and build a Greek Theatre mask in the traditional style for a character in Agatha Rex. Students will be able to design and build a skene backdrop.

# Theatre History # ancient greek theatre
Lesson 5 of 6 in Realism and Naturalism Unit

Meanwhile, in America

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, we will review what was happening in America during this era: vaudeville and Broadway in its early days. Students will try out a vaudeville routine and read a scene from a 1920 Broadway play. This lesson also highlights Black performers of the time. Then we’ll follow Eugene O’Neill as he brings realism to the American stage.

# Theatre History

Medieval Drama - Morality Plays

by Lindsay Price

Lessons to cover two class periods. Students learn the elements of a Medieval Morality Play and then create their own morality play with a modern context. Includes a modern version of "Everyman" and three assessment rubrics.

  • Everyman in Modern English
# Theatre History # theatre history

Medieval Drama - The Mystery Play

by Lindsay Price

Lessons cover two class periods.

Students learn the elements of a Medieval Mystery Play cycle and then create their own Mystery cycle within a modern context. Includes handouts, assignment sheets, and rubrics.

# Theatre History # theatre history
Lesson 2 of 3 in Unit 3: Medieval Theatre Unit

Medieval Theatre

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students are introduced to the origins of Medieval theatre, create a feast of fools’ moment, and put together their own version of The Second Shepherd’s Play.

# Theatre History
Lesson 4 of 7 in Unit 5: Asian Theatre Unit

Noh Drama

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to Noh drama, the design, the character types, and plays. They will explore walking and gesturing like a Noh actor and apply their knowledge by creating a scene of opposites.

# Theatre History # theatre history
Lesson 3 of 9 in East Meets West: Theatre Traditions Unit

Noh Theatre from Japan

by Marsha Walner

Exploring Noh from Japan and how masks and movement techniques communicate character in a unique style of storytelling.

# Theatre History
Lesson 2 of 6 in Unit 2: Greek & Roman Origins Unit

Origins of Ancient Greek Theatre

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will be introduced to Ancient Greek theatre festivals and then apply what they’ve learned by creating their own City Dionysia Festival.

# Theatre History # theatre history
Lesson 1 of 3 in Unit 1: Before and Beyond Ancient Greek Theatre Unit

Part 1: Ancient Egypt

by Drama Teacher Academy

There isn’t a lot of information about the theatre of Ancient Egypt, but there’s certainly enough to know they performed stories. We will look at the theatre of Ancient Egypt, discuss if the elements did in fact represent theatre as we know it, and, using learned elements, perform an Ancient Egypt myth.

# Theatre History
Lesson 2 of 3 in Unit 1: Before and Beyond Ancient Greek Theatre Unit

Part 2: Sanskrit Drama

by Drama Teacher Academy

We will look at Sanskrit drama over two class periods, starting with a background introduction and then exploring elements of the sanskrit drama how-to manual, the Nāṭya Śāstra, and applying knowledge through scene work.

# Theatre History