Theatre History Lesson Plans
A library of lesson plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes.
Part 3: Indigenous Storytelling
by Drama Teacher Academy
This Indigenous Storytelling unit is brought to you in a different format than a traditional lesson plan. It uses a learning circle format. It was developed by Allison Green, a member of the Algonquin Band of Mattawa, Ontario.
- Indigenous Storytelling Unit
- SEL Document
Part 3: Indigenous Storytelling
Loading…
Parts of the Ancient Greek Stage
by Angel Borths
Students will be able to identify the parts of an Ancient Greek Stage and explain the function of each element.
- Parts of the Ancient Greek Stage with Labels
- Parts of the Ancient Greek Stage
Parts of the Ancient Greek Stage
Loading…
Performance
by Marsha Walner
Final performances will occur on this day, with audience members offering observation-based feedback.
Performance
Loading…
Performance & Reflection
by Angel Borths
Students will be able to perform an adaptation of a classical greek play, using theatrical masks as a group.
- Performance Reflection
Performance & Reflection
Loading…
Playhouses
by Karen Loftus
Students are introduced to three of the most important playhouses in the Elizabethan Era, as well as the areas of the Globe Theatre.
Playhouses
Loading…
Plays and Playwrights
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the plays and playwrights of Ancient Greek theatre. They will create their own hero’s downfall, take on a choral reading, examine Aristotle’s elements of drama, and read a monologue from Antigone.
- Choral Reading Greek Chorus
- Choral Reading Poem
- Movies Worksheets
Plays and Playwrights
Loading…
Playwrights & Players
by Karen Loftus
This session introduces students to the Elizabethan Era, and its’ key playwrights and players.
Playwrights & Players
Loading…
Post-Reading Reflection & Mask 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.
- Mask Brainstorming Sheet
- Post-Reading Reflection
Post-Reading Reflection & Mask Activity
Loading…
Presentation & Reflection
by Lindsay Price
In this lesson, students present their topics, lead the class through an activity, and provide a reflection. They also self-evaluate the process.
- Mid-Assignment Evaluation
Presentation & Reflection
Loading…
Restoration Comedy: Comedy of Manners
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to Restoration comedy, specifically Comedy of Manners. Students will create scenes that “mock” a society group as comedy of manners does, explore wordplay, examine lines from comedy of manners plays, and reflect how the comedy of manners acts as a mirror to the audience.
- Comedy of Manners Examples
Restoration Comedy: Comedy of Manners
Loading…
Roman Theatre and Unit Wrap-up
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, we will move on to the Roman theatre, which mainly shows how Greek theatre was adapted by the Romans.
Roman Theatre and Unit Wrap-up
Loading…
Romantic Theatre
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the elements of Romantic theatre, examine what makes a “well-made” play, apply Goethe’s three questions of art criticism, practice a couple of Delsarte’s emotional gestures, and use those gestures to create their own modern melodrama.
Romantic Theatre
Loading…
Romanticism
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the characteristics of Romanticism in literature, painting, and music. For each category, students will analyze samples and discuss how these pieces illustrate the characteristics of Romanticism. Finally, students will create a theatrical moment that applies the characteristics of Romanticism.
- Literature Samples
- Poetry Samples
Romanticism
Loading…
Sanskrit Theatre from India
by Marsha Walner
Students explore Sanskrit theatre from India and how rituals and intentional actions give strength and unity to the creative process.
Sanskrit Theatre from India
Loading…
Scene Building and Polish
by Marsha Walner
Groups will polish their piece, ensuring everyone is clear on their responsibilities as well as requesting any production elements necessary.
Scene Building and Polish
Loading…
Scene Development
by Marsha Walner
Students will form small groups and delve into one style. They will use that style to retell a common folktale or story, conceptualizing how their story will unfold on stage.
Scene Development
Loading…
Scene Rehearsal
by Angel Borths
Students will be able to stage and rehearse an adaptation of a classical greek play, using theatrical masks as a group.
- Scene Rubric
Scene Rehearsal
Loading…
Set the Stage for Chinese Opera
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the sociopolitical and cultural background to set the stage for Chinese opera. Students will then complete a research project and present on a specific Chinese topic. It’s important, especially with a type of theatre that may be unknown to students, to first research the background.
- Fact Sheet - Asian Theatre
- Research Project Checklist and Rubrics
- Information and Notes Sheet
Set the Stage for Chinese Opera
Loading…
Set the Stage for Commedia Dell'Arte
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the commedia dell’arte form and start their exploration of stock characters.
- Fact Sheet - Commedia
- Commedia Compendium
Set the Stage for Commedia Dell'Arte
Loading…
Set the Stage for Elizabethan Theatre
by Drama Teacher Academy
In this lesson, students will be introduced to Elizabethan England. They will complete a research project on the sociopolitical and cultural background of the era to set the stage for Shakespeare and other playwrights of Elizabethan England.
- Fact Sheet - Renaissance
- Information and Notes Sheet
- Research Project Checklist and Rubrics
Set the Stage for Elizabethan Theatre
Loading…
