Items tagged "Analysis"
3 Courses, 3 Units, 29 Lesson Plans, and 24 Resources tagged "Analysis" for Drama Teachers.
Courses
Friendly Shakespeare
by Todd Espeland
Friendly Shakespeare teaches a simple and effective method of script analysis for Shakespeare. It uses punctuation and keywords in the text to help students understand the characters' needs, make specific acting choices, and get them on their feet immediately. This is not dry, sitting in a classroom discussion. It’s physicalizing the text, focusing on the character’s needs and tactics (something every drama student should know full well) and bringing Shakespeare to life. At the end of the class you will be able to demystify Shakespeare's text and understand how to help your actors make clear, active and emotionally connected choices in Shakespeare's plays.
Big Picture Blocking: Staging Your Play Outside-In
by Todd Espeland
Working in educational theatre I know how easy it is to get bogged down in actor coaching and away from the bigger picture storytelling when directing a show. I saw a need for a method of text analysis and physical staging tools that help the director stay focused on the bigger picture of telling the story of the play. This class is in two parts: The first consists of the text analysis tools P.A.S.T.O and Major Dramatic Question. From these tools you will brainstorm keywords to define your vision of the story. In the second part of the class you will focus on taking the information generated in the text analysis and crafting the ideas into vibrant physical pictures through an exercise called Starburst.
Close Reading in the Drama Classroom
by Lindsay Price
Close reading is an activity that puts curriculum standards into practice and it can be easily applied to the drama classroom. Close reading asks a lot of your students. They have to read and think at the same time. This course teaches drama teachers how the close reading process works, and gives them exercises and tools to apply it in the classroom.
Units
Script Analysis: The Actor's Perspective
by Karen Loftus
How does an actor analyze a script? Students start with character analysis (how do we learn about a character in a script? what are the facts/inferences about a character?) and then explore the ideas of “objective,” “obstacle,” “stakes,” and “tactics.” The unit culminates with students applying learned script-analysis techniques on an assigned scene.
Character Analysis
by Matt Webster
The Drama Two Curriculum has been developed to expand and deepen the students’ skills as actors. In this unit, students will use open scenes to generate characters and scenarios. They will then explore the ideas of “objective,” “tactics,” and “status.” The unit culminates with students applying learned character analysis techniques to classroom generated open scenes.
Tools of Scene Work
by Anna Porter
Students are introduced to scene work performance through a simple, contentless scene unit. In this unit, performers will use exercises like “Show and Tell” to learn how to fill in the gaps of a story by creating scenarios and detailed characters with backgrounds. Students will further fill in the gaps by exploring environmental and physical conflict as well as stage business. The lesson “Thou Shalts of Staging” will guide students through basic staging and performance technique.
Lesson Plans
Show and Tell Switch
by Anna Porter
Students apply the questions used in a Character Analysis Worksheet to create a character background for themselves. Students use this to help them understand the importance of details and commitment to character choices by creating a believable Show and Tell presentation with an unknown object.
Reflection in Role: Character Development Through Script Analysis
by Lindsay Price
Playwrights leave hints and tips in the text as signposts for character building. But how do you find those hints? How do you use them to develop a character? In this lesson plan, students will examine scenes from my plays, identify character development clues, and apply those clues. The included teaching script will show you those character clues so you know what students are looking for. The Scenes are included in the plan as well as a reflection rubric. The analysis areas are: facts and concrete assumptions, sentence structure, and strong forms need strong characters.
Tactic Fairies
by Anna Porter
Students will understand how tactics are active and how to use them to achieve their character’s objective. Students consider the tactics they use to get what they want in their everyday lives and then demonstrate how to use various tactics for an assigned objective by playing “Tactic Fairies.” Two students act out a scene, while their "fairies" make them change their tactic 4 or 5 times to get what they want. This instills that a character can't just repeat the same tactic over and over again, or try one tactic and stop. The consequence of certain tactics is also introduced.
Stage Management: Know the Details
by Anna Porter
Students will learn the details a stage manager must be aware of as well as how to communicate those details in a clear and productive way. Students analyze a work of art to find the visual details required for that “production” and create an organized list to communicate those details. Students then apply those skills to a written script as the stage manager.
Images on Stage: War Posters
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss and analyze War Posters. What are the images? What is being said with those images? Describe the colours and shapes. Students will discuss how a director can use images as a jumping off point for staging. Includes five posters, assessment rubric, and analysis sheet.
Objectives
by Elisabeth Oppelt
A character’s objective is what a character wants. It is based in what they want from another person, using the formula “I want [person] to do [thing I want them to do.]” The objective is what drives all of their action while on stage. In this lesson students will learn what objectives are and how to write one for a character.
Introduction to Close Reading
by Lindsay Price
Students will work on their critical thinking skills through close reading. Teachers will first model the technique with a sentence, students will practice the technique in groups and then apply their knowledge with a close reading of a monologue. This lesson comes with an individual assignment and close reading handout.
Themes in the Crucible: A Good Reputation
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss the theme of a reputation in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Students will participate in activities, scene work and written reflection on the theme. It is assumed that students are in the middle of reading the play or at least have been introduced to the story.
Introduction to The Bald Soprano: Cliché and Stereotype Exercise
by Lindsay Price
Students will compile modern-day clichés and stereotyped phrases and use these words/phrases to create a scene. The point of the exercise is to take something unfamiliar like the Theatre of the Absurd and identify a point of connection. A technique that we know well (the use of cliche and stereotype) is something Theatre of the Absurd Playwrights also know well. Use this exercise as a precursor to studying The Bald Soprano. You’ll need a scene from The Bald Soprano for the end of this lesson.
Themes in The Glass Menagerie: Traps vs Escapes
by Lindsay Price
Students will discuss and apply dramatically the theme of Traps vs Escapes in Tennessee William’s The Glass Menagerie. It is assumed that students have started reading The Glass Menagerie or know the story. Use this lesson as a supplemental to your study of the play.
Compare and Contrast: Adaptation
by Lindsay Price
Students will compare and contrast a scene from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Lindsay Price’s adaptation Humbug High.
Compare and Contrast: Theatre spaces
by Lindsay Price
Theatre spaces have changed throughout history, from the outdoor amphitheatres of Ancient Greece to the black box of modern times. In this lesson plan, students will identify what makes a theatre space in a specific era and then compare and contrast two different theatre spaces.
Research Project: Acting Teachers
by Todd Espeland
Instead of presenting a lecture on influential acting teachers, students self-learn in this lesson plan. Have students research an acting teacher, prepare a presentation and teach an exercise in groups.
Audience Etiquette
by Lindsay Price
In a drama class there is often a focus on onstage activities: performance skills, staging a scene, ensemble building. But the audience plays a vital and necessary role in the process. Theatre does not happen without an audience. It’s important for students to be aware of and apply audience etiquette. In this lesson, students will explore the different ways an audience behaves depending on the event, what is bad audience behaviour, establish the rules, practice critical thinking as an audience member and complete an exit slip to demonstrate comprehension.
Writing a Reflective Review
by Lindsay Price
Writing a play review is an excellent way for students to apply critical thinking skills. A review is a subjective but educated response to a play. The reviewer gives an opinion and supports it with thoughtful analysis. What are the parts of a well written review? What should a student do before, during, and after a performance? The culminating exercise involves students writing a review of a show. Use this lesson as a precursor to students seeing a performance (i.e. a school production, a community play, or a touring show).
Writing a Review: Introduction
by Lindsay Price
A review is a subjective but educated response. The reviewer gives an opinion, then supports it with thoughtful analysis. Students will examine existing reviews, identify the elements of a review, compare and contrast reviews, and practice supporting their opinions (i.e. not just “I like this” or “I don’t like that,” but explain the “why” behind their response).
What is a Monologue: Analysis
by Lindsay Price
Students will identify the elements that make a good monologue. Have student groups read aloud existing monologues and then discuss, answer questions, and evaluate the elements of the monologues. Do these existing monologues meet the criteria of a good monologue?
Emergency Lesson Plan: Compare and Contrast (Shakespeare)
by Lindsay Price
In this ELP, students will read and discuss a scene from the Shakespeare Play Much Ado About Nothing and a modern adaptation of that text - Much Ado High School by Lindsay Price.
Character Analysis - Musical Theatre Version
by Annie Dragoo
Use this lesson plan as a response activity connected to viewing a video of a musical in class. For example: At the end of semester or if you need a lesson plan during tech week - watch the musical and then do the exercise. After viewing a musical, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character from a musical by creating a visual character profile.
Character Analysis – Play Version
by Annie Dragoo
Use this lesson plan as a response activity connected to a play that you are studying in class. After reading the play, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character from a play by creating a visual character profile.
A Podcast Musical Analysis
by Annie Dragoo
Students will listen to and analyze a podcast musical called 36 Questions by Christopher Littler and Ellen Winter, starring Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton. This lesson is intended for senior grades only (11 & 12). Please see content warning in the lesson plan (p.1).
Close Reading: 21st Century Issue Play
by Lindsay Price
Close reading is a text-dependent analysis tool that allows students to read a text for in-depth comprehension. Students focus on the text to understand what’s being said, how it’s being said, and why. In this lesson, students will close read a teen issue play: Censorbleep by Lindsay Price. Reading something that was written specifically for them may help students connect to the analysis process.
Compare and Contrast: "To Be or Not To Be" on Film
by Lindsay Price
In this lesson plan, students will compare four different film versions of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark using the same scene: Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” speech. How do the four versions tackle the same text? Film is a visual medium – what visuals do they use to tell the story? Do they cut or adapt any of the text? Students will discuss their findings and write a Reflection. A slide deck is provided as part of the materials for this lesson.
Emergency Lesson Plan: Prose vs Drama
by Lindsay Price
In this ELP, students will read two ghost story texts: a prose version and a theatrical adaptation of the same story. Students will then compare and contrast the two texts: How does each handle the ghost story genre? How does each create mood and atmosphere for the genre? What are the similarities in the texts? What are the differences? In your opinion, which suits the genre better?
Analyzing a Play Through Socratic Seminar
by Annie Dragoo
In this two-part lesson, students will analyze a script using a specific method and practical critical thinking skills.
The History of Blackface in Theatre
by Quincy Young
Students will read an article about the history of blackface in American Theatre and use critical thinking skills to annotate the article. Students will then produce a written reflection on why the use of blackface was and continues to be a problematic issue in American Theatre.
Play Analysis of The Post Office by Rabindranath Tagore
by Quincy Young
Students will begin the lesson by applying research skills to produce a mini-project presentation on author Rabindranath Tagore, his work as a playwright, and themes explored in his play The Post Office. Students will read the play with an analytical eye and rehearse a scene to perform as a staged reading.
Close Reading Analysis of It's Always Loud in the Balcony
by Drama Teacher Academy
This close-reading lesson centers around students analyzing Chapter 15, “Who The Hell Are These Guys?” of the memoir It’s Always Loud In The Balcony: A Life in Black Theater, from Harlem to Hollywood and Back by Richard Wesley.
The Black Arts Movement
by Quincy Young
Students will read, annotate, and reflect on an article about the Black Arts Movement. By participating in the annotation exercise, students will obtain background knowledge which will lead to a mini research project and presentation.
Resources
Analysis and Exercise - Our Town
An Analysis and Exercise Guide to Thorton Wilder's play "Our Town."
Analysis and Exercise - A Streetcar Named Desire
An Analysis and Exercise guide to Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Analysis and Exercise - Death of a Salesman
An Analysis and Exercise Guide for Arthur Miller's "Death of A Salesman."
Analysis and Exercise - All My Sons
An Analysis and Exercise Guide to Arthur Miller's "All My Sons."
Script Analysis for Student Actors
Five Steps to Building your Foundation through script analysis.
Script Analysis For Actors: Action Words
This exercise looks at exploring your script through action words. The idea is to find the “action” in your dialogue. I’m not talking about blocking. I’m talking about visualizing action, injecting movement and life into your performance.
Analysis and Exercise: A Raisin in the Sun
An Analysis and Activities Guide on A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Use this Guide in conjunction with classroom study of the play.
There are no small parts, only small choices
How can we keep every actor engaged? Give them something to explore, even if they only have one line. Do this exercise with your class or with your cast. Every actor can benefit from learning how to approach a single line.
Close Reading Pre-Study Exercise
Use this close reading pre-study exercise for in-depth comprehension.
Drama Teacher Tune-Up 2
Our second Drama Teacher Tune Up! We look at including mask work in the classroom, Shakespeare, Close Reading, and Classroom Management..
Bloom's Taxonomy Action Words
Use this list to inspire your students to use higher order vs. lower order thinking words.
One Question and Rubric: Shakespeare
The format is simple. One question, one answer, and a rubric all on the same sheet. Use these answers as exit slips, as a follow up written assignment after a class discussion, or as a mid-unit check in. Covers Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, The Tempest, Othello, Macbeth, and The Taming of the Shrew.
Character Maps
Use these character maps to help students delve deeper into character analysis.
One Question and Rubric: Tennessee Williams
The format is simple. One question, one answer, and a rubric all on the same sheet. Use these answers as exit slips, as a follow up written assignment after a class discussion, or as a mid-unit check in. There are questions for A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Tic Tac Toe
Complete three of nine projects on A Midsummer Night's Dream to make a tic-tac-toe! Includes a rubric for assessment.
Poster: Structural Elements of a Script
Printable poster for the classroom "What are the Structural Elements of a Script?"
What are the Structural Elements of a Script
This handout names and describes the structural elements of a script: character, objective, obstacle, tactics, and resolution.
Compare and Contrast (Ancient Greek)
In this exercise students will read a scene in its original form, read a modern adaptation, and then compare and contrast the two.
Compare and Contrast (Shakepeare)
In this Compare and Contrast Exercise students will read a scene in its original form, read an modern adaptation, and then compare and contrast the two. What are the similarities and differences?
Compare and Contrast: The Tell-Tale Heart
In this compare and contrast exercise students will read a text in its original form, read a theatrical adaptation of the same text, and then compare and contrast the two. What are the similarities and differences?
The Black Arts Movement
Students will read, annotate, and reflect on an article about the Black Arts Movement. By participating in the annotation exercise, students will obtain background knowledge which will lead to a mini research project and presentation.
Scene Analysis: Choosing a Scene
Students will read a handout on the criteria for choosing a good scene for themselves to prepare and perform as part of a class assignment. After reading the tip sheet, students will read three scenes and using the provided worksheet, analyze the scenes based on the criteria. Students will write a paragraph in which they identify which scene fits the criteria best, and why. They will then complete the provided reflection.
She Kills Monsters: Reading Questions
She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen is a play that comes up time and time again in our drama class communities. To that end, we wanted to provide questions for reading the play in the classroom. • The Reading Questions provide pre- and post-reading questions for the play as well as questions throughout. • The Close-Reading Questions provide in-depth text-dependent questions for one scene of the play.
5 -Analysis, Inference & Synthesis
This section offers a variety of lesson plans, activities and resource documents to allow students to analyze, infer and synthesize within the context of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the world of theatre.
Attachments
- Social Awareness
- Research, Analyze & Respond: Jagged Little Pill
- Research, Analyze & Create: West Side Story and the character of Anybodys
- The Vito Russo Test
- Monologue Character Beyond the “Norm"
- Identity Rewrite
- She Kills Monsters: Reading Questions
LGBTQ+: Inclusivity in the Drama Classroom Toolkit
analysis LGBTQ+