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Unit

Character Creation: Superhero Series: Multi platform

Created by Lindsay Price and Kerry Hishon

6 lessons character development middle school friendly

This unit focuses on character creation: How do you create a character from the ground up? Use this unit as a precursor to a playwriting unit, to a devising unit, or to a class production.

Using the archetypes of the superhero, the sidekick, and the supervillain, students work on exercises to help them create unique characters through physical and vocal qualities, character profiles, and theatrical writing.

Because many of the exercises have an individual focus, this unit works in a distance learning environment or for your no-technology students.

Start here
The overview lays out the unit structure, including instruction method, time management, outline, and assessment plan.
  1. 1
    Lesson 1
    Introduction to Character Creation
    Students start with a name exercise and a non-human personification exercise as an introduction to character creation. The purpose is to show students some of the details that go into creating an interesting dynamic character—in action and in writing.
  2. 2
    Lesson 2
    Superhero Character Creation
    Students apply what they learned about physical and vocal qualities in a character. They complete a character profile for an original superhero, then experiment with creating physical and vocal attributes before writing a monologue.
  3. 3
    Lesson 3
    Adding Support with a Super Sidekick
    Students continue work by completing a character profile for a superhero sidekick, then experiment with creating physical and vocal attributes before writing a monologue.
  4. 4
    Lesson 4
    Creating Conflict with the Supervillain
    Students continue work by completing a character profile for a supervillain, then experiment with creating physical and vocal attributes before writing a monologue.
  5. 5
    Lesson 5
    Monologues, Scenes, and More
    Students will spend this lesson writing for their three characters (superhero, sidekick, villain) before choosing one for their culminating assignment. This lesson provides a number of options in terms of scene writing, design, and improv for you to choose from
  6. 6
    Lesson 6
    Culminating Assignment
    Using their chosen character, students write an original monologue for this character, design a costume and a prop/tool, and perform their monologue with specific physical and vocal quality choices.

Standards Addressed

Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 8

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Proficient

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