This playwriting unit offers lessons for students to complete a 10- to 15-minute play, instructed by professional playwright Lindsay Price.
The unit includes class writing time as well as students writing on their own; in setting it up this way, the unit can be interspersed between other lessons.
Students are challenged to apply themselves to write on their own - as all writers must do. Class time also focuses on giving and receiving feedback.
The overview outlines the outcome, objectives, and lays out the timeline for a four week project from idea to final draft.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TH:Re7.1.8.a - Apply criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Cn10.1.8.a - Examine a community issue through multiple perspectives in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Cr3.1.6.a - Articulate and examine choices to refine a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cn10 - Incorporate multiple perspectives and diverse community ideas in a drama/theatre work.
8.TH:Re7 - Apply appropriate criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
8.TH:Cn10 - Examine a community issue through multiple perspectives in a drama/theatre work.
Acc.TH:Cn10 - Choose and interpret a drama/theatre work to reflect or question personal beliefs.
6.TH.Re8.a - Explain how artists make choices based on personal experience in a drama/theatre work.
6.TH.Re8.b - Identify cultural contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
6.TH:Cr3.a - Receive and incorporate feedback to refine a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
TH.912.C.1.7 - Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
P.C.1.3 - Create original works, such as monologues, scenes, or performance pieces.
1 - demonstrate understanding of the basic structure of a play
11 - construct a conflict between two characters (protagonist and antagonist)
12 - construct a scene with two contrasting characters
13 - give and accept constructive criticism
3 - demonstrate understanding of script format
4 - generate and collect ideas that have dramatic possibilities
develop the ability to analyze and assess the process and the art
10 - demonstrate understanding of the concept of dramatic convention
11 - demonstrate understanding of plot structure
12 - analyze a script to identify character, setting and plot
7 - define the elements of script, dialogue, directions, characters and settings
demonstrate respect for others-their rights, ideas, abilities and differences
demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
develop a sense of inquiry and commitment to learning
extend understanding of, acceptance of and empathy for others