Facebook Pixel Skip to main content
Drama Teacher Academy Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company
Sign in Sign up Search
Unit in Theatre History Curriculum

Unit 7: The Elizabethan Golden Age

Created by Drama Teacher Academy

4 lessons theatre history

We continue our look at the Renaissance era with the Elizabethan Golden Age. This golden age of theatre started when James Burbage built the first permanent playhouse in England, called The Theatre. Of the more than 80 playwrights in Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre, the three most significant were Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare. This age came to an abrupt end when the Puritans executed King Charles I, abolished the crown, and closed all the theatres.

Start here
The overview lays out the objective, pacing, lesson structure, and assessment strategy for the unit.
  1. 1
    Lesson 1
    Set the Stage for Elizabethan Theatre
    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.
  2. 2
    Lesson 2
    Introduction to Elizabethan Theatre
    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.
  3. 3
    Lesson 3
    Elizabethan Playwrights and Plays
    In this lesson, students will be introduced to Elizabethan playwrights and their plays: Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare.
  4. 4
    Lesson 4
    Culminating Activity
    Decide how students will demonstrate their knowledge of the unit. A variety of activities are provided. You can choose to have all your students do the same activity, or allow students to choose how they demonstrate their knowledge. Rubrics are provided for each activity.

Standards Addressed

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

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

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient

Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 6

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade 6

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 7

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

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

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding - Grade HS Proficient

Get instant access to this and everything else in the Drama Teacher Academy

Join the DTA TodayAlready a member? Log in here.