emergency lesson plans - Theatrefolk

emergency
lesson plans
for theatre teachers
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138
www.theatrefolk.com

Emergency Lesson Plans for Theatre Teachers
Copyright © 2012 Lindsay Price & Theatrefolk
CAUTION: This book is fully protected under the
copyright laws of Canada and all other countries of the
Universal Copyright Convention.
No part of this book covered by the copyrights hereon
may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means
- graphic, electronic or mechanical - without the prior
written permission of the author.
Published by:
Theatrefolk
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0
Canada
Tel 1-866-245-9138
Fax 1-877-245-9138
e-mail: tfolk@theatrefolk.com
website: www.theatrefolk.com
Photocopying / Multiple Copies
The one owner of this book may copy the Lesson
Plans for his or her class for educational purposes.
All other forms of duplication and/or distribution
are prohibited.

emergency
lesson plans
for theatre teachers
Here is a collection of Emergency Lesson Plans, perfect for
enhancing your drama toolbox, to leave with a substitute
teacher, or to liven things up on a rainy day.
Contents
What is a Playwright?.............................................................5
Match the Quotes....................................................................7
Letters......................................................................................11
Finish the Thought................................................................13
Fictional Prompts..................................................................15
Character Collage..................................................................17
Blocking..................................................................................19
Create a Playbill.....................................................................23
Elements of Greek Tragedy..................................................25
Playwriting Exercise: Define the Conflict..........................29
Types of Stages.......................................................................31
The Globe Theatre.................................................................35
Parts of the Stage...................................................................39
Flats.........................................................................................43
Stanislavsky............................................................................47
Reader’s Theatre: Edgar Allen Poe’s The Bells....................53
Create Your Own Superhero................................................57
Commedia dell’arte...............................................................59
Compare and Contrast.........................................................65
Sample from Scene Spurs.....................................................69

Emergency Lesson Plan
Instruction Sheet
Types of Stages
Lesson Overview
Learn about the different types of theatrical stages.
Objectives
To create awareness of the different types of theatrical stages.
To reinforce this knowledge through a practical exercise.
Instructions
»»
Read the Types of Stages Handout.
»»
Review the Types of Theatre questions.
»»
Answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper.
»»
Review the Invent Your Own Theatre.
»»
Using the box provided, create your own theatre space.
»»
On the separate piece of paper, answer the questions regarding your theatre space.
»»
Write your name at the top of each sheet.
»»
Hand in your work at the end of class.
Materials Needed
»»
Types of Stages Handout.
»»
Pen.
»»
Paper.
31
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138
www.theatrefolk.com

Types of Stages
Stage
Stage
Audience
Audience
Audience
Proscenium: The audience directly faces the playing area.
Arena/Stadium: The playing area is in the center of a large
open space which usually seats thousands of people.
Audience
Audience
Audience
Stage
Stage
Audience
Audience
Audience
Theatre in the round: The playing area is surrounded by
audience seating on all sides.
Traverse: The elongated playing area is surrounded by
audience seating on two sides.
Stage
Audience
Audience
Thrust: The playing area protrudes out into the house with
the audience seating on more than one side.
32
Black Box: Usually a large room with black walls and a flat
black floor. The stage and the audience can go wherever you
like!
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138
www.theatrefolk.com

Types of Stages Response SheetName:_________________________________
Use the back if necessary.
Questions
Consider the six main types of theatres described on the previous sheet. Answer the
following for each type of theatre:
• List three advantages to this setup.
• List three disadvantages to this setup.
• Can you name a play that would be well-suited for this setup? (If you can’t think of a specific
play, describe a type or style of play that would be well-suited to this setup.) Why would this
play/type of play work well with this setup?
Invent Your Own Type of Theatre
Imagine that you have a large black box theatre that you can configure however you
like. Use it to invent a whole new layout. Clearly show the space allotted for the stage
and audience.
• What is your theatre type called?
• Answer the questions above for your theatre type.
33
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138
www.theatrefolk.com