Theatre Lesson 2: Roles Exploration

Theatre Overview

• Objectives include understanding key roles in theatre: playwright, director, and actor.
• Students will engage with a story through the roles of a playwright, director, and actor.

Time Management

• Lesson duration is 75 minutes, adaptable based on class length.
• Includes ensemble-building exercises.

Introduction Activities

• Entry Prompt encourages students to journal about convincing a friend to attend a live theatre performance instead of a movie.
• Follow-up discussion highlights live theatre benefits versus film, such as presence with actors, uniqueness of each performance, and community support.

Warm-up Exercise

• Group “Up” warm-up involves students working together to keep a non-helium balloon in the air, emphasizing ensemble teamwork.
• Participants take turns tapping the balloon, fostering collaboration and communication.

Rehearsal and Performance

• Students rehearse group scenes in a supportive environment.
• Volunteers present scenes to the class, promoting confidence and readiness.

Follow-up Discussion

• Identifies key theatre roles:
  • Playwright: Creates the story, writes the play.
  • Director: Guides the production, overseeing actor performances and creative elements like staging and lighting.
  • Actor: Interprets and brings characters to life using the playwright’s words and the director’s vision.

"Who’s Who in Theatre" Wall

• Create a poster categorizing roles in theatre (Artistic, Production, and Business) with specific roles like playwright, director, and actor.

Exit Slip

• Students summarize definitions for playwright, director, and actor in their own words as an exit activity.

Assessment Suggestions

• Various assessment methods include observation, exit slips, and journal entries.
• Exit slips can be graded as complete/incomplete or on a numerical scale.
• Journals assessed for depth and quality of responses.

Additional Ensemble-Building Exercises

• Knots: Students form a circle and hold hands, creating a knot, then work together to untangle.
• Bean Bag/Object Toss: Students toss various objects in a rhythm to develop teamwork and coordination.

Unit Vocabulary

• Essential terms: theatre, playwright, director, actor, cue, and their definitions are reviewed throughout the lesson.

In this lesson, students will dive into the essential roles in theatre: playwright, director, and actor. Through interactive activities, they will learn the significance of each role while presenting a story as a collaborative ensemble. This lesson is designed to enhance understanding and teamwork.