Color My World Lesson Plan Color My World
Technical Theatre Color Theory
Time: 90 Minutes
Grades: 9-12
Why This Lesson?
Understanding pigment color theory is crucial for effective set design, costume design, and makeup, allowing students to create specific moods and effects on stage, enhancing storytelling and audience experience.
Objectives
Define and identify primary, secondary, and tertiary colors in pigments.
Understand color temperature (warm vs. cool) and its emotional impact.
Apply principles of subtractive color mixing through hands-on practice.
Design a technical theatre concept using appropriate color schemes.
Teacher Prep
Review Color Wheel Slide Deck.
Gather paints (R, Y, B, W, Bl), brushes, and palettes.
Print worksheet and project guides for all students.
Prepare modified EL versions (25% reduction).
Materials Required
• Projector & Whiteboard
• Slide Deck: Color My World
• Paint (Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, White)
• Paintbrushes & Mixing Palettes
• Color Mixing Worksheet
• Technical Theatre Project Guide
• Color Project Rubric
• Construction Paper & Art Supplies
Instructional Plan
5 min Warm-Up
What's Your Favorite Color?
Project the prompt: "What's your favorite color and what mood does it create for you?" Have students share with a partner. This activates prior knowledge about color and emotion.
20 min Lecture
Introduction to Color Theory
Use the Color Wheel Slide Deck to introduce pigment concepts.
• Slides 1-7: Objectives & Primary/Secondary/Tertiary definitions.
• Slides 8-12: Temperature & Color Schemes (Complementary/Analogous).
• Slide 13: Subtractive Mixing principles.
Discussion: "How might a set designer use warm colors to set a scene?"
25 min Activity
Hands-On Pigment Mixing
Distribute paints and worksheets. Students experiment mixing primary colors to create secondary and tertiary hues. They must record observations on the Color Mixing Worksheet .
EL Support: Circulate to help with key vocabulary. Ensure they use the modified worksheet with reduced tasks.
15 min Project
Project Introduction
Introduce the Technical Theatre Color Project . Explain that students will design a set or costume concept. Review expectations using the Rubric .
20 min Work Time
Independent Planning
Students begin brainstorming. Provide access to art supplies for sketching and color swatches. Offer 1-on-1 support for EL students with sentence starters.
5 min Closing
Exit Ticket
Prompt: "Name one new thing you learned about pigment color in theatre today and how you might use it."
Color Wheel Slides Color My World
The Technical Theatre Color Wheel
Pigment Theory for Stagecraft
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask a quick warm-up question to get them thinking about color and emotion.
Learning Objectives
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary pigment colors.
Understand color temperature (warm vs. cool).
Explore complementary and analogous color schemes.
Master subtractive color mixing principles.
Apply theory to technical theatre design projects.
Why Color Matters on Stage?
Mood & Emotion
Colors instantly create feelings and set the psychological tone of a scene.
Focus & Attention
Guide the audience's eye to specific actors or parts of the stage.
Setting the Scene
Communicate time of day, location, and environment through paint and fabric.
Character & Story
Reveal personality, social status, or plot points through costume design.
The Color Wheel: Your Guide
THE
A circular chart showing the relationships between colors. In theatre, we use this to predict how paints will mix and how colors will look under stage lights.
Primary Colors (Pigments)
RED
YELLOW
BLUE
The Originals: You cannot mix other colors to make these. They are the foundation of every other pigment color on stage.
The First Mixes: Secondary Colors
Red + Yellow
Orange
Yellow + Blue
Green
Blue + Red
Violet
Tertiary Colors: The Next Level
Created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color . This creates the "in-between" shades.
Red-Orange
Yellow-Orange
Yellow-Green
Blue-Green
Blue-Violet
Red-Violet
Warm
Colors
Sun, fire, and heat
Energy, excitement, passion
Danger and intensity
Used to create intensity or cozy atmospheres.
Cool
Colors
Water, sky, and nature
Calm, peace, and sadness
Color Mixing Worksheet Color Mixing Worksheet
Technical Theatre Edition: Pigments
Name:
Date:
Note: Explore the magic of pigment color mixing! EL Students (Level 2/3): Focus on the main ideas and complete at least 75% of the questions/tasks.
1 Color Basics
1. List the three Primary Colors of Pigment:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. List the three Secondary Colors of Pigment:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. Give two examples of Tertiary Colors of Pigment:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 Color Temperature
Warm Colors:
Cool Colors:
3 Hands-On Mixing Lab
Mix the paints as indicated below. Paint a small sample in the "New Color" box and describe the mood it creates for a theatrical stage.
Ingredients New Color Created Theatrical Mood / Use Red + Yellow Blue + Yellow Red + Blue Red + Orange Blue + Green
4 Reflect & Connect
1. Think about a scene where a character is feeling angry. What pigment color would you use in their costume or set design, and why?
2. Imagine a calm, peaceful scene. What two analogous pigment colors might you use in the set design to create this feeling?
Hands-On Pigment Activity Guide Lab Activity Guide
Stagecraft 101: Pigment Theory
Discovering New Hues
Hands-On Pigment Color Mixing
Goal
To explore how different pigment colors combine to create new colors for technical theatre applications like set and costume design. You will act as a design team testing your palette before full-scale production.
Kit
R, Y, B Paint
Bl & W Paint
Paintbrushes
Mixing Palettes
Art Paper
Water & Towels
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Prepare your palette: Place a small dab (about the size of a dime) of each primary color (Red, Yellow, Blue) on your palette, keeping them well-separated.
2
Create Secondary Colors:
3
Experiment with Tertiaries: Mix one primary color with an adjacent secondary color you just made (e.g., Yellow + Green). What new "hyphenated" colors can you find? Record at least two.
4
Think about Mood: As you create colors, ask yourself: Where would I see this on a stage? Is it for a dark, villainous costume or a bright, cheerful summer set?
5
Clean Up: Respect your "theatre shop." Clean brushes thoroughly with water, dry with paper towels, and return all materials to the storage station.
Student Support (EL Level 2/3)
Focus on mixing the 3 secondary colors (Orange, Green, Violet) successfully.
Describe the mood for at least two colors using single words (e.g., "Sad," "Happy," "Hot").
If you get stuck on a word, ask your teacher for the theatrical term!
Technical Theatre: Color My World Page 1 of 1
Theatre Color Project Guide Setting the Scene
Technical Theatre Color Project
Goal
Apply your knowledge of pigment color theory to design a set or costume concept that creates a specific mood and tells a story for a theatrical scene.
Objective
Demonstrate understanding of primary, secondary, tertiary, temperature, and schemes (complementary/analogous) through visual design.
The Scenario
Choose ONE of the following short scenes for your design:
1. Mysterious Forest
A character is lost and scared, walking through a deep, dark forest at night.
2. Joyful Reunion
Friends and family are gathering for a happy, celebratory event in a bright space.
3. Tense Confrontation
Two characters are having a serious, emotional argument in a dimly lit room.
Your Task
Design either a SET DESIGN or a COSTUME DESIGN (choose one). Your final submission must include:
Concept Statement
Write one paragraph describing your scene and the overall mood. How will pigment color specifically help you tell this story?
Color Palette Explanation
Identify 3-5 main colors. For each, explain: Is it primary/secondary/tertiary? Is it warm/cool? What emotion does it evoke? Why did you choose this scheme?
Visual Representation
Create a colored sketch, drawing, collage, or digital rendering. Ensure the visual clearly shows the pigment colors you described!
Accommodations (EL Level 2/3)
Concept
1-2 clear sentences about scene and mood.
Palette
2-3 main colors. Explain if they are warm/cool and the mood.
Visual
A clear drawing or collage. Labels not required.
Color Project Rubric Project Rubric
Technical Theatre Color Project
Student:
Score:
/ 16
Assessment Note:
Expectations for detail and quantity of explanation are adjusted for Level 2 and 3 EL students as noted in the Criteria descriptions.
Criteria 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Developing 1 - Needs Support Concept Statement Clearly describes the scene/mood with a strong pigment-story connection. (EL: Clear 1-2 sentences.) Effectively describes the scene/mood with a clear pigment connection. (EL: Understandable 1-2 sentences.) Describes scene/mood, but the pigment connection is unclear. (EL: Limited clarity.) Minimal or no description of scene or mood. (EL: Missing or very unclear.) Palette Explanation Accurately explains 3-5 colors (theory, temperature, impact). (EL: 2-3 colors, temp/mood.) Explains 3-5 colors with good understanding and some justification. (EL: 2-3 colors with basic temp/mood.) Identifies colors but theory or impact explanations are basic or inaccurate. (EL: 1-2 colors.) Identifies few colors; explanations are largely incorrect or missing. Visual Representation Highly creative, clear, and impactful. All discussed colors are clearly visible. Clear and adequately depicts chosen scheme/mood. Most colors are visible. Somewhat unclear or only partially depicts scheme/mood. Some colors missing. Visual is missing, very unclear, or does not align with the concept. Effort & Presentation Meticulously presented, showing outstanding effort and attention to detail. Well-presented, showing good effort and attention to detail. Shows some effort, but presentation is messy or incomplete. Project appears rushed, incomplete, or lacks significant effort.
Teacher Comments
Final Grade
______
Modified Color Mixing Worksheet Color Mixing Worksheet
Technical Theatre • Modified Version
Name:
Date:
Student Note: This worksheet focuses on the most important parts of color theory. Do your best!
1 Color Basics
1. List the three Primary Colors (the colors that start it all):
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. List two Secondary Colors (colors made by mixing 2 colors):
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 Color Temperature
List 2 Warm Colors:
List 2 Cool Colors:
3 Mixing Lab
Colors to Mix Resulting Color Mood (Happy, Sad, Hot, Cold?) Red + Yellow Blue + Yellow Red + Blue Red + Orange
4 Stage Design Question
If you want to show a hot and angry scene on stage, which pigment color would you use for the characters? Why?
Color Exit Ticket 1
Stage Door Pass
Exit Ticket: Color My World
Student Name:
One new thing I learned about pigment color in theatre today:
How I might use this in a design:
2
Stage Door Pass
Exit Ticket: Color My World
Student Name:
One new thing I learned about pigment color in theatre today:
How I might use this in a design:
Cut along the dashed lines • Technical Theatre Color Theory
Modified Theatre Color Project Guide Setting the Scene
Theatre Color Project • Modified
Your Goal
Choose a scene and show how color helps tell the story. You will design a costume or a set!
Pick ONE Scene
1. Dark Forest
Scared character in a dark forest at night.
2. Happy Party
A joyful celebration in a bright room.
3. Big Argument
Two people arguing in a dimly lit room.
Your Task
Design a COSTUME or a SET .
Step 1: The Mood
Write 1-2 clear sentences. What is the scene? What is the mood (scary, happy, etc.)?
Step 2: The Colors
Pick 2-3 main colors. For each color, answer:Warm or Cool ?Mood does it create?
Step 3: The Drawing
Draw your costume or set! Use the colors you picked in Step 2. You can use markers, pencils, or a collage.
Use your Color Mixing Worksheet to help you choose the best colors!
