Historical evolution of performance, technical stagecraft, and core acting techniques. Develops playwriting skills and fosters imaginative expression through script development and production management.
A multi-day unit exploring Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, focusing on the transition from spectator to 'spect-actor' through Image and Forum Theatre to address contemporary social issues.
A series of lessons exploring Caribbean folklore and cultural storytelling traditions, focusing on the iconic character of Anansi the Spider.
A 5-lesson theater arts sequence for 5th graders focused on creating multi-dimensional stage characters through profile building, improvisation, monologue writing, and dialogue refinement. Students move from external traits to internal motivations, learning how to create friction and unique voices for the stage.
A comprehensive playwriting sequence that takes 10th-grade students from initial character creation to a polished ten-minute play script. Students explore archetypes, master narrative structure, learn the importance of stage business, and engage in the collaborative revision process of a table read.
This graduate sequence explores Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed, training students in the theoretical, physical, and ethical skills required to facilitate social change through dramatic play.
A comprehensive graduate-level course exploring the pedagogy of dramatic inquiry, focusing on Dorothy Heathcote’s Mantle of the Expert and its application in cross-curricular K-12 education. Students will master instructional design, teacher-in-role techniques, and the assessment of creative processes.
This advanced performance sequence for graduate vocalists bridges the gap between technical vocal production and authentic theatrical embodiment. Students move from deep text analysis and subtexting to physical movement (Laban efforts) and stage optics, culminating in a synthesized performance where vocal technique serves dramatic intent.
A graduate-level sequence exploring the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and performance theory, focusing on how actors use psychological mechanisms to build and sustain authentic characters.
A comprehensive vocal performance sequence for 12th graders focusing on the intersection of acting and singing. Students learn to treat songs as monologues, identify subtext and objectives, map musical arcs, and use vocal timbre as an expressive tool for storytelling.
This sequence guides 6th-grade students through the intersection of vocal technique, performance psychology, and genre stylization. Students explore how to adapt their voice and physical presence for Folk and Musical Theater while building the emotional resilience needed for public performance.
A comprehensive vocal performance sequence that teaches students to move beyond notes and rhythms to become vocal 'actors.' Students analyze subtext, master expressive diction, map musical phrasing, and explore tone color to deliver emotionally authentic performances.
A Kindergarten music unit focused on vocal expression, dynamics, and phrasing. Students learn to use their voices to convey emotions, manage breath for phrasing, and incorporate gestures to enhance performance.
A Kindergarten music sequence focused on stage presence, performance routine, and building confidence through role-play and preparation. Students learn the full cycle of a performance, from walking on stage to the final bow.
A comprehensive sequence for 8th-grade vocal students focusing on stage presence, performance etiquette, and psychological preparation. Students move from physical posture to emotional connection, concluding in a professional mock audition.
A comprehensive vocal performance sequence for 8th graders that transitions from technical singing to artistic interpretation. Students learn to analyze lyrics, use dynamics for emphasis, master legato phrasing, and critique professional performances to develop their own unique vocal narratives.
This sequence guides 4th-grade students through the visual and psychological aspects of vocal performance. Students will master stage presence, manage performance anxiety, and learn to connect with their audience through non-verbal communication and professional etiquette.
A foundational sequence for Pre-K students to develop stage presence, posture, and ensemble skills through playful simulation and games. Students learn how to stand like singers, follow a conductor, listen to their peers, and perform a complete stage routine.
A Pre-K sequence focused on exploring emotions and storytelling through song, dynamics, and facial expressions. Students learn to identify musical moods and adapt their vocal performance to convey different feelings.
A comprehensive four-week unit and independent study guide for contemporary drama. Students analyze scripts, research playwrights, design technical elements, and stage scenes for a final production portfolio.
This sequence explores the representation of apes in the film 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes', focusing on the transition from scientific subjects to sentient leaders. Students analyze the use of motion-capture technology and narrative techniques used to humanize non-human characters.
A comprehensive sequence for undergraduate vocalists focused on performance psychology, physical stage presence, audience engagement, and professional audition protocols. Students transition from managing internal anxiety to mastering the external logistics of the professional music industry.
A comprehensive undergraduate sequence bridging technical vocal proficiency with artistic interpretation through text analysis, phrasing, timbre, and historical context.
A comprehensive vocal performance sequence for undergraduate students focusing on the physiological and stylistic shifts required to excel in Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and CCM genres. Students learn to cross-train their voices to achieve authentic stylistic markers while maintaining long-term vocal health.
A comprehensive sequence for 11th-grade instrumentalists to master the technical, logistical, and psychological demands of solo performance and auditions. Students move from repertoire selection and deliberate practice planning to stage etiquette and peer-reviewed mock auditions, culminating in a polished final performance.
This sequence challenges 12th-grade vocalists to master stylistic versatility by exploring the technical and aesthetic differences between Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Pop/Rock genres. Students learn to safely manipulate vocal physiology to meet the demands of various performance styles, culminating in a creative 'genre-switch' performance.
A comprehensive sequence for high school seniors focused on the physical, technical, and psychological aspects of vocal performance, culminating in a professional-level showcase.
A comprehensive unit for middle school vocalists focused on stage presence, performance anxiety, audience engagement, and technical skills like microphone technique, culminating in a mock audition.
A comprehensive workshop where students in grades 5-8 master the art of digital storytelling by blending narrative structure, audio production, and visual composition into a final multimedia project.
This graduate-level sequence explores the intersection of labor law, fiscal strategy, safety protocols, and crisis management within professional theater production. Students develop the leadership skills necessary to navigate union environments and high-stakes technical environments.
An advanced technical theater sequence for graduate students exploring the intersection of light physics, human perception, and visual storytelling. Students move from the biological mechanics of the eye to high-level system integration and dramaturgy.
Students investigate how costumes and properties (props) function as tools for character development and storytelling. The sequence guides students through the process of distinguishing between prop types, exploring costume psychology, fabricating safe props, and mastering backstage organization.
A 5-lesson sequence for 5th graders exploring technical theater through lighting and sound engineering. Students learn how to manipulate mood and focus using physical properties of light and creative sound design, culminating in a technical rehearsal simulation.
This sequence introduces 5th-grade students to the world of technical theater through the lens of scenic design. Students progress from learning stage geography to analyzing scripts, drafting floor plans, and ultimately building a 3D scale model (maquette) of their own set design.
Students step into the role of the technical crew, learning stage management, costume organization, and backstage safety. This sequence culminates in students mastering the organizational and communication skills required to run a professional theater production.
A comprehensive exploration of stage management for undergraduate students, covering organizational hierarchy, documentation, rehearsal management, and technical execution. Students transition from understanding the SM role to mastery of the prompt book and cue calling.
An undergraduate-level introduction to the technical systems of theater, focusing on the physics, hardware, and creative implementation of lighting and sound design. Students progress from fundamental science to professional drafting and real-time cue execution.
This sequence introduces 4th-grade students to the technical side of theater, focusing on lighting and sound. Students learn how lighting angles and colors create mood, and how sound effects and soundscapes build immersive worlds.
This hands-on sequence introduces 4th graders to the visual and engineering side of theater. Students analyze scripts to design environments, draft scale floor plans, build 3D scenic models, and fabricate props, emphasizing spatial reasoning and storytelling through physical space.
A comprehensive undergraduate-level sequence on the fundamentals of theatrical scenery construction and rigging. Students progress from safety certification to constructing flats and platforms, culminating in rigging mechanics and installation/strike protocols.
An advanced playwriting sequence for undergraduate students focusing on non-traditional structures, including non-linear time, verbatim theater, absurdism, meta-theatricality, and multimedia integration. Students will move from theoretical analysis of experimental playwrights to creating their own rule-breaking scripts.
A foundational unit for 6th-grade students introducing the mechanics and creativity of playwriting. Students explore the differences between prose and drama, master character voice, learn standard script formatting, and craft original conflict-driven scenes.
A graduate-level exploration of the macro-level logistics of theatrical production management, focusing on strategic planning, financial oversight, human resources, and facility management to balance artistic vision with finite resources.
A graduate-level exploration of sound design as a primary narrative tool, covering psychoacoustics, technical system engineering, advanced show control with QLab, spatial audio mixing, and live reinforcement for musical theater.
A graduate-level sequence exploring lighting design through color theory, photometrics, intelligent systems, and narrative cueing. Students synthesize technical mastery with artistic justification to create immersive visual environments.
An advanced course for graduate students focusing on the intersection of leadership, psychology, and complex logistics in professional theater production. Students master the art of stage management from script analysis to long-run performance maintenance.
An advanced playwriting module for graduate students focusing on non-linear, fragmented, and experimental dramatic structures. Students interrogate traditional narrative shapes and develop a comprehensive structural blueprint for a full-length experimental work.
A comprehensive graduate-level exploration of Documentary and Verbatim Theatre, covering ethical research, archival mining, speech editing, character synthesis, and theatrical staging. Students transition from researchers to dramatists, producing original documentary works based on real-world testimony and historical records.
A 10th-grade sequence exploring the economic systems that support the arts. Students analyze funding models, the multiplier effect, gentrification, and grant allocation, culminating in the creation of a professional economic impact statement.
This 9th-grade sequence moves beyond art appreciation to explore the economic and policy frameworks of the arts sector. Students analyze funding models, historical controversies, grant writing, and urban policy, culminating in a mock legislative session on arts advocacy.
A graduate-level exploration of classical theater foundations across Western and non-Western traditions, focusing on comparative dramaturgy, performance space, and contemporary adaptation.
A graduate-level exploration of the shift toward Realism and Naturalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sequence examines the emergence of the director-auteur, the development of psychological acting systems, and the political dimensions of the Independent Theatre Movement, concluding with a critical deconstruction of the Realistic canon.
A graduate-level exploration of 20th and 21st-century theatrical innovation, focusing on the shift from historical Avant-Garde to Post-Dramatic theory. Students analyze movements that challenge the 'Fourth Wall,' the supremacy of text, and the nature of narrative through the lenses of Marxism, Existentialism, and Post-Structuralism.
An advanced exploration of Early Modern theater history for graduate students, focusing on the intersection of architecture, economics, and social dynamics from the Renaissance to the 18th century.
An advanced exploration of collective artistic creation for graduate students, moving from theoretical models of authorship to practical strategies for managing interpersonal friction and structured feedback in professional creative ensembles.
A high school sequence exploring the shift from traditional ballet to modern dance through five key movements: Duncan's naturalism, Graham's psychological depth, Cunningham's chance operations, Judson Dance Theater's pedestrianism, and Bausch's Tanztheater. Students engage in both physical workshops and intellectual analysis to understand art as a reaction to its time.
A 5-lesson unit for 4th graders exploring the cultural origins and evolution of American Jazz and Tap dance, from African and European roots to the Harlem Renaissance and Broadway.
A 5-lesson unit exploring how dance served as the primary form of communication and history-keeping before written language, investigating Hawaiian, Greek, and West African traditions.
A journey through the history of dance and storytelling, from the royal courts of France to the grand stages of story ballets. Students learn how to communicate emotion and narrative through posture, gesture, and movement.
A 3rd-grade dance and history sequence exploring how global cultures use hand gestures and movement to preserve myths, genealogy, and stories. Students compare Hula, Bharatanatyam, Ballet pantomime, and mask-based dance to understand nonverbal communication.
A 3rd-grade theater sequence focusing on the logistical side of production, including stage management, safety, and crew coordination. Students learn that a successful performance relies on disciplined teamwork behind the scenes.
A design-focused sequence for 3rd graders on how costumes and props communicate character. Students analyze traits, select costume elements, and build cardboard props to bring characters to life.
An inquiry-based exploration of sound design and Foley art for 3rd-grade theater students. Students learn to identify environmental sounds, create sound effects using everyday objects, analyze how audio influences emotion, and perform a live soundscape for a silent scene.
A comprehensive graduate-level course on the professional development of a new play, focusing on revision strategies, collaborative feedback, and industry-standard submission practices. Students transition from draft to a polished, professional-grade script and submission package.
An advanced playwriting sequence for graduate students focusing on the technical mechanics of dialogue. It treats dramatic text as musical notation, exploring how rhythm, syntax, and silence construct power dynamics and atmosphere.
An advanced playwriting sequence for graduate students focusing on the psychological architecture of dramatic characters, subtextual dialogue, and character-driven narrative structures. Students progress from deconstructing archetypes to writing a one-act draft grounded in behavioral truth and internal contradiction.
A 5-lesson sequence for 5th-grade students focusing on the iterative process of playwriting, from the first table read to a final, polished performance-ready script. Students develop skills in auditory analysis, dialogue refinement, conciseness, and collaboration.
Students learn to translate narrative fiction into dramatic scripts by analyzing storytelling modes, converting internal thoughts to external actions, and drafting their own theatrical adaptations of fables.
A project-based sequence for 5th-grade students to master the dramatic arc and write a short one-act play focusing on conflict and resolution.
A foundational sequence for 5th-grade students to master the mechanics of playwriting, including script formatting, natural dialogue, and stage directions, culminating in a two-page original scene.
This sequence explores the depths of character development and dialogue for undergraduate playwrights, focusing on psychological realism, objectives, voice differentiation, and the masterly use of subtext. Students progress from building internal character foundations to crafting active, subtext-rich scenes and monologues.
This sequence establishes the technical and structural foundations required for professional playwriting. Students master industry-standard formatting and deconstruct theatrical architecture using classic and contemporary models to understand how structure dictates pacing and dramatic tension.
A project-based sequence for 11th-grade students focusing on the macro-level engineering of a one-act play. Students transition from deconstructing dramatic structures to drafting a complete narrative treatment, emphasizing conflict, stakes, and structural integrity.
A workshop-style series for 11th-grade playwrights focusing on the craft of dialogue. Students learn to differentiate dramatic dialogue from natural speech, develop unique character voices, master subtext, and apply professional script formatting.
A technical foundation for playwriting, moving from critical analysis of dramatic structure and subtext to the mastery of professional industry formatting standards and scene composition.
