Historical evolution of performance, technical stagecraft, and core acting techniques. Develops playwriting skills and fosters imaginative expression through script development and production management.
An advanced literary sequence for high school sophomores exploring archetypal evolution, intertextuality, and the deconstruction of folklore across Victorian literature and modern musical theater. Students analyze the socio-cultural shifts that transform classic legends into modern subversive narratives.
A 12-lesson unit utilizing drama and enactment techniques to deepen reading comprehension, themed around Kuwaiti heritage, global travel, healthy lifestyles, and environmental science for grades 3-8. Focused on skills in action across Before, During, and After reading phases.
A comprehensive introduction to theater for elementary students, covering acting techniques, playwriting, stage types, theater history, and technical "behind the scenes" magic. Students move from basic expression to designing and performing with confidence.
A unit focused on play structure, fluency, and social-emotional problem solving through mystery-themed scripts. Students analyze plot elements while practicing performance skills.
A collection of five fractured fairy tale reader's theater scripts designed for groups of five students, focusing on fluency, expression, and creative retelling.
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 sequence exploring the daily lives and creative processes of renowned artists, starting with John Byrne. Students observe artistic routines and apply those methods to their own creative practice.
A drama-focused sequence for 3rd grade that uses Mystery and Adventure plays to teach reading literature standards RL.3.1, RL.3.4, and RL.3.5. Students move from teacher modeling to independent practice using the gradual release of responsibility.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A project-based learning sequence for theatre students focused on the directorial challenges of staging Matilda Jr. in two vastly different performance spaces: a traditional proscenium auditorium and a modern thrust-stage black box.
A 10-day unit exploring 3D paper construction through the creation of animal forms or masks, focusing on precision, perseverance, and paper engineering.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
