Historical evolution of performance, technical stagecraft, and core acting techniques. Develops playwriting skills and fosters imaginative expression through script development and production management.
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 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.
Unit 1: Stop-Motion Animation & Foundational Research. Students explore persistence of vision, digital research credibility, storyboarding, animation physics, and production.
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.
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.
An 8-session sports broadcasting course for grades 4–12, covering play-by-play, color commentary, interviewing, camera work, audio mixing, and live production directing. Students progress from foundational vocal skills to a complete capstone broadcast project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 three-day exploration of the life and legacy of Indiana-born comedian Red Skelton, presented in a vibrant magazine format. Students explore his early life in Vincennes, his iconic characters, and his lasting impact on American comedy through reading and creative performance activities.
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 unit focused on play structure, fluency, and social-emotional problem solving through mystery-themed scripts. Students analyze plot elements while practicing performance skills.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
A lesson exploring the evolution of English theater during the reign of King James I, focusing on stagecraft, darker themes, and the transition to indoor performance spaces.
A creative, structured guide for students to explore the intersection of graphic design and filmmaking, focusing on branding, character design, and visual storytelling.
A short, impactful drama lesson centered around a school assembly script about Ruby Bridges. Students explore themes of bravery and segregation through performance, visual storytelling, and personal reflection.
An introductory lesson on the fundamentals of scenic design, guiding students to create their own stage groundplans using industry-standard drafting symbols.
A deep dive into cinematic lighting, from the physics of light and 3-point setups to professional styles like Rembrandt and Butterfly lighting, including a hands-on assessment.
A comprehensive culminating research project where students explore a specific theatre style or 'ism'. Students produce a research-heavy Dramaturgy Portfolio, a Creative Design Pitch Deck, and a final Presentation with a visual aid.
A creative hands-on activity where students create their own Elephant and Piggie puppets to act out stories. This lesson focuses on fine motor skills through coloring and cutting, followed by imaginative play.
A creative lesson focused on oral storytelling and character analysis through the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel using DIY finger puppets.
A comprehensive 10-day unit focused on conceptualizing and creating 3D clay miniatures using Model Magic. Students explore career paths like set design and pottery while developing studio habits and problem-solving skills through iterative sculpting and self-analysis.
Students design and build their own paper finger puppets and a tabletop stage using markers and paper. This project combines visual arts with storytelling and performance.
Students explore how written text is translated into visual media by analyzing the relationship between a script and its illustration, culminating in a creative drawing activity based on descriptive prompts.
An introductory lesson into the world of stagecraft, covering the 'Big Five' areas of technical theater, stage directions, and the roles of the tech crew. Students will learn how magic is made behind the scenes through visual slides and a hands-on set design challenge.
A detailed creative play and language lesson where students bring their stuffed animals to life through structured storytelling, interviewing, and role-play. Includes step-by-step teacher facilitation, printable name tags, an interactive interview worksheet, and companion certificates.
A deep dive into Stanislavski's 'System', focusing on using real-world experiences to inform character work through peer interviews.
A 7-minute historical play and supporting materials that explore the origins of the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, Philippines, focusing on themes of resilience and community spirit during the 1980s.
A dynamic lesson on non-verbal communication with two paths: a challenging 'Mime Master' level for older students and a simplified 'Lunch Bunch' version designed for 2nd grade social-emotional learning and casual play.
Students will explore the five elements of plot specifically within the context of dramatic scripts, learning how playwrights build tension and resolve conflict on stage.
Students explore the cultural significance of Hula in Hawaii, learning about its storytelling power through rhythm and movement, and analyzing its influence and representation in musical theatre productions.
A physical and creative lesson introducing students to the art of mime, focusing on non-verbal communication, self-expression, and teamwork through silent performances.
A lesson focused on using the dramatic technique of tableau to explore pivotal moments and emotional themes in Alan Gratz's 'Refugee'. Students will learn the five elements of tableau and work in groups to create living pictures of the three main characters' journeys.
A high-energy drama and literacy lesson focused on prosody, tone, and vocal expression. Students practice reading the same sentence in various moods to discover how delivery changes meaning.
A performance-based task where students adapt and perform scenes from Macbeth. It includes specific scaffolds and assessment tools designed for WIDA Level 2-3 ELLs to demonstrate growth in speaking and listening.
