Building Blocks of a stage production

Theatre 1 (9-12) 150 mins (3 Classes)

Essential Question: How many different aspects of theatre are there, what impact do these
aspects have on a performance, and which one do I believe is the best outlet for my theatrical
creativity?

This lesson will introduce all students to the different aspects of theatre and performance. Students
will be introduced to technical design, stagecraft, directing, and stage management. Students will be
assigned one topic of theatre that they have not yet explored.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this assignment students will understand a new facet of theatre that they did not
previously understand or that they were not previously aware of. Students will create a performance
presentation based on the new skills that they have learned by researching their particular topic.
Curriculum alignment
This assignment meets the following Nevada state education requirements: 1.12.3 Explain and
demonstrate knowledge of varied responsibilities of technical personnel involved in television, theater,
film or electronic media production. 1.12.2 Create a theatrical performance by conducting auditions,
casting characters, directing scenes, and conducting production meetings
Materials needed
Students will need access to the internet via computer lab, or in classroom computers, as well as
access to our theatre textbook. At the end of the project we will need access to the theatre for each
students presentations.
Technology resources
Students will need access to computers and also access to some type of presentation creation
software. As a class we will need access to a projector, and access to the theatre tech booth.
Pre-activities
Before being split off into individual work we will go over a brief overview of each aspect of theatre
that we will be investigating. We will go through this via a PowerPoint presentation that I have put
together.

Activities
Students will be making a presentation or physical performance piece based on the topic they have
been assigned. Students will work in groups after investigating the job they have been assigned in
order to perform and organize a short 5 minute piece.
Assessment
The final assessment for this project will be a short 1 page report on the job they investigated and
their experience being in this position for a performance, as well as completing a short five minute
piece in a small group with the position assigned to them at the beginning of the assignment. Each
small group will have 2 actors, one stage manager, one director, one lighting/audio designer, one set
designer, and one costuming/makeup designer.