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A World Which No Longer Makes Sense

by Lindsay Price

In this lesson, students will be introduced to a Black writer who explores racism through the absurdist form: Adrienne Kennedy.

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Slide Deck Lesson 5

# The Basics

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Unit Projects

by Lindsay Price

Decide how students will demonstrate their knowledge of the unit. A variety of activities have been provided. You can choose to have all your students do the same activity, or allow students to choose from the provided activities to demonstrate their knowledge. Rubrics are provided.

# The Basics

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Texture

by Matt Webster

Students explore the design concept of texture and how it can be used by a designer to affect an audience. They will also combine what they have learned thus far to create a dream room.

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Slide Deck Lesson 3

# Stage Management & Technical Theatre

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Characterization

by Corinna Rezzelle

Students explore what makes a character interesting through the examination of physical objects. What do objects say about us? What can you infer about a person by the objects they carry with them? Students will role-play in process drama activities to explore characters and to create their own.

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Slide Deck Lesson 1

# Playwriting

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Physicalization / Stage Movement

by Corinna Rezzelle

Students explore how body language can show a story (i.e. how someone is feeling, character traits, relationships between characters, etc.). The lesson culminates in students using a physical elliptical scene (a scene with just stage directions) and adding movements, gestures, and body language.

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Slide Deck Lesson 2

# Playwriting

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Contentless Scenes / Building Scenes

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students will start their scene work first with a contentless scene, a one-minute scene, and then (for homework) write a one-page scene based on a real life experience.

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Slide Deck Lesson 3

# Playwriting

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Choosing a Topic

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students discuss and choose a topic for their devised piece.

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Slide Deck Lesson 4

# Playwriting

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Beginning to Write

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students begin putting the pieces together for their devised work. Students brainstorm on their topic, then participate in a movement piece and a forum theatre activity to explore their topic.

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Slide Deck Lesson 5

# Playwriting

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Building the Play

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students continue to build the play by writing and revising scenes, reading each other’s work, and providing feedback.

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Slide Deck Lesson 6

# Playwriting

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The Ren Run

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students will work in groups to create transitions in improvised tableaux and movement pieces. They will also participate in a “ren run” to practice improv blocking.

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Slide Deck Lesson 7

# Playwriting

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Revision

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson students watch the Ren Run then discuss the topic of revision. What is the message of the play? How do the scenes communicate the message? Note: Depending on the amount of revisions your students feel the play needs, revising might take longer than one lesson. Feel free to add time, if need be.

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Slide Deck Lesson 9

# Playwriting

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Rehearsal

by Corinna Rezzelle

In this lesson, students finalize casting, then start rehearsing. Focus the rehearsals on blocking. What is the necessary movement to communicate the content of the scene?

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Slide Deck Lesson 9

# Playwriting

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Rehearsal / Character Development

by Corinna Rezzelle

Students continue to rehearse. In this lesson, character development exercises deepen the students’ experiences and final products.

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Slide Deck Lesson 10

# Playwriting

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Rehearsal / Designing the play

by Corinna Rezzelle

Students continue to rehearse. They also move on to the design phase of the project. The group will decide upon costuming and props for the performance. NOTE: Keep costumes and props simple. Black works well for costumes with colourful accents.

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