My Lesson Plans

This four-day theatrical design unit for 6th-grade, introduces students to costume, set, lighting, and sound design through the African folktale Anansi the Spider. Through hands-on activities, they sketch costumes, build set models, plan lighting cues, and create soundscapes to enhance storytelling. Emphasizing collaboration, the unit allows students to specialize while working as a team. It culminates in group presentations where they showcase their designs, reflect on their creative choices, and explore careers in theatrical design.

In this interactive 3-4 day unit, students will explore the art of Bunraku puppetry, a traditional Japanese theatre form that emphasizes teamwork, bold physical acting, and cultural appreciation. Through hands-on puppet construction, movement exercises, and collaborative storytelling, students will develop essential theatre skills using their body, voice, and imagination. The unit culminates in a group performance where students bring their puppets to life, showcasing their creativity and newfound understanding of this unique performance style.

This interactive 90-minute lesson teaches students vocal projection for clear, confident speech in performance. Through warm-ups, breathing exercises, and vocal drills, they practice volume, articulation, and clarity. Engaging activities like the "Hello" introduction and a call-and-response poem help refine their skills. By the end, students understand projection’s importance in theatre and everyday communication.

In this four-day unit for 6th-grade, students will explore the art of storytelling through Reader’s Theatre, focusing on vocal expression, physicality, and staging. Through interactive activities like the "Emotion Wheel" and "Park Bench," students will experiment with intonation, emphasis, and body language to bring characters to life. They will then rehearse and block their scenes, applying theatrical techniques to enhance their performances. The unit culminates in a final performance, where students showcase their expressive reading and staging skills. Along the way, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for theatre!

In this post-performance facilitation plan, students reflect on a play through a collaborative visual activity called Visual Dramaturgy. After a brief performance debrief, students work together to illustrate key moments from a chosen story. The process involves silent drawing, gallery walks, and adding details to others' work. The session concludes with a "magic soup" game, where students share their favorite takeaways from the activity.

This 60-minute lesson plan teaches K-2 students about bodily autonomy and boundaries through theatre, yoga, and interactive activities. Students engage with the story Can I Give You A Squish?, exploring consent and respecting others' boundaries. Activities include physicalizing friendly gestures, practicing consent through call-and-response, and brainstorming creative ways to show affection. The lesson concludes with a fun song to reinforce the importance of boundaries.

This 60-minute lesson explores bullying and peer pressure with 6th-grade students. Through interactive activities like Stand Up If... and Conscience Alley, students engage in discussions and role-plays to recognize the effects of peer pressure, evaluate bullying prevention strategies, and develop empathy. The lesson promotes respect, kindness, and self-awareness, fostering a supportive and inclusive school community.

In this three-day unit, 6th-grade students will explore different types of performance spaces while developing essential theatre ensemble skills. Through interactive games, vocabulary exercises, and hands-on activities in the auditorium, students will learn about stage directions, theatre terminology, and the unique characteristics of proscenium, thrust, arena, traverse, and black box theatres. Team-building games and movement-based exercises will foster trust, cooperation, and confidence, helping students collaborate effectively on stage. By the end of the unit, students will have a foundational understanding of theatre spaces and ensemble performance, setting the stage for future theatrical experiences!

This four-day Commedia dell’Arte unit immerses 7th-grade students in the energetic world of Italian theatre through movement, improvisation, and mask-making. Students begin by exploring the history of Commedia, learning about its stock characters and exaggerated physicality. They then experiment with lazzi (comic bits) and improv games to develop their comedic timing and creativity. As the unit progresses, students craft their own Commedia masks and collaborate in small groups to devise short skits inspired by classic scenarios. The unit culminates in lively performances where they showcase their understanding of character, physical comedy, and storytelling, bringing the vibrant tradition of Commedia dell’Arte to life!

This six-day lesson plan explores sound design in theatre, guiding students through the history, tools, and techniques used to enhance storytelling. Students work with Audacity and QLab to design soundscapes for scenes from The Glass Menagerie, marking scripts with sound cues and creating sound elements. The course includes collaborative work, peer feedback, and a final presentation of their designs, focusing on technical and creative skills.

This six-day unit in Technical Theatre focuses on developing students' ability to analyze a play and create designs that enhance storytelling through technical elements. Students will read The Monkey's Paw, identify design needs (set, sound, props, makeup, costumes, and lighting), and explore how these elements contribute to the mood, tone, and themes of the play. They learn how to design scenic concepts, lighting, props, sound, costumes, and makeup, each contributing to the play's overall atmosphere. Students engage in activities such as sketching, researching, and experimenting with sound and lighting effects. On the final day, students present their designs and reflect on the integration of technical elements in storytelling, discussing challenges, successes, and the importance of cohesive design. The unit culminates with a creative "Dream Show" pitch, allowing students to showcase their design ideas for future productions.

This Soundscape Design unit is a 6-day tech theatre lesson plan that focuses on the creation and editing of soundscapes. Students will learn how to analyze and record environmental sounds, apply editing techniques to build dynamic soundscapes, and reflect on the role of sound design in storytelling. Throughout the unit, students will record a variety of sounds, experiment with sound editing software, and construct a cohesive audio story with a clear narrative. They will refine their work, focusing on emotional impact, pacing, and transitions. The unit concludes with presentations of their final soundscapes, peer feedback, and self-reflection on their creative process.