From Ritual to Broadway
Contributing Educator: Michelle Robbins
This unit includes 9 core lessons and a suggested final assessment that form the foundation of a History of Theatre Unit. Some of the lessons may take more than one class period. I have created this Unit for an Advanced Theatre class. You have the discretion of what to use and what to leave behind. If you feel as if the timeline for a lesson can be compressed feel free.
Each lesson here is a launchpad for you to revise, expand, or streamline to meet the needs of your students and program. These lessons are timed for 90-minute class periods. If you teach 45-minute classes you can divide each lesson into 2 sections. Feel free to adjust the focus, expand or cut down whatever works for you. Most importantly, it should be fun. This is not a talking head in front of the class type of unit. It is meant to engage and involve the students.
This History of Theatre unit is intended for students to explore the history of our Theatre art form. Taking a brief look at the events in history that impacted Theatre as well as how Theatre impacted history. Keeping kids active, engaged and in a collaboration is culturally responsive teaching. Dramallama believes learning should be an active, joyful, collaborative experience.
This unit is aligned with the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) for theatre to ensure that the content meets (or exceeds) expectations for high school-level courses.
Lesson Plans Included: 10
Materials: Printable Resources and Activities are included to help guide your work and support student learning.
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan Topics
- Story and Ritual - The Origins of Performance [TH: Cr1.1.ll, TH Pr5.1.8]
- Greeks Theatre - Myths, Masks, and Choruses [TH: Cr2.1.l, TH: Re7.1.lll]
- Medieval Theatre - Faith, Festivals, and Morality [TH:Cr2.1.I, TH:Cn11.1.I]
- Reformation and Renaissance - Humanism Shapes the Stage [TH: Cr2.1.l, TH:Re9.1.I]
- Shakespeare - Language, Characters, and Power [TH:Pr4.1.I, TH: Re7.1.lll]
- Commedia - Masks, Improv, and Archetypes [TH:Pr5.1.I, TH:Cn10.1.I]
- Royal Theatre and Restoration Theatre - Wit, Spectacle, and Society [TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Cn11.2.I]
- 19th Century - Truth, Conflict, and Everyday Life [TH:Pr6.1.I, TH:Re8.1.I]
- Theatre Today - Voices, Movements, and Innovation [TH:Cr2.1.I, TH: Re7.1.lll]
- Final Project and Performance - Review, Reflect, Perform [TH: Cr3.1.l, TH: Re7.1.lll]
