Lesson plan of Theater: Introduction

Objectives (5 minutes)

1. Introduce the concept and history of theatre to students, allowing them to understand what theatre is and how it came to be.
2. Identify and explain the main basic aspects that make up a theatre play, such as characters, setting, plot, and dialogue.
3. Provide an overview of the different roles within a theatre production, such as the roles of the director, actors, playwrights, and production crew.
4. Spark students’ interest and appreciation for theatre, encouraging them to attend theatre plays and participate in theatre-related activities.

Secondary objectives:

1. Develop students’ verbal and non-verbal communication skills through theatre exercises.
2. Stimulate students’ imagination, creativity, and emotional expression through the exploration of different characters and stories.

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the lesson by briefly reviewing what was learned in previous Arts classes, highlighting the points that connect with the topic of theatre. For example, if in previous classes the students studied about forms of artistic expression, the teacher can connect these concepts with theatrical expression.

2. Next, the teacher proposes two problem situations:

   • First, the teacher suggests that the students imagine that they are in an environment without electricity, television, computers, or cell phones. How could they entertain themselves? What kind of activity could they develop to have fun and express their ideas and emotions? This introduces the idea that theatre is an ancient art that was born from the human need to tell stories and express emotions.
   • In the second situation, the teacher asks the students to imagine that they have been invited to participate in a theatre play at school. What would they need to know to participate? What different roles could they play?

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of theatre in real life, explaining that theatre is not only a form of entertainment, but also a form of expression that allows us to understand different perspectives and experiences. In addition, the teacher can mention that many important skills can be developed through theatre, such as the ability to communicate effectively, work in a team, solve problems, and think creatively.

4. To gain the students’ attention, the teacher can share some curiosities about theatre, such as:

   • Theatre is one of the oldest forms of art, with records of theatre plays dating back over 2,500 years ago in ancient Greece.
   • In the beginning, all the characters were played by men, even the female characters.
   • There are different types of theatre around the world, each with its own peculiarities, such as Kabuki theatre in Japan, where the actors use heavy makeup and exaggerated expressions to convey emotions.

With this, the students should be engaged and ready to learn more about theatre and how it works.

Development (25 minutes)

1. Explanation of Initial Concepts (5 minutes):

   1. The teacher begins the teaching session by explaining the concept of theatre. He describes theatre as an art form in which actors perform a story live for an audience, using dialogue, gestures, scenery, costumes, and other elements.
   2. The teacher emphasizes that theatre is a way to communicate emotions and ideas and that, just like books and movies, a play also tells a story.
   3. The teacher can use examples of famous theatres, such as Shakespeare, to illustrate the ways in which plays can vary in terms of plot, characters, and theme.

2. Theory of Theatre Elements (10 minutes):

   1. The teacher goes on to explain the various elements that make up a play. This includes the plot (the story of the play), the characters (the people or entities in the play), the setting (where the story takes place), and the dialogue (how the story is told).
   2. To make the theory more tangible, the teacher can select a simple and age-appropriate play for children and use that play as an example when explaining the different elements.
   3. With this play, the teacher can walk through the plot, identify and describe the characters, point out where the story is taking place (setting), and highlight significant examples of dialogue.
   4. The teacher can also ask students for examples of where they can identify these elements in theatre, movies, or TV shows they watch.

3. Theory of Roles in Theatre (10 minutes):

   1. The teacher now goes on to explain the structure of a theatre production, highlighting the different roles involved. This includes the role of the director (who oversees the production), the actors (who play the characters), the playwrights (who write the plot and dialogue), and the production crew (who take care of aspects such as scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound).
   2. The teacher can take the same play used earlier and show the students how each role would have contributed to the play. For example, how the playwright created the dialogue, how the director led the production, how the actors brought the characters to life, and how the production crew put together the scenery and took care of the other technical details.
   3. Again, the teacher can ask the students to identify these roles in theatre, movie, or TV productions they have watched.
   4. This session should end with a brief review of each topic covered and a space for questions and answers to clarify any remaining doubts.

With the end of this step-by-step, the students should have a basic understanding of what theatre is, how it works, and what roles are involved in a theatre production. The teacher should always remember to validate the students’ knowledge by asking them to share examples from their own experiences.

Feedback (10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (4 minutes):

   1. The teacher encourages a time for group discussion, where the students can share their reflections and insights regarding the topics addressed in the class.
   2. Each group of students can be asked to share something they learned or found interesting about theatre, whether it is a specific aspect of theatre production, a character from a play, or even a historical fact about theatre. This allows for the exchange of ideas and collaboration among the students.

2. Connection of Theory with Practice (3 minutes):

   1. The teacher then asks the students to make a connection between what they learned in class and the activities they do in their daily lives, whether it is watching movies, shows, or plays at school or in the community.
   2. The students can be encouraged to identify elements of theatre in different scenarios, such as a cartoon, a school play, or even a video on the internet.
   3. This exercise helps students see the relevance of what they learned in class to their everyday lives.

3. Individual Reflection (3 minutes):

   1. Finally, the teacher proposes a moment of individual reflection, where each student can think about what they learned in class.
   2. Two questions could be suggested to guide this reflection:
      • "What was the most interesting part of today's class on theatre and why?"
      • "How can you use what you learned today about theatre in your life?"
   3. The teacher may ask some students to share their reflections with the class, if they feel comfortable.

By ending the class with this feedback stage, the teacher not only reinforces the concepts learned, but also promotes reflection and the application of these concepts in students’ daily lives. This feedback practice is essential to ensure that the class was effective and that the learning objectives were achieved.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Review of Concepts (2 minutes):

   1. The teacher begins the conclusion by reviewing the main points discussed during the class, reinforcing the concept of theatre, its main elements (plot, characters, setting, dialogue), and the different roles in a theatre production (director, actors, playwrights, production crew).
   2. He can highlight some examples discussed during the class to recall the concepts and make connections with what the students shared during the feedback.

2. Connection of Theory with Practice (1 minute):

   1. The teacher then reinforces how the theory learned in class connects with practice, reminding students of how they can identify elements of theater and roles in theater production in their everyday lives, whether it is by watching a movie, a play, or even a theater presentation at school.

3. Suggestion of Extra Materials (1 minute):

   1. The teacher suggests extra materials for students to deepen their knowledge of theatre. This could include books about theatre, plays written for children, movies or cartoons that feature theatre productions.
   2. He can also suggest that students attend a live theatre play (if possible) or watch one online, to have a practical experience of what was discussed in class.

4. Importance of Theatre (1 minute):

   1. Finally, the teacher concludes the class by emphasizing the importance of theatre both as an art form and entertainment, and as a tool for expression and communication.
   2. He can mention how theatre helps develop important skills, such as communication, teamwork, and creativity.
   3. The teacher can encourage students to explore theatre, whether by attending plays, reading about theatre, or even participating in a theatre production at school.

With the conclusion of this class, students should have a basic understanding of theatre, its elements, and the different roles in a theatre production. They should also have a greater appreciation for theatre and be excited to explore more about this topic.