Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Theater: Introduction

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is vital for establishing a clear learning path for both students and teachers. By outlining specific objectives, learners are guided on what aspects of theatre and its productions are important to grasp. This ensures our classroom time is effectively spent on meaningful discussions and hands-on activities, using the prior knowledge students bring from home.

Objective Utama:

1. Equip learners with the skills to identify key elements of theatre, including set design, costumes, characters, and plot, and how these elements come together to create a theatrical production.

2. Develop an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of those involved in a theatre production, such as actors, directors, and technical crew.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage active engagement from learners through questions and discussions about their previous experiences and thoughts on theatre.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage aims to engage learners while revisiting prior knowledge about theatre, using problem-based situations that encourage reflection and practical application of concepts. Moreover, contextualizing the topic with real-world examples and interesting facts illustrates the relevance of studying theatre in daily life and broader culture, sparking learners' interest and laying the groundwork for more interactive and hands-on activities.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you are directing a theatre production and must decide how each character should be dressed and what set would best suit the story. What factors will you consider in making those choices?

2. Picture yourselves as leading actors in a play. How would you rehearse your lines and movements to ensure the audience grasps the story without relying heavily on dialogue?

Contextualization

Theatre is one of the oldest and most universal forms of art, used to entertain, educate, and provoke thought about society. Even today, in grand theatres around the world, actors prepare in dressing rooms, sets are constructed on stage, and curtains rise for stories that can reshape how people view the world. Theatre also heavily influences other artistic mediums, such as film and television, through acting techniques and storytelling.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage allows students to put their prior knowledge of theatre into action through practical, playful activities. Learners will work in teams to tackle challenges, develop their creative expression skills, and appreciate the significance of each component in a theatre production. The activities help to solidify theoretical understanding through practice, ensuring a more meaningful and engaging learning experience.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Magical Set Design

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Foster creativity and teamwork by applying set design principles.

- Description: Students will be split into groups of up to 5. Each group will receive a box filled with various items (fabrics, construction paper, coloured paper, small decorations, etc.). The challenge is to create a set for a theatre production that depicts a magical environment, like an enchanted forest or the inside of a castle.

- Instructions:

• Divide learners into groups of no more than 5.

• Distribute boxes of assorted materials to each group.

• Each group must collaborate to plan how to utilize the materials to build the magical set.

• After planning, groups will have 40 minutes to construct the set.

• At the end, each group will present their set, explaining their creative decisions and how it might be used in a theatre production.

Activity 2 - Costume Enigma

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage inference and creativity in costume design, and stimulate discussion about how costumes shape perceptions of characters in a play.

- Description: In this activity, students will be grouped and tasked with creating costumes for characters in a fictional theatre piece, without knowing the characters or plot. They will use fabrics, props, and craft materials based on mysterious descriptive keywords like 'enchanted', 'mysterious', and 'fun'.

- Instructions:

• Organise students into groups of up to 5 members.

• Provide fabrics, props, and craft materials to each group.

• Present enigmatic descriptions of characters and the setting of the theatrical piece.

• Groups must create costumes that match the descriptions, without knowing exactly which character their costume belongs to.

• At the end, each group presents their costume, while the class guesses which character it was intended for.

Activity 3 - Drama in Action

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance acting skills, script adaptation, and teamwork.

- Description: Students will be grouped to choose a scene from a well-known story (from a book, movie, or traditional tale) to perform. They will adapt the script, write dialogues, and can even modify the scene's conclusion. Additionally, each group must select an appropriate set and costumes for their presentation.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Every group chooses the scene they wish to act out and adapts the script as needed.

• Plan and assemble the scene's set and costumes.

• Rehearse the scene, focusing on body language, diction, and interaction between characters.

• Present the scene to the class, followed by a brief discussion on the choices made in the adaptation and performance.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to reinforce the practical and theoretical learning acquired during the lesson, providing learners with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share insights with their peers. This discussion bolsters the importance of teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking, while also serving as an informal assessment of students' understanding of the topic.

Group Discussion

After completing the practical activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start with: 'Today we explored various facets of theatre through creative and engaging activities. I’d like each group to share what they created and the key lessons learned during the activities. Let's kick off with the group that worked on the magical set.'

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced when creating the set or costume, and how did you overcome them?

2. How did teamwork contribute to completing the tasks?

3. In what ways did the practical activities change or reinforce your understanding of theatre?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion stage serves to consolidate learning, emphasising the key points of the lesson and how they connect to learners' real lives and everyday experiences. This moment is essential to enable students to reflect on the value of theatre and practical activities in developing essential skills, reinforcing the importance of what they've learned, and gearing them up for future explorations in the arts.

Summary

In this final segment, the teacher should recap the key aspects covered regarding theatre, reminding learners about the definition and core components of a theatrical piece, such as set design, costumes, characters, and plot. The teacher should also revisit the practical activities conducted, highlighting the creative solutions and insights observed.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson effectively connected theory to practice, allowing learners to apply theatrical concepts learned at home in practical activities like crafting sets and costumes, as well as performing scenes. This approach has strengthened theoretical knowledge and showcased the value of theatre as an art form that embraces collaboration, creativity, and expression.

Closing

Lastly, it's important to highlight the significance of studying theatre for learners' personal and social growth. Through the various activities, they experienced teamwork, problem-solving, and creative expression—skills that are essential not only in the arts but in many areas of daily life.