Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the concept and evolution of contemporary theatre, from the end of the 19th century to the present day.

   • Students should be able to discuss and analyze how contemporary theatre differs from classical and Renaissance theatre, both in terms of themes and dramaturgical techniques.

2. Identify and discuss the main characteristics of contemporary theatre.

   • Students should be able to describe and explain fundamental characteristics of contemporary theatre, such as breaking the fourth wall, the use of metatheatre, the appreciation of the actor and the text, among others.

3. Analyze and interpret contemporary theatrical texts.

   • Students should be able to read and interpret contemporary play texts, identifying the characteristics discussed and relating them to the sociocultural context of the time.

Secondary objectives:

• Foster appreciation and taste for contemporary theatre, encouraging students to attend theatrical plays or dramatized readings.
• Develop critical and analytical thinking skills, allowing students to form their own opinions and interpretations of contemporary theatre.
• Promote active participation of students, through discussions and practical activities, to enhance understanding and engagement with the topic.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Content:

   • The teacher should start by briefly reviewing the concepts of classical and Renaissance theatre, highlighting their main characteristics (use of masks, five-act structure, etc.) and their historical importance. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem Situations:

   • The teacher can then propose two problem situations to arouse the students' interest. The first could be the presentation of an excerpt from a contemporary play that uses an innovative dramaturgical technique (for example, breaking the fourth wall). The second could be the discussion on the importance of contemporary theatre in representing diversity and social inclusion. (3 - 5 minutes)

3. Contextualization:

   • The teacher should then explain the importance of contemporary theatre, highlighting how it reflects and influences society, addressing current and controversial issues. One can mention, for example, the role of theatre in the fight for civil rights, in representing diversity and in social criticism. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Gaining the Students' Attention:

   • To arouse the students' curiosity, the teacher can share some curiosities about contemporary theatre. For example, one can mention that some contemporary plays are written without dialogue, focusing on the physical action and non-verbal expression of the actors. Another curiosity is that, in some contemporary plays, actors can improvise parts of the dialogue or interact directly with the audience. (2 - 3 minutes)

5. Introduction to the Topic:

   • Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of the class - contemporary theatre - and briefly explain what the students will learn. (1 - 2 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity "Traveling Through Time": (10 - 12 minutes)

   • This activity aims to make students understand the evolution of contemporary theatre, from the end of the 19th century to the present day. To do this, the teacher should divide the class into groups of 5 to 6 students and give each group a blank timeline, marking the beginning at the end of the 19th century and the end in the present day.
   • Each group of students will receive a series of cards, each containing the name of a contemporary play and a brief summary of its plot and dramaturgical characteristics. The cards should be shuffled and distributed randomly among the groups.
   • The task of the students is to place the cards in chronological order on the timeline, according to the period in which the play was written. They should also discuss and justify their choices, relating the characteristics of the plays to the sociocultural context of the time.
   • After completing the activity, each group should present their timeline to the class, explaining their choices and discussions.

2. Activity "Creating Your Own Play": (10 - 13 minutes)

   • In this activity, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned about contemporary theatre in practice. The teacher should continue with the same groups from the previous activity.
   • Each group will receive a large sheet of paper and colored markers. They should create an outline of a contemporary play, including the title, plot, characters and main scenes.
   • The play should reflect the characteristics of contemporary theatre discussed in class, such as breaking the fourth wall, the use of metatheatre, the appreciation of the actor and the text, among others.
   • After completing the activity, each group should briefly present their play to the class, explaining how they applied the characteristics of contemporary theatre in their outline.
   • The teacher should encourage creativity and originality, and may give extra points for the most innovative and well-crafted plays.

3. Activity "Debate on Contemporary Theatre": (5 - 10 minutes)

   • To finalize the Development stage, the teacher should promote a classroom debate on contemporary theatre. The teacher can divide the class into two groups, one defending the importance of contemporary theatre and the other arguing against it.
   • Each group should prepare their arguments based on what was discussed during class, and each student should have the opportunity to express their opinion.
   • The purpose of the debate is not only to deepen the students' understanding of contemporary theatre, but also to develop argumentation and critical thinking skills.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion: (3 - 4 minutes)

   • After each group's presentations, the teacher should encourage a group discussion where each group can ask questions or comment on the presentations of others. This will allow students to learn from each other and see different perspectives on contemporary theatre.
   • During the discussion, the teacher should ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate and that the environment is respectful and collaborative. The teacher can ask questions to stimulate discussion and student reflection, such as "Which contemporary play do you think has the most relevance to today and why?" or "How do you think a contemporary play on the topic you chose would be like?"

2. Connection with Theory: (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should then make the connection between the practical activities and the theory of contemporary theatre, recalling the characteristics of this type of theatre that were applied by the groups in their plays and how they reflect the sociocultural context of the time.
   • For example, if a group created a play that used the metatheatre technique extensively, the teacher can explain how this technique emerged in contemporary theatre and why it was considered innovative at the time.

3. Individual Reflection: (2 - 3 minutes)

   • Finally, the teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they have learned in class. The teacher can ask questions to guide students' reflection, such as "What was the most important concept you learned today?" or "What questions have not been answered yet?"
   • The teacher should give the students a minute to think about their answers, and then ask some volunteers to share their reflections with the class. This will not only reinforce the students' learning, but will also allow the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the class and make adjustments for the next class, if necessary.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Content Recapitulation: (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should begin the Conclusion by reviewing the main points covered during the class. This includes the definition and evolution of contemporary theatre, its main characteristics and the importance of analyzing and interpreting theatrical texts from that era.
   • It should be emphasized how contemporary theatre reflects and influences society, dealing with current and controversial issues, and how innovative dramaturgical techniques allow playwrights to express their ideas in unique and impactful ways.

2. Connection between Theory, Practice and Applications: (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should then explain how the class connected the theory of contemporary theatre with practice, through the activities "Traveling Through Time" and "Creating Your Own Play".
   • It should be emphasized how these activities allowed students to not only better understand contemporary theatre, but also to apply their knowledge in a creative and original way.

3. Extra Materials: (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of contemporary theatre. This can include reading contemporary plays, attending plays or dramatized readings, and researching specific playwrights and theatrical movements.
   • The teacher can also suggest films, documentaries and podcasts on contemporary theatre, which can be a fun and engaging way to learn more about the subject.

4. Importance of Contemporary Theatre: (1 minute)

   • Finally, the teacher should reinforce the importance of contemporary theatre for students' everyday lives. It should be highlighted how contemporary theatre, with its innovative techniques and current themes, can be a powerful tool for expressing ideas, promoting empathy and inclusion, and questioning society's norms and values.
   • The teacher can also mention how studying contemporary theatre can benefit students in other areas, such as literature, history, sociology and the arts in general.

5. Closing: (1 minute)

   • To end the class, the teacher should thank the students for their participation and encourage them to continue exploring the wonderful world of contemporary theatre. The teacher should reiterate that they are available to clarify any doubts that students may have and that they look forward to the next class.