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Building Blocks of Acting

Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of basic acting skills by performing a scene with a partner.
Subject: Acting Skills & Techniques
Class Level: Intermediate
Main Concepts: Pushing through to objectives using different tactics and pushing through the obstacles
National Standards: Content Standard 2: Acting by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisations and informal or formal productions.
Description: Curriculum Placement: Ninety-minute class periods for Drama II students

Prior Skills/ Knowledge: comfortable performing in front of class, memorizing skills.
Author: Amanda Swanson

Lesson Plans

Lesson 1: Objectives and Tactics

Students will demonstrate their understanding of objectives and tactics by performing a short scene with a partner.

Lesson 2: Voice/ Expression

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the use of their voice on stage by memorizing a short phrase and conveying it in four different ways.

Lesson 3: Characterization/ Background

Students will demonstrate their understanding of their character by completing a character background sheet and applying the information to a real life situation with their scene partner.

Lesson 4: Practice

Students will demonstrate their understanding to this point of acting by practicing their scene for the another group and being evaluated

Lesson 5: Obstacles

Students will demonstrate their understanding of internal and external obstacles by performing their scene working through their obstacles to get to their objective

Lesson 6: Secrets

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the use of a secret in a scene by performing a skit using secrets and reviewing it on video.

Lesson 7: Performance

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of acting by performing their scene in the context of the play.