Unit(s): History of the Theatre
Purpose:
To familiarize students with terminology and a time line for different periods of history in theatre
Objective:
Students will research important people and trends from one period of history in the theatre and share that knowledge with classmates.
Materials:
- Reference materials related to theatre history
- Handout of important names and terms from each period of history to direct students' research
- Optional: Handouts from Basic Drama Projects - "Appendix A--History of Theatre"
Procedure:
- Divide the class into 7 committees and assign each group one of the following topics:
A. Greek Drama
B. Medieval Drama
C. Renaissance Drama
D. Elizabethan Drama
E. Restoration Drama
F. 18th and 19th Century Drama
G. American Drama- Give each group a handout listing important names and terms to identify from their time period. Provide them with reference materials and plenty of preparation time.
- Ask them to prepare a group discussion on the theatre during their time period, identifying all of the items on their list.
- Remind them that the class will be tested on the information presented in their group discussion.
- Also ask them to prepare an original scene depicting some theatrical event from the period. For example, the Greeks might reenact the moment when Thespis became the first actor or the Dionysian Academy Awards. The Elizabethans might reenact opening night backstage at the first performance of "Romeo and Juliet."
- This is a very adaptable assignment as far as time is concerned. You can limit their time and research if necessary, or you can expand the assignment into a project that spans several weeks. It can be your entire Theatre History unit, or it can supplement another approach to the unit you undertake. For example, add a specific project to each group's assignment. The committee which discusses Commedia dell'Arte might be asked to demonstrate various examples of lazzi. The committee which discusses Realism might be asked to read and perform scenes from an Ibsen play.