How to Teach Students to Read Drama - a Lesson Plan - Part 1

Students can get actively involved in drama.

One of the keys to successfully teaching drama is getting past the idea that it is not as serious a subject as math or science. A good drama lesson plan will get students thinking about the challenges an actor faces as he figures out how to read his lines. The first step in such an understanding is subtext.

Instructions

1. Explain subtext, the thoughts of a character as she speaks the words of the text. Show how a set of lines can be interpreted in various ways, and that as actors they need to know what their character is thinking to read the lines correctly. As an example, put these lines on the projector:

   "I finally found out where you've been
   and I now know what you've been up to."

   and have a volunteer read them. If the reading is flat, point out that that's because the speaker doesn't know what the lines are referring to: There's no subtext.

2. Offer a first subtext:

   "I know about the affair."

   Have the volunteer say the lines again with this knowledge, perhaps to another volunteer. Afterward, discuss the difference: the anger, unhappiness or sorrow that comes out.

3. Provide a second subtext:

   "I know about the surprise birthday party."

   Once again, have the volunteers read the lines with this background knowledge. Discuss how they read it differently, such as with a sense of joy and excitement.

4. Repeat the steps with the third and fourth subtexts:

   "I know about your drinking problem and want to help you."

   "I know you went to a really disgusting place."

   Again discuss how the given meaning changed the way the lines are expressed.

References

• The Drama Teacher: Innovative Tips For Teaching Drama