How Do I Teach a High School Drama Class?
High school drama instructors have an challenging task ahead of them. The typical high school drama class could include students who are committed to acting, and are active in local productions. It can also include those who are taking the class to overcome shyness and have not been formally educated in theater. The successful high school drama teacher will make the year beneficial for all involved while including less experienced students, resulting in at least one production by the end of the year.
Things You'll Need
- Internet
- Pen and paper
- Classroom
- Syllabus
- Costumes
- Props
- Box
- Plays
- Worksheets
- Light equipment
- Sound equipment
- Stage
- Production schedule
Instructions
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Prepare a syllabus for the year and gather needed materials, such as a costume or prop supply. Many drama teachers keep a costume or prop box in the classroom at the ready for any activity.
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Lead the class in a vocal and physical warm up, telling them each class will begin with one. If you decide to teach your class improvisation, the beginning of class is good for improvisation exercises as well.
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3
Surmise the history of the theater in a unit for the class. Go over basic play-writing genres and how plays are formatted.
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Select plays for your students to read throughout the year, both aloud as a group and independently. Assign parts, and rotate them so that students get to read at least one big part throughout the year.
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Have the students fill out work sheets or answer questions aloud about the play's theme and tone. Lead a unit on characterization that will help students with their literature classes and getting into character for a performance.
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Assign a monologue assignment, allowing the students to select one from the plays you have read. Critique the monologues and give students instruction for a repeat performance.
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Dedicate some time to teaching the drama students about the technical aspects on a stage production. Take them into the theater area and devote lesson time to having each student run each technical position.
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Select a production schedule for the plays your class will perform. The shows performed and the amount of performances will be influenced by the size of the drama department and the school's budget and traditions, among other considerations. Some drama classes might just perform selected scenes or short plays for parents and friends, while others are part of a school-wide drama department that puts on several productions a year. After figuring out what kind of performance the class should do, you can determine what students will have to do to ensure their participation grade.
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Choose scenes or plays to perform. Some drama teachers seek student input on this decision, while others assign pieces. All selections must be considered appropriate by the majority of the school's administration and parents.
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Cast the parts by holding auditions. Select a stage crew with specific functions during the run, or assign a student stage manager to do this. Make sure someone is in charge of sets, costumes, props, lighting, sound and stage management.
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Make a rehearsal schedule for the performances. Decide if rehearsals will be done mostly in class or after school.
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Provide blocking, on stage movement for the actors at specific point in the script, and give the students deadlines for memorizing their lines.
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Focus on specific scenes in rehearsals. Have several weeks of rehearsals, the last one in final dress. Promote the show, tell the students how far they've come, take your place and tell the kids to break a leg for the final production of the drama class.
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References
Resources
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