This bundle includes 6 handouts for your students to help them understand the differences in dramatic styles and the key features that they consist of. Included are: Absurdism Agit-prop Brecht Comedy Commedia Dell Arte Style sheet (short definitions of various styles) Theatre of Cruelty (Artaud)

This unit of work will introduce Absurdism and Theatre of the Absurd to the students. This scheme of work can be delivered over 4/5 lessons depending on length and includes connected warm-ups, tasks and opportunity for discussion. Aspects include: Status Sub-text Stream of Conscious Lucky’s speech from ‘Waiting for Godot’ is used for inspiration. A handout for the students with facts and features is also included.

This scheme of work offers an introduction to Brecht. Various exercises and practical tasks will help the students to understand his ideas and theories and apply them to their own devising and performance work. The 6 page unit includes tasks to explore: Archetypes and Gestus 3rd person V-effeckt Episodic structure A list of his techniques is included at the end of the scheme which could be printed off as a hand-out/checklist for the students. The unit ends with a practical tasks using ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ as a stimulus to create their own Brechtian piece.

This complete scheme of work uses three different stimuli to inspire students to devise drama based on the theme of ‘Captives’. The scheme which would last between 6 and 8 lessons depending on length includes opportunities for discussion, exploration, devising, rehearsing, performance and evaluation. Connected warm-ups and exercises are included and tasks range from pair, trio and group work sizes. The tasks incorporate a huge range of drama techniques such as: Still Image Thought Tracking Cross cutting Movement Space Levels Voice Music Flash back There is also a slide of some images to provoke discussion and a sheet of suggested written tasks to help the students record their exploration.

This complete unit of work explores the play and style of Poor Theatre through various practical activities. Although written a while ago the themes and contexts are very relevant today about how society treats people who are ‘different’ and how an autistic child sees the world. Skills included over several lesson are: Vocal awareness Physicalisation Language Characterisation Interpretation Non-verbal communication Visual, aural and spatial aspects Context

This complete scheme of work explores the plot, characters, themes and context of this classic comedy. Skills included over ten 100 minute session are: Vocal awareness Physicalisation Language Characterisation Interpretation Non-verbal communication Visual, aural and spatial aspects Context

This complete scheme of work explores Berkoff’s ‘Agamemnon’ through a variety of practical tasks. Berkoff’s style is used to introduce students to this practitioner and how he has modernised the ancient Greek story. Design aspects are encouraged too to support the practical exploration. An intense, physical scheme of work. Please also see my scheme of work on Berkoff’s .Metamorphosis’. Skills included over eight 100 minute session are: Vocal awareness Physicalisation Language Characterisation Interpretation Non-verbal communication Visual, aural and spatial aspects Context

This unit of work explores the plot, characters and context of Mark Wheeller’s play. Various practical tasks incorporating characterisation, movement, voice, space and text and off text work.

This full scheme of work offers opportunities for the students to explore the text in a variety of ways. Tasks incorporate plot, themes, context, character through practical exploration and ideas for recording their findings as a diary. Although written a long time ago, the themes of the horror of war and PTSS are relevant today. Skills included over several sessions are: Vocal awareness Physicalisation Language Characterisation Interpretation Non-verbal communication Visual, aural and spatial aspects Context

This scheme of work explores Olwen Wymark’s ‘Find Me’ in numerous ways. The tasks explore use of voice and movement, off text work, characterisation, plot and context.

This scheme of work explores Lorca’s ‘Blood Wedding’ through a comprehensive list of tasks. These include tasks to look at voice, movement, space, choral work, characterisation, plot and sub plot. Also applying the concepts of Brecht and Stanislavski to enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding. Lorca’s beautiful, poetic language is incorporated alongside folklore and the Andalusian landscape with heaps of imagery to experiment with. Skills included over many sessions are: Vocal awareness Physicalisation Language Characterisation Interpretation Non-verbal communication Visual, aural and spatial aspects Context

This three lesson unit introduces the students to Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty. Connected warm-ups are included leading to a group devised piece using fairytales as a stimulus to create a piece in this style incorporating the key features. Style Form Characterisation Narration Use of sound Use of movement Use of gesture

This scheme of work explores the play based on the much loved book by David Almond. It includes connected games and warm ups and group tasks using choral work, movement and vocal skills to explore plot, characters and themes. Tasks are linked to the text and off-text work and use many dramatic techniques. Questions are suggested for evaluation after each task and the scheme lasts four to five lessons depending on their length.

An introduction to the concept of mirroring using movement. This distinguishes the difference between copying and mirroring and encourages pair work. A good ice breaker for a one off lesson with a new class as no dialogue is required. Concentration Focus Timing Clarity of movement Speed Shape Size Co-ordination Response to music

This unit encourages students to think about what a stage set can depict to an audience and how it can also be used as a stimulus. The students will enter the space to a pre-set stage set and have to make decisions on where it is, who it might involve, what has happened and what might happen next. Era Location Characters Plot Suspense/tension

This unit encourages the students to explore different characters, situation, locations and how characters react with each other. Inspired by ‘The Breakfast Club’ , narrative and dialogue can be created when characters are thrown together as strangers. How they react, interact and speak to one another. Preconceived ideas, and qualities they can pretend to have to people who don’t know them. Hot seating Thought tracking Role play Characterisation Back story Journey of a character

Based on the well loved book by Roald Dahl, this scheme of work uses the play text adapted by David Wood. Several lessons will introduce the students to the characters, plot and use of song. Characterisation Use of voice Use of physical skills Interpretation of song Creating a sequel

This unit uses a shoebox filled with various items as a stimulus for devising a group piece. The students will look at the contents of the box and establish connections and create plot, characters and location. The scheme of work suggests objects to place in the box. One box can be used for a whole class or a variety of boxes can be created so each group has their own.

This scheme of work will introduce your students to the basic principles of using masks in theatre. The unit uses Trestle masks but can be adapted to suit. The range of warm-ups and ten tasks incorporates the key features and terms of using masks including clocking, centres of weight, facing front and passing focus. These explorations lead up to creating a masked group piece. Would also be a useful introduction to lead into Commedia D’ell Arte. Characterisation Body language Gesture Speed Weight Timing Stance

This scheme uses urban legends as a starting point for devising. It includes several lesson exploring the key features of urban legends in a powerpoint. Several urban legends are included and a sheet of key features for students to check they are including the right things. Style/form Characterisation Narration Role play Music Sound effects