Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138 www.theatrefolk.com

Emergency Lesson Plans for Theatre Teachers
Copyright © 2012 Lindsay Price & Theatrefolk
CAUTION: This book is fully protected under the copyright laws of Canada and all other countries of the
Universal Copyright Convention.
No part of this book covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means
- graphic, electronic or mechanical - without the prior written permission of the author.
Published by:
Theatrefolk
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0
Canada
Tel 1-866-245-9138
Fax 1-877-245-9138 e-mail: tfolk@theatrefolk.com website: www.theatrefolk.com
Photocopying / Multiple Copies
The one owner of this book may copy the Lesson
Plans for his or her class for educational purposes.
All other forms of duplication and/or distribution are prohibited.

for theatre teachers
What is a Playwright? ............................................................5
Match the Quotes ...................................................................7
Letters .....................................................................................11
Finish the Thought ...............................................................13
Fictional Prompts .................................................................15
Character Collage .................................................................17
Blocking .................................................................................19
Create a Playbill ....................................................................23
Elements of Greek Tragedy .................................................25
Playwriting Exercise: Define the Conflict .........................29
Types of Stages ......................................................................31
The Globe Theatre.................................................................35
Parts of the Stage ..................................................................39
Flats ........................................................................................43
Stanislavsky ...........................................................................47
Reader’s Theatre: Edgar Allen Poe’s
...................53
Create Your Own Superhero ...............................................57
Commedia dell’arte ..............................................................59
Compare and Contrast ........................................................65
Sample from Scene Spurs ....................................................69

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Lesson Overview
Learn about the different types of theatrical stages.
Objectives
To create awareness of the different types of theatrical stages.
To reinforce this knowledge through a practical exercise.
Instructions
» Read the Types of Stages Handout.
» Review the Types of Theatre questions.
» Answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper.
» Review the Invent Your Own Theatre.
» Using the box provided, create your own theatre space.
» On the separate piece of paper, answer the questions regarding your theatre space.
» Write your name at the top of each sheet.
» Hand in your work at the end of class.
Materials Needed
» Types of Stages Handout.
» Pen.
» Paper.
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138 www.theatrefolk.com

Types of Stages
Stage
Stage
Audience
Proscenium : The audience directly faces the playing area.
Audience Audience
Stage
Audience Audience
Arena/Stadium : The playing area is in the center of a large open space which usually seats thousands of people.
Audience
Stage
Audience Audience
Theatre in the round : The playing area is surrounded by audience seating on all sides.
Audience
Traverse : The elongated playing area is surrounded by audience seating on two sides.
Stage
Audience Audience
Thrust : The playing area protrudes out into the house with the audience seating on more than one side.
32
Black Box : Usually a large room with black walls and a flat black floor. The stage and the audience can go wherever you like!
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138 www.theatrefolk.com

33
Types of Stages Response Sheet Name:_________________________________
Use the back if necessary.
Questions
Consider the six main types of theatres described on the previous sheet. Answer the following for each type of theatre:
•  List three advantages to this setup.
•  List three disadvantages to this setup.
•  Can you name a play that would be well-suited for this setup? (If you can’t think of a specific play, describe a type or style of play that would be well-suited to this setup.) Why would this play/type of play work well with this setup?
Invent Your Own Type of Theatre
Imagine that you have a large black box theatre that you can configure however you like. Use it to invent a whole new layout. Clearly show the space allotted for the stage and audience.
•  What is your theatre type called?
•  Answer the questions above for your theatre type.
Theatrefolk
Original Playscripts
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach, ON, L0S 1B0, Canada
1-866-245-9138 www.theatrefolk.com