TEACHERS NOTES
This unit is suitable for Key Stage 4 pupils studying BTEC Performing Arts or GCSE Drama
Performing Arts :
This unit answers all the Grading Grid requirements used in the unit on Devising Plays (C10)
GCSE Drama :
This unit of work is designed for the pupils Devised Performances (DR1) . The theme can be adjusted accordingly.
Contents:
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A Power Point presentation that forms a guide to the lessons and that concur with the pupil handbook.

Pupil Handbook

Teachers’ notes – Unit Work plan per lesson/activity
UNIT PLAN : DEVISING PLAYS (PERFORMING ARTS)
STIMULUS : THEME ‘LOVE AND HATE’
TEXT : Composing a short play from the
stimulus ‘Love and Hate’.
DURATION : Half a term (around 20 lessons)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
 To create a piece of theatre (script,
characters, staging) using the dramatic
techniques you have learned in the
previous units.
 To develop ideas and suggestions for
your play whilst working effectively in
partnership.
 To creative experimentation by means
of different techniques and forms,
choosing the most suitable style for
your performance.
 To developing your characters by
using one’s imagination and artistic
decisions.
 To perform your play in front of an
audience and conveying its message in
an effective manner.
 To evaluate the play’s effectiveness,
denoting future targets.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
An opportunity to display all that has been
learned from studying previous units (techniques,
structure, characterisation, staging) and also
allowing an opportunity to experiment and
further develop through performance work.
Developing creative and research skills,
performing and evaluating the pupils.
DRAMA SKILLS
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Creating and collaborating.
Experimenting with theatrical techniques.
Designing and developing your own work
by means of correct decision making.
Refine and polish your own work and the
work of others regularly.
Development of performing skills (voice,
movement, focus and characterisation)
Organising rehearsal schedules and
performances
SKILLS FRAMEWORK
Asking questions
Decision making
Problem solving
Co-operating and
Experimenting
Choosing
Prioritising
Self Confidence
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (OVERLEAF)
DIFFERENTIATING
Naturally during every lesson.
 Creating mixed ability groups to work
together
 Intelligence and task conclusions.
 Help and suggestions from your
teacher.
RESOURCES
PowerPoint presentation of ‘Love and Hate’
Devising handbook : ‘Love and Hate’
Empty space, requisite props and set.
ASSESSING
We will assess all 6 points in the Grading Grid
Unit C10: Devised Plays (Performing Arts) and
will award pass, merit and distinction grades
to each pupil.
Communicating
GROUP DISCUSSION
What is Love and Hate?
Descriptions that illustrate Love
and Hate (Stimulus PowerPoint
Presentation)
Group work: Think of other
phrases we use to show Love
and Hate.
ANALYSING PICTURES
Look at the pictures and discuss
what kind of love and hate is
visible.
Homework
1) Create a Collage which
indicates what Love
and Hate mean to you.
Present the collage at
the next lesson.
Task : Create a spider chart.
Review the pictures.
Task : Describe the pictures
using adjectives.
2) Present a song that
illustrates Love and
Hate in the next lesson.
Pupils to present a collage and
their choice of music to
accompany it, explaining the
reasons behind their choice.
Groups to listen to excerpts of
each track of music and analyse
the song lyrics. What does it
say about Love and Hate?
TECHNEG BYRFYFYR
Gwaith Grwp: Dewis 1 llun
FREEZE FRAME
Group : Choose a snapshot that
TECHNEG TRACIO’R MEDDWL
interests you, then discuss :
Grwp i berfformio eto,
who are they? What is the
cynulleidfa i glapio mewn
nature of their relationship?
Homework: Investigate what
costumes would be suitable
for your character bearing in
mind the period that your
play is set. .
Designing your costume
DEVELOPING CHARACTERS
AND EDITING THE SCRIPT
Techniques the pupils/group
will need
- Empty Body
- The Hot Seat Exercise
- Line of Fate
- Path of conscience
- Monologues
STAGING
- Character Profile
- “The Magic If?”
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Set and staging resources?
Which type of stage to use?
DESIGN
Decide on the most
appropriate stage and set for
your production. Build an
economical stage within the
space.
TEACHING
EXPERIENCE
Creating and
Developing
SCRIPTING AND IMPROVISING
1) Divide the play into units.
2) Divide the units into 3
climaxes. Create a Freeze
Frame of the high points.
3) Bring the photographs to life
by improvised
work/ mind
BLOCKING
tracking.
Scene by scene, block the
4) Create
a script
of the scene.
characters’
onstage
positions, taking note of
their movement and voice –
write these in your script to
remind you.
REHEARSE AND DEVELOP
THE CHARACTERS’ SCRIPT
AND MOVEMENTS.
GROUP DISCUSSION
Complete the leaflet on
“Gathering Ideas” while
discussing; Possible Plot – choose
one photograph. Discuss the
characters, the high points and
the purpose of the play.
LIGHTING AND SOUND
PLANNING THE PLOT OF YOUR
PLAY
Decide what lighting and sound
are required and form an
effective design.
IMPROVISATION
Bring the Freeze Frame to life
in the form of improvised work,
bearing in mind the previous
discussion and the song lyrics.
INCLUDE MIND TRACKING
In the improvisation in order to
think about every character’s
situation.
SELF EVALUATION
Groups viewing each other’s
performances and sharing their
opinions regarding the
successes of the final
performance and possible
improvements.
TEACHING
EXPERIENCE
DRESS – RUN
Staging and
Performing their plays in full
dress, with lighting and sound.
Performance
EVALUATION
THE PERFORMANCE
Homework
Viewing their performances,
then submitting a written
report discussing and
underlining the successes of
the performance and offering
improvements.
Performing their play in front
of an audience.
Devise a programme for the
Performance.
Pictures and descriptions of the
play and its characters.
Recording their performances
on a video camera.