aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Drama
What age group	Year or Grade 11
What topic	Theatre practitoners
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Lesson Introduction for Year 11 Drama: Theatre Practitioners

Lesson Overview

Welcome to our exciting lesson on Theatre Practitioners! Today, we will explore influential figures in the world of theatre who have shaped the way we think about performance, direction, and staging. By dissecting their methodologies and philosophies, you will gain insight into how these practitioners can inform your own work as budding actors and directors.

Creative Introduction: "Theatre Practitioner Speed Dating"

Objectives:

• To familiarise students with key theatre practitioners and their concepts.
• To encourage collaboration and discussion among students.
• To stimulate curiosity about different theatrical approaches.

Materials Needed:

• Cards with practitioner names and a brief description of their contributions (e.g., Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Grotowski, etc.).
• A timer.
• Open space for movement.

Activity Steps:

1. Setup: Arrange the classroom in two circles, one inside and one outside, so that students can face each other in pairs. Each student will represent a different theatre practitioner.

2. Pair Up: Distribute the cards randomly to each student. These cards will describe key elements of the practitioner's philosophy or style. For instance, a card for Bertolt Brecht might read, “Alienation Effect: Engage the audience to think critically rather than emotionally.”

3. Speed Dating Format: Explain the rules of the activity. Each pair will have 2 minutes to discuss the key ideas of their respective practitioners. Then, the outer circle will rotate to the next person, and the process will repeat.

4. Share & Reflect: After several rotations, bring the class back together and ask students to share interesting facts or concepts they learned during the activity. This might lead to dynamic discussions about how these practitioners have influenced modern theatre and performance styles.

5. Tease the Lesson: Conclude the introduction by revealing that throughout today’s lesson, you will delve deeper into the specific practices of these theatre practitioners, examining scenes that embody their methodologies.

Conclusion

This "Theatre Practitioner Speed Dating" activity not only warms up the class but also sets an energetic and collaborative tone for the lesson ahead. By engaging with each other and forming connections to the key concepts, students will leave the introduction excited and eager to learn more about the rich tapestry of theatre practice.