Sample Curriculum 

Theatre 1–4 Year-Long Curriculum

 

THEATRE I: Foundations of Theatre

 

Theme: Exploration of acting, ensemble work, and basic theatre literacy

 

Weeks 1–2: Introduction to Theatre & Ensemble Building

    •    Standards: T1.1, T1.5, T1.14

    •    Focus: Class rules, trust, collaboration, theatre etiquette

    •    Assessment: Ensemble contract & journal reflection (formative)

 

Weeks 3–5: Voice & Movement

    •    Standards: T1.2, T1.4

    •    Focus: Articulation, projection, posture, movement warmups

    •    Assessment: Voice & movement performance rubric (summative)

 

Weeks 6–8: Improvisation

    •    Standards: T1.3, T1.5

    •    Focus: Spontaneity, character choices, team building

    •    Assessment: Group improv scene (summative)

 

Weeks 9–12: Intro to Acting & Scene Work

    •    Standards: T1.4, T1.6

    •    Focus: Objectives, tactics, beats, character development

    •    Assessment: Scripted scene performance & character analysis

 

Weeks 13–15: Theatre History Overview

    •    Standards: T1.10, T1.12

    •    Focus: Ancient Greek theatre, Shakespeare, 20th century

    •    Assessment: Theatre history timeline project

 

Weeks 16–18: Pantomime & Nonverbal Storytelling

    •    Standards: T1.4, T1.7

    •    Focus: Physical storytelling, expression, mime

    •    Assessment: Group pantomime performance

 

Weeks 19–22: Monologue Performance

    •    Standards: T1.6, T1.7

    •    Focus: Character work, emotional beats, blocking

    •    Assessment: Memorized monologue with reflection

 

Weeks 23–26: Technical Theatre Introduction

    •    Standards: T1.11, T1.15

    •    Focus: Basic design areas—set, costumes, lighting, sound

    •    Assessment: Design a concept for a scene (group project)

 

Weeks 27–30: Playwriting & Original Scenes

    •    Standards: T1.8, T1.9

    •    Focus: Dialogue, character conflict, structure

    •    Assessment: Write and perform original 2-person scenes

 

Weeks 31–36: Final Performance & Portfolio

    •    Standards: T1.13, T1.14

    •    Focus: Rehearsal process, critique, ensemble reflection

    •    Assessment: Final group performance & theatre journal portfolio

 

⸻

 

THEATRE II: Expanding the Actor’s Toolkit

 

Theme: Deeper character exploration, dramatic structure, and critical response

 

Weeks 1–3: Ensemble Dynamics & Advanced Improv

    •    Standards: T2.1, T2.5

    •    Assessment: Advanced improv games & journal reflections

 

Weeks 4–6: Voice and Dialects

    •    Standards: T2.2

    •    Assessment: Dialect monologue or podcast project

 

Weeks 7–10: Movement and Stage Combat

    •    Standards: T2.3, T2.4

    •    Assessment: Safe choreographed fight scene or dance

 

Weeks 11–13: Acting Styles Across Eras

    •    Standards: T2.6, T2.10

    •    Assessment: Scene performances from different periods

 

Weeks 14–16: Playwriting and Dramaturgy

    •    Standards: T2.8, T2.12

    •    Assessment: Group scene & dramaturgical presentation

 

Weeks 17–20: Theatre Genres & Styles

    •    Standards: T2.7, T2.9

    •    Assessment: Style-based group performances

 

Weeks 21–25: Shakespeare and Classical Text

    •    Standards: T2.6, T2.10

    •    Assessment: Duet scene with scansion & paraphrasing

 

Weeks 26–30: Directing Fundamentals

    •    Standards: T2.11, T2.13

    •    Assessment: Directed scene with peer actors & blocking notes

 

Weeks 31–36: One-Act Showcase

    •    Standards: T2.13, T2.14

    •    Assessment: Group one-act performance and peer critique

 

⸻

 

THEATRE III: Ensemble Leadership and Artistic Voice

 

Theme: Advanced performance, directing, and theatre critique

 

Weeks 1–3: Audition Techniques

    •    Standards: T3.1, T3.3

    •    Assessment: Resume, headshot, mock audition

 

Weeks 4–7: Method Acting & Character Study

    •    Standards: T3.2, T3.4

    •    Assessment: Solo character monologue from full-length script

 

Weeks 8–11: Devised Theatre & Social Issues

    •    Standards: T3.5, T3.8

    •    Assessment: Ensemble-created piece around a social theme

 

Weeks 12–15: Advanced Directing

    •    Standards: T3.9

    •    Assessment: Direct a scene with prompt book and actor coaching

 

Weeks 16–20: Theatrical Design Collaboration

    •    Standards: T3.10

    •    Assessment: Collaborate with tech class on design project

 

Weeks 21–25: Theatre Criticism & Analysis

    •    Standards: T3.11

    •    Assessment: Written critique of a live or filmed production

 

Weeks 26–30: Theatre Leadership & Mentoring

    •    Standards: T3.12

    •    Assessment: Lead a workshop for Theatre I or II students

 

Weeks 31–36: Capstone Performance

    •    Standards: T3.13, T3.14

    •    Assessment: Final group production (directed, acted, and designed by students)

 

⸻

 

THEATRE IV: Artistic Mastery & Portfolio Development

 

Theme: Capstone-level artistry, independent direction, and career readiness

 

Weeks 1–4: College and Career Prep

    •    Standards: T4.1, T4.2

    •    Assessment: Digital/print portfolio, mock audition, resume

 

Weeks 5–8: The Actor as Creator

    •    Standards: T4.3

    •    Assessment: Solo show or original performance project

 

Weeks 9–12: Leadership in the Theatre Arts

    •    Standards: T4.4, T4.6

    •    Assessment: Organize a class-led workshop or masterclass

 

Weeks 13–18: Original Directing Project

    •    Standards: T4.5

    •    Assessment: Direct and produce a 10-minute play

 

Weeks 19–24: Theatre Management & Publicity

    •    Standards: T4.7

    •    Assessment: Plan marketing for spring show (poster, program, social media)

 

Weeks 25–30: Community or Children’s Theatre Project

    •    Standards: T4.8, T4.9

    •    Assessment: Perform or teach theatre in an outreach setting

 

Weeks 31–36: Senior Showcase

    •    Standards: T4.10

    •    Assessment: Cumulative performance with full production team leadership