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Vocabulary lesson plan & materials

Theatre

B2–C1 · Theatre vocabulary, reading, speaking and writing through scripts, rehearsal, performance and critical discussion.

TheatreVocabularyReadingSpeakingWritingPrintable
Teacher note: The source mentions listening and different levels of grammar materials, but it does not include a separate listening activity or grammar section. No missing material has been invented. The core readings are mainly B2; the later discussion and essay prompts extend towards C1.
Vocabulary

Active Vocabulary

Act
Scene
Playwright
Script
Dialogue
Monologue
Character
Protagonist
Antagonist
Ensemble
Casting
Rehearsal
Stage
Set design
Costume
Props
Lighting
Sound effects
Blocking
Improvisation
Text 1

Theatre

Text 1

Theatre

B2

Theatre is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It involves the performance of a play or a drama in front of an audience. A play usually consists of several acts, each with multiple scenes. The person who writes the play is called a playwright, and they create the script which contains all the dialogue and monologues for the characters.

Speaking of characters, there are usually several in a play, including the protagonist and antagonist. The protagonist is the main character, while the antagonist is their opposing force. They interact through dialogue, which is the spoken words between the characters.

Before the play is performed, there are several things that need to happen. First, the casting process takes place, where actors are chosen for each role. Then comes the rehearsal period, where the actors practice their lines and blocking, which is the movement on stage.

Another important aspect of theatre is the set design, costume, and props. These elements help to create the world of the play and bring it to life. Lighting and sound effects also play a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of the play.

Finally, there's improvisation, which is when actors make up lines or actions on the spot. This can add an element of surprise and excitement to the performance.

Overall, theatre is a collaborative effort that involves the ensemble of actors, directors, designers, and technicians. It's a beautiful art form that allows us to explore different worlds and perspectives through the characters and stories presented on stage.

Task 1

Fill in the blanks with the words from the original text.

Word bank: ensemble, script, lighting, practice, rehearsal, technicians, scenes, lines, playwright, antagonist (2), aspect, spot, performance (2), audience, acts, monologues, interact, improvisation, actors, protagonist, stage, characters, art (2), set design, collaborative, play (2), perspectives, casting, element

Theatre is a form of _____(1) that has been around for centuries. It involves the _____(2) of a play or a drama in front of an _____(3). A _____(4) usually consists of several _____(5), each with multiple _____(6). The person who writes the play is called a _____(7), and they create the _____(8) which contains all the dialogue and _____(9) for the characters.

Speaking of _____(10), there are usually several in a _____(11), including the protagonist and _____(12). The _____(13) is the main character, while the _____(14) is their opposing force. They _____(15) through dialogue, which is the spoken words between the characters.

Before the play is performed, there are several things that need to happen. First, the _____(16) process takes place, where _____(17) are chosen for each role. Then comes the _____(18) period, where the actors _____(19) their _____(20) and blocking, which is the movement on stage.

Another important _____(21) of theatre is the _____(22), costume, and props. These elements help to create the world of the play and bring it to life. _____(23) and sound effects also play a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of the play.

Finally, there's _____(24), which is when actors make up lines or actions on the _____(25). This can add an _____(26) of surprise and excitement to the _____(27).

Overall, theatre is a _____(28) effort that involves the _____(29) of actors, directors, designers, and _____(30). It's a beautiful _____(31) form that allows us to explore different worlds and _____(32) through the characters and stories presented on _____(33).

Task 2

Choose the correct answer.

1
What is theatre?
aA type of music performance.
bA form of art that involves the performance of a play or drama in front of an audience.
cA type of dance performance.
dA type of painting.
2
Who writes the play?
aThe director.
bThe actor.
cThe playwright.
dThe producer.
3
What is a protagonist?
aThe main character.
bThe supporting character.
cThe character who opposes the main character.
dThe character who has no role in the play.
4
What is dialogue?
aThe movement on stage.
bThe rehearsal period.
cThe casting process.
dThe spoken words between the characters.
5
What is blocking?
aThe spoken words between the characters.
bThe movement on stage.
cThe rehearsal period.
dThe casting process.
6
What are set design, costume, and props?
aElements that are not important in theatre.
bElements that are only important in musicals.
cElements that help to create the world of the play.
dElements that are only important in dramas.
7
What is improvisation?
aWhen actors make up lines or actions on the spot.
bWhen actors follow the script exactly.
cWhen actors don't show up for rehearsals.
dWhen actors forget their lines during the performance.
8
What is the collaborative effort involved in theatre?
aOnly actors and directors.
bEnsemble of actors, directors, designers, and technicians.
cOnly actors and designers.
dOnly actors and technicians.
9
What is the purpose of lighting and sound effects in theatre?
aTo distract the audience.
bTo make the play longer.
cTo make the play shorter.
dTo set the mood and atmosphere of the play.
10
What is the beauty of theatre?
aIt is a boring art form.
bIt only involves one person.
cIt allows us to explore different worlds and perspectives through the characters and stories presented on stage.
dIt is not important in society.

Task 3

Answer the questions.

1
What is theatre and how long has it been around?
2
Who writes the script for a play, and what does it contain?
3
How many acts are usually in a play, and what are scenes?
4
Who are the protagonist and antagonist in a play, and how do they interact?
5
What happens during the casting process before a play is performed?
6
What is rehearsal period, and why is it important?
7
What are set design, costume, and props, and how do they contribute to the world of the play?
8
Why are lighting and sound effects important in theatre?
9
What is improvisation, and how can it add excitement to a performance?
10
What is the collaborative effort involved in theatre, and why is it important?
Text 2

Jenny Loves Theatre

Text 2

Jenny Loves Theatre

B2

Jenny had always been fascinated by the theatre. She loved watching plays, but she also wanted to be part of the creative process. So, when she saw an ad for auditions at a local theatre, she knew she had to give it a shot.

She arrived at the theatre early in the morning and waited nervously with the other actors. They were all flipping through their scripts, trying to memorize their lines. Jenny was excited to see that the playwright of the play was actually there too. He was sitting in the corner, observing the casting process and making notes.

When it was her turn, Jenny walked onto the stage and introduced herself. The director gave her a script and asked her to read a monologue. Jenny took a deep breath and began to act out the scene. She was surprised at how natural it felt to be on stage, even though it was her first time.

After the audition, the director told Jenny that she had been cast as the protagonist in the play. She was overjoyed! The rehearsals began the next day, and Jenny quickly got to work. She spent hours studying her lines and practicing her blocking with the other actors. The set design was incredible, and the costumes and props were perfect for the time period of the play.

As they rehearsed, Jenny realized that the antagonist of the play was played by someone she knew from high school. They had never gotten along back then, and things were still tense between them now. But, they both knew that they had to put their differences aside for the sake of the play.

The night of the opening finally arrived. Jenny was nervous, but she knew that she had prepared well. As the lights came up on the stage, Jenny felt a rush of adrenaline. She delivered her lines flawlessly, and the audience was completely engrossed in the story. The ensemble cast worked together perfectly, and the sound effects and lighting added to the drama of the play.

At the end of the performance, the audience gave a standing ovation. Jenny was thrilled with how well it had gone. She realized that all the hard work, casting, rehearsals, set design, costume, props, lighting, and sound effects had paid off. She knew that she would never forget this experience and looked forward to future opportunities in the theatre.

Task 1

Fill in the blanks with the words from the original text.

Word bank: auditions, protagonist, script, scripts, monologue, flawlessly, props, scene, rehearsed, performance, audition, ensemble, blocking, playwright, antagonist, stage (3), engrossed, memorize, act, rehearsals, creative, ovation, lighting (2), casting, actors, set design, cast, play

Jenny had always been fascinated by the theatre. She loved watching plays, but she also wanted to be part of the _____(1) process. So, when she saw an ad for _____(2) at a local theatre, she knew she had to give it a shot.

She arrived at the theatre early in the morning and waited nervously with the other _____(3). They were all flipping through their _____(4), trying to _____(5) their lines. Jenny was excited to see that the _____(6) of the play was actually there too. He was sitting in the corner, observing the _____(7) process and making notes.

When it was her turn, Jenny walked onto the _____(8) and introduced herself. The director gave her a _____(9) and asked her to read a _____(10). Jenny took a deep breath and began to _____(11) out the _____(12). She was surprised at how natural it felt to be on _____(13), even though it was her first time.

After the _____(14), the director told Jenny that she had been _____(15) as the _____(16) in the play. She was overjoyed! The _____(17) began the next day, and Jenny quickly got to work. She spent hours studying her lines and practicing her _____(18) with the other actors. The _____(19) was incredible, and the costumes and _____(20) were perfect for the time period of the play.

As they _____(21), Jenny realized that the _____(22) of the play was played by someone she knew from high school. They had never gotten along back then, and things were still tense between them now. But, they both knew that they had to put their differences aside for the sake of the _____(23).

The night of the opening finally arrived. Jenny was nervous, but she knew that she had prepared well. As the lights came up on the _____(24), Jenny felt a rush of adrenaline. She delivered her lines _____(25), and the audience was completely _____(26) in the story. The _____(27) cast worked together perfectly, and the sound effects and _____(28) added to the drama of the play.

At the end of the _____(29), the audience gave a standing _____(30). Jenny was thrilled with how well it had gone. She realized that all the hard work, casting, rehearsals, set design, costume, props, _____(31), and sound effects had paid off. She knew that she would never forget this experience and looked forward to future opportunities in the theatre.

Task 2

Choose the correct answer.

1
What was Jenny's fascination?
aMusic
bTheatre
cSports
dPainting
2
What did Jenny do when she saw an ad for auditions at a local theatre?
aShe ignored it
bShe applied for it
cShe shared it with her friends
dShe criticized it
3
Who was present during the casting process?
aThe director
bThe playwright
cThe producer
dThe stage manager
4
What did the director ask Jenny to do during the audition?
aSing a song
bRead a monologue
cDance
dTell a joke
5
Who was cast as the protagonist in the play?
aJenny
bThe director
cThe playwright
dThe antagonist
6
What did Jenny do after she was cast in the play?
aShe quit
bShe started rehearsing
cShe went on vacation
dShe forgot about it
7
Who played the antagonist in the play?
aSomeone Jenny knew from high school
bA famous actor
cThe director
dThe playwright
8
How did Jenny feel during the opening night?
aNervous
bConfident
cBored
dAngry
9
What did the audience do at the end of the performance?
aThey left quietly
bThey booed
cThey gave a standing ovation
dThey fell asleep
10
What did Jenny realize after the performance?
aThat she hated theatre
bThat she had wasted her time
cThat all the hard work had paid off
dThat she would never do it again

Task 3

Answer the questions.

1
What was Jenny's passion?
2
How did she find out about the auditions?
3
Who else was present at the audition besides the director and actors?
4
What was Jenny asked to do during her audition?
5
How did Jenny feel when she was on stage for the first time?
6
What role was Jenny cast in after her audition?
7
What were rehearsals like for Jenny?
8
Who played the antagonist in the play, and what was their relationship with Jenny?
9
How did the audience react to the performance of the play?
10
What did Jenny learn from this experience?
Text 3

Getting Ready for the Performance

Sophie
Hi, Tom! How are the rehearsals going?
Tom
Hey, Sophie. They're going great so far. We just wrapped up Act 1 yesterday.
Sophie
That's exciting. Which scene are you in again?
Tom
Scene 3, actually. It's a monologue by the protagonist that I'm really looking forward to performing.
Sophie
Nice. Who's the playwright, again?
Tom
It's written by John Patrick Shanley. Have you heard of him?
Sophie
Yes, he's a pretty well-known writer in the theatre world. What do you think of the script so far?
Tom
I love it. The dialogue is very natural and the characters feel real and complex. My character is an antagonist, but even he has his moments of vulnerability and sympathy.
Sophie
That sounds interesting. How's the rest of the ensemble doing? Is everyone fitting in well?
Tom
Yeah, we have a really talented group of actors. There are some tough casting choices, but everyone brings something unique to the table. And the set design, costumes, props - all of it looks amazing.
Sophie
That's great to hear. When's your next rehearsal?
Tom
It's tomorrow evening, actually. We'll be working on blocking for Act 2 and also doing some improvisation exercises to get more comfortable with our characters.
Sophie
Sounds like a lot of work but also fun. Good luck!
Tom
Thanks, Sophie!

Task 1

Choose the correct answer.

1
Who is Sophie talking to in the beginning of the conversation?
aJohn Patrick Shanley
bTom
cThe protagonist
dAn antagonist
2
What did Tom and his ensemble finish yesterday?
aAct 1
bAct 2
cScene 3
dImprovisation exercises
3
Which scene is Tom in?
aScene 1
bScene 2
cScene 3
dScene 4
4
What is Tom's role in the play?
aProtagonist
bAntagonist
cPlaywright
dSet designer
5
Who wrote the play that Tom is rehearsing for?
aSophie
bJohn Patrick Shanley
cTom
dThe ensemble
6
How does Tom feel about the script?
aHe hates it
bHe loves it
cHe's indifferent to it
dHe hasn't read it yet
7
What does Sophie think of the playwright?
aShe's never heard of him
bShe thinks he's overrated
cShe thinks he's well-known
dShe thinks he's a terrible writer
8
What does Tom say about the characters in the play?
aThey are all one-dimensional
bThey are all unlikable
cThey are all complex
dThey are all boring
9
What will Tom and his ensemble be doing at their next rehearsal?
aWorking on blocking for Act 1
bMemorizing lines for Scene 3
cWorking on blocking for Act 2 and doing some improvisation exercises
dRewriting the script
10
How does Sophie feel about Tom's upcoming rehearsal?
aShe thinks it sounds boring
bShe thinks it sounds like a lot of work but also fun
cShe thinks it sounds easy
dShe doesn't have an opinion
Text 4

Four Opinions

John

"I really love going to the theatre! Last year, I went to see a production of Hamlet and I was blown away by the acting. It was so powerful and moving. I think everyone should experience live theatre at least once in their life."

Maria

"I'm not really a fan of the theatre, to be honest. I find it boring and slow-moving. I'd much rather go to a movie or watch something on Netflix from the comfort of my own home."

David

"I have mixed feelings about the theatre. On the one hand, I appreciate the artistry of it all, but on the other hand, it can be expensive and there are often long lines for tickets. I can't decide if it's worth it or not."

Samantha

"The theatre is everything to me! It's where I feel most alive and at peace. I can't even begin to describe how much it means to me. When I was a child, my grandmother took me to see The Lion King and it changed my life. Since then, I've been hooked.

Facts

Theatre Facts

1
The earliest recorded theatrical performance dates back to ancient Greece in the 5th century BC.
2
Shakespeare's plays are still performed all over the world centuries after his death.
3
The Globe Theatre in London, where Shakespeare's plays were performed, was destroyed by fire in 1613 during a production of "Henry VIII."
4
The Phantom of the Opera remains the longest-running show in Broadway history. Its Broadway production opened in 1988 and closed on April 16, 2023, after 35 years.
5
The Tony Awards, given for excellence in theatre, have been presented annually since 1947.
6
The Moulin Rouge in Paris was originally a venue for operettas before it became famous for its cabaret shows.
7
The West End theatre district in London contains more than 40 theatres.
8
In Japan, there is a traditional form of theatre called Kabuki, which includes elaborate costumes and makeup.
9
Broadway shows typically start at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. during the week, with matinees on Wednesdays and weekends.
10
Actors in Shakespeare's time were all male - even the female roles were played by men.
Speaking

Discussion Questions

1
What is your favorite play?
2
Have you ever acted in a theatre production before?
3
Who is your favorite playwright?
4
Can you explain the difference between a scene and an act?
5
Do you prefer monologues or dialogues in plays?
6
Who is your favorite character from any play?
7
What makes a good protagonist?
8
What is the role of an antagonist in a play?
9
How important is ensemble work in theatre productions?
10
Have you ever been to a casting call for a play?
Creative Writing

Writing Topics

Personal essay topics

1
Write a short email to your friend inviting them to come and watch your school play. Tell them about the performance, the characters, and the aspects you like the most. Use at least 5 target vocabulary words in your email.
2
Imagine you are a theater critic writing a review of a play you watched recently. Write a short article describing the acts and scenes, the set design, lighting, and the actors' performances. Use at least 8 target vocabulary words in your article.
3
You are a drama teacher who is organizing a rehearsal for your students. Write a brief note to your students asking them to come to the rehearsal and reminding them of the importance of practicing their monologues and interacting with the other actors. Use at least 4 target vocabulary words in your note.
4
My first time at the theatre and how I felt.
5
The best play or musical I have ever seen and why I loved it.
6
My favourite character from a play or musical and why I like them.
7
How theatre helps me express myself.
8
A funny moment that happened to me while watching a play or musical.
Target Vocabulary: performance, audience, acts, scenes, playwright, script, monologues, characters, antagonist, protagonist, interact, actors, rehearsal, aspect, set design, lighting, improvisation, element, perspectives, stage

General essay topics

1
Watching plays or musicals is better than watching movies. What do you think?
2
Theatre is an important part of our culture. Do you agree?
3
Some people believe that theatre is boring. Do you agree or disagree?
4
Theatre can teach us important lessons about life. Do you agree?
5
Live performances in theatre are more exciting than recorded performances. What do you think?
6
Some people argue that theatre is becoming less relevant in today's society. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
7
Theatre has been criticized for being too expensive and inaccessible to certain groups of people. Is this a positive or negative development?
8
In recent years, there has been a push for more diversity and representation in theatre. To what extent has this been successful?
9
Some people believe that theatre should only be used for entertainment purposes, while others argue that it should also serve as a platform for social and political commentary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
10
Theatre can be a powerful tool for education and social change. To what extent do you think theatre can influence society?

Theatre · B2–C1 · AllEnglishStudy