School of Theatre > For educators > In your classroom > Playwriting

Playwriting

Bring your curriculum to life! In Playwriting students create short texts inspired by a particular classroom topic or theme, such as ancient civilizations or contemporary literature, as identified by the classroom teacher. Through individual writing and interactive theatre exercises, students will explore main events, given circumstances, over-arching themes, character development, obstacles and motivations as they work towards developing a basic script. Berkeley Rep Teaching Artists will modify curriculum based on students’ grade, level of experience and teacher feedback. Playwriting is offered as a one-, three- or 10-hour workshop.

program benefits

  • Introduces and develops theatrical skills and knowledge.
  • Students apply what they learn in theatre across subject areas to make further innovative decisions with their creativity.
  • Students work collaboratively with partners and groups towards a common goal, using problem-solving and conflict resolution when necessary.
  • By exploring characters and situations through dramatic writing, students develop an increased understanding of others’ points of view, as well as the form and structure of theatrical texts.
  • Provides an avenue for creative expression and increased self-confidence, particularly in public speaking.
  • Exposes students to multiple modalities of learning and expression.
  • Offers flexibility of curriculum for students in all degrees of learning, ELL, students from different cultural backgrounds and students with learning and physical disabilities.

To bring a Playwriting workshop into your classroom, please complete the registration form. We will contact you to confirm your scheduling once we have received all necessary registration information.

workshop dates

September 2012–May 2013

workshop length

One-, three- or 10-hour sessions

maximum class size

30 students / 1 teaching artist

grade level

Grades 6–12

workshop costs

  • First one-hour—FREE * (one hour per public school)
  • Additional one-hour workshop—$75/hour
    ($60/hour educator discount **)
  • Three-hour session—$60/hour
    ($55/hour educator discount **)
  • 10-hour session—$55/hour
  • Title I discount—$55/hour
  • Non-public schools—$75/hour

* Limited to one free teaching hour per public school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Based on availability of Berkeley Rep School of Theatre staff. Limited to 30 students per classroom. Must sign and agree to Berkeley Rep School of Theatre booking agreement.

** Must be paid by personal check or credit card for use in educator’s own classroom.

*** Due to high fuel costs, schools located over 50 miles away from Berkeley Repertory Theatre may be charged an additional transportation fee.

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new concepts and vocabulary introduced

  • Adaptation
  • Aesthetic
  • Aside
  • Character
  • Character profile
  • Dialogue
  • Diction
  • Emotion
  • Expression
  • Objective
  • Relationship
  • Setting the scene
  • Stage direction
  • Statues
  • Tableau
  • Tactic

content integration

All of the subjects below are integrated into the Playwriting curriculum. Depending on grade level and number of bookings, some subjects may be explored further than others.

all standards covered

English Language Arts: Literary Response and Analysis: 3.3, 3.4; Writing Applications: 2.0; Listening and Speaking: 1.6, 2.1
Physical Education: 1.4, 1.5, 5.3, 5.4
Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.2, 5.2
Grade level 6–8 VAPA Standards: Grade 6: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3; Grade 7: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3; Grade 8: 1.1, 1.2
Grade level 9–12 VAPA Standards: Proficient: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2; Advanced: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.2

key standards

English Language Arts

  • Analyze characterization as delineated through a character’s thoughts, words, speech patterns and actions.
  • Identify dramatic elements within a script.
  • Use speaking techniques, including voice modulation, inflection, tempo, enunciation and eye contact.

Physical Education

  • Demonstrate body management and locomotor skills.
  • Evaluate the effect of expressing encouragement to others while participating in a group physical activity.

Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre

  • Artistic Perception
    • Identify a character’s objectives and motivations to explain that character’s behavior.
  • Creative Expression
    • Use effective vocal and facial expression, gesture and timing to create character.
    • Create characters, environments and actions that exhibit tension and suspense.
    • Make acting choices, using script analysis, character research, reflection and revision to create characters from classical, contemporary, realistic and nonrealistic dramatic texts.
  • Aesthetic Valuing
    • Report on how a specific actor used drama to convey meaning in his or her performances.
  • Connections, Relationships, Applications
    • Demonstrate projection, vocal variety, diction, gesture and confidence in an oral presentation.

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Questions?

Call 510 647–2972, or email outreach@berkeleyrep.org.

 

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major sponsors

Chase

Target

The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation / The Mosse Foundation for Education and the Arts / The Woodlawn Foundation