Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read, engage with, analyse and act from play scripts for the first time. They learn about the conventions of scripts, directors and actors' roles within a cast and how to improvise at the end of the unit. Pupils also build their performance and oracy skills.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to read and respond to a play script based on 'Charlotte's Web' and perform it in front of an audience.

Key Notes

• A play is a written text that is acted out by actors in a live performance.
• Actors, directors and a stage crew work together to prepare and rehearse a play ready for performance.
• Play script conventions help the actors and the director bring the dialogue and action to life.
• Performance techniques that help actors connect with the audience can be learnt, practised and developed.

Vocabulary To Learn

• play: a written text intended to be performed in front of an audience that is divided into scenes of dialogue and action
• play script conventions: rules that are followed by playwrights to write play scripts that are clear and easy to follow
• performance techniques: the ways an actor uses their body, voice and facial expressions to bring a character to life in a play

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Pupils may think that they are either 'good' or 'bad' at acting.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Improvising Study Guide
• Reading and performing a script based on 'The Iron Man' Study Guide
• Reading and performing a script based on 'The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark' Study Guide