B. D'Amato Murry Bergtraum HS

Objectives: Students will be able to-

• understand how dramatic techniques can effectively enhance the meaning of the drama.
• analyze the play is comically ironic
• explain how a great society may have made serious mistakes and how it can learn from its own mistakes
• understand how a historical drama does not have to be truthful to history itself
• understand the effects of a social drama
• understand and discuss the importance for dramatic conventions (eg. light, dark, movement, pause, sound, silence)
• analyze how dramatic forms and techniques (eg. mime, movement, costume, make-up, props, set-design) are essential to helping express ideas and feelings on stage

Aim:

1. What is the playwright's purpose of writing this play?
2. How does the playwright use dramatic techniques to reveal the ironic nature of A Free Man of Color?
3. What is the one thing you have learned from the play A Free Man of Color? What dramatic technique(s) help you understand it?
4. How is the play ironic?
5. What human emotions were explored in this play?

Do Now: In your notebook, jot down one thing( character, scene, event, idea or speech) from the play that stands out for you for any reason. Describe it and explain why & how it stands out for you. Read out loud in a circle the one thing you jotted down. No explanation.

Acquisition:

1. What is a historical drama? Social drama?
2. What social and historical aspects have you noticed in the play?
3. What are some of the dramatic conventions? (eg. light, dark, movement, pause, sound, silence); Why can they help explore or convey meaning?
4. How do dramatic forms and techniques (eg. mime, movement, costume, make-up, props, set-design) help express ideas and feelings? Give an example.

Meaning Making-

Share in your small group how dramatic techniques are used in the play to help the audience understand the meaning.

• Describe the dramaticd techniques used.
• What do you think is the meaning?
• How was it effectively or ineffectively delivered?
• What could it be done to improve the performance?

Transfer (Exit Slip)- If you were the director or the playwright( pick a role), what would you do to improve the play or performance?

Homework: Write an analytical essay in which you discuss how dramatic techniques help you understand the meaning ( whatever it may be) of the play.