LESSON PLAN IN CREATIVE WRITING 12

Staging Modalities and Envisioning the Script

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Identify the classifications of stage and define staging;
2. share their viewpoints about the importance in stage modalities; and
3. construct and conceptualize their own ideal form of stage.

II. SUBJECT MATTER

Topic: Staging Modalities and Envisioning the Script
Material:
 Ppt
 Module
 Laptop

III. PRELIMINARIES
 Prayer
 Greetings
 Check
 Recap
 Previous
 Motivation
“2 pics 1 word”
Analyze the given word and picture clue and identify the drama-related word
being shown. There will be given 10 seconds to answer in every item.
1. Costumes
2. Blocking
3. Backdrop
4. Stage
5. Lighting

IV. LESSON PROPER

A. ACTIVITY
Conceptualize Me!
The students will be divided into 4 groups. Each group is tasked to list down an
ideal stage for them in a theatre. Each component should be filled. This activity will
only be given 5 minutes to answer. After the time limit, the group should choose a
representative to present and explain their output.
B. ANALYSIS
1. Why do you think stage in drama is important?
2. What are the factors you considered in developing your ideal stage/s?
3. Why do you think it is important to select the right stage?
4. What do you think is our lesson for today?

C. ABSTRACTION

Staging Modalities and Envisioning the Script

According to Longley (2019), drama is the interpretation of events, both

fictional and nonfictional, in a form of performance using prose or poetry dialogues.
This portrayal may be performed in stage, radio or in film. Tracing its history, it
originated in England and is performed to audience in a platform referred to as
“stage”. Today, the changing styles of drama from its onset in history is also
reflected in the changing stage types that requires different modes of acting.

What is Staging?
Staging is the position of the acting area in relation to the audience. The
Acting Area is the available space occupied by the set and used by the actors
when acting.

Areas of the Stage

The stage where the actors perform the drama in front of an audience is divided
into the following areas as described by Theatre Solutions, Inc (2017):

Upstage. It is the area that is considered the furthest from the audience. The
upstage is divided into upstage right (USR), upstage center (USC), and upstage
left (USL).

Acting Area/Center Stage (CS). This is the location where the actors are
expected to perform and where much of the set is placed.

Downstage. It is the area that is considered the closest to the audience. The
downstage is divided into downstage right (DSR), downstage center (DSC), and
downstage left (DSL).

Cross Over. This area is utilized by the performers as they travel from the left side
to the right side, the stage hands and the technicians which is purposely
concealed from the audiences’ sight.

Stage Right (SR) and Stage Left (SL). This is the area to the left and right of the
performers (audience’s right and left respectively) where it may be utilized as the
performers’ acting area if the need arises. It also has off right and off left which
may serve as points for the entrance and exit of the performers when they need to.
Both the off right and off left are hidden from the audience.

Major Types of Stage

1. Proscenium Stage
The audience sits on one side only and they face one side of the stage directly,
and normally sits at a lower height. However, in some proscenium stage, the stage
is raised above the audience or they are in raked (this means that the farther the
seat is, the higher it becomes. The use of proscenium stage is common in many
high school stage or theaters where the actors perform in front of the audience.
The left and the right wing of the stage are reserved for the scenes or acts.

2. Thrust Stage
The thrust stage is the oldest known fixed type of staging in the world, and it is
thousands of years old. This type situates the audience in three sides of the stage
(front, left and right wings). Hence, it gives a closer and all around view of the
action.

3. Traverse Stage
In the traverse stage, the audience sits on two sides and this is good for creating
an intimate atmosphere. This type of stage is considered unique since it is similar
to fashion shows where the audience face each other and in between them is the
stage. This gives the performers no space for the wings and limit the size of their
props because of the size of the area for performance. Thus, the set must work on
all angles of the stage and require the set changes to be done in front of the
audience.

4. Round/In-the-Round Stage
A stage that is positioned at the center of the audience (audience is situated
around the whole stage). This creates intimate atmosphere and good for drama. In
this case, the audience may feel that they are part of the action and there is a
natural performance. It has almost similar, but enhanced features of the thrust
stage. Because of its position, it opens to several entrance and exits for the actors
and actresses and the audience can see the act in many angles. With this, the set
designs must be intricate and must make use of the available spaces.
 D. APPLICATION
Task 1: Guess What? Students will guess the name of the prominent stages the
teacher will be showing in front of the class.

-Mall of Asia Arena- -Smart Araneta Coliseum-

-Sydney Opera House- -Gladiator Arena, Rome-yup

Task 2: Picture Me Out

Group work: Each group will be assigned to present in front of the class a type of
stage. The leader of each group will explain their output in front of the class.
Group 1: Traverse Stage
Group 2: In-the-round Stage
Group 3: Proscenium Stage

IV. EVALUATION
Let Us Try!
This is a test on different types of stage, staging modalities and the steps in writing
a script. Write the letter of the correct answer in a separate notebook.
I. Directions: Encircle the letter of your answer.
1. The following are areas of stage, EXCEPT ________.
a. Set Stage c. Center Stage
b. Upper Stage d. Off Right
2. It refers to the type of stage where the audience sits at both right and left
part of the stage similar to fashion shows.
a. Round c. Thrust Stage
b. Proscenium d. Traverse
3. What is the “conversation between actors on stage” called?
a. Dialogue c. Dialect
b. Stage d. Language
 4. In creating a play and in writing the script, the writer must be able to apply
the following, EXCEPT______.
a. Finding and developing your lead character
b. Creating an interesting plot of the story
c. Survey clothing designed for the characters
d. Knowing the audience of the play
5. This refers to the stage which is positioned at the center of the audience.
a. Round c. Thrust Stage
b. Proscenium d. Traverse

II. Directions. Write T if the statement is true, and write F if it is false.

_______1. Each time a character exchanges word determines their identity as the
protagonist and antagonist of the story.
_______2. In finding and developing the characters in a one-act play, it should be
limited to not more than 6-8 people.
_______3. Flexibility is an important factor in any play because it might share set
with others.
_______4. In writing a play, the playwright must focus on developing the story
regardless of the stage layout because it will be a different task.
_______5. An eye-catching but not distracting backdrop can work better than lots
of props on the stage.

V. ASSIGNMENT
Directions: In a 1/2 crosswise of paper, write a reflection on what you have learned
from the topic discussed and the importance of stage in drama performance.

Prepared by: