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Devising a Scene

Seventh-grade actors learn to devise — to create an original scene as a group, from a first idea to a rehearsed piece. The key is finding a clear conflict and trying ideas on their feet. They order the process, then devise a short scene.

Grade 7Devising a Scene50 minutes1 class periodArtistic ProcessExplicit teaching4 StandardsNCAS
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Devise an original scene.
  • ✓Find a clear conflict.
  • ✓Improvise then script.
  • ✓Rehearse & refine.
Essential Question

How does a group create an original scene from scratch?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Put in Order · Interactive

Order the Devising Steps

Project this and have students put the scene-devising steps in order.

🎭 Put the devising steps in orderTry it
Tap the first step to devise a scene!
The Lesson · Explicit teaching

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Warm-Up — From Nothing

5 min

How would your group make a scene with no script at all?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pose the challenge.
  • Share ideas.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Explore — Devising

12 min

Students explore.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Order the Devising Steps.
  • Order the steps.
  • Note conflict comes early.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Order.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Rehearse — Devise It

16 min

Students rehearse.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Brainstorm a situation.
  • Pick the conflict.
  • Improvise the scene.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Brainstorm.
  • Pick.
  • Improvise.
4

Perform — Perform

12 min

Students perform.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Perform your devised scene.
  • Make the conflict clear.
  • Give it a strong ending.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Perform.
  • Clarify.
  • End.
5

Reflect — Reflect

5 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What do you do first?
  • Why is conflict key?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the National Core Arts Standards (Theatre).

NCAS
TH:Cr1.1.7

Imagine and devise original ideas for theatre.

NCAS
TH:Cr2.1.7

Collaborate to develop a scene.

NCAS
TH:Cr3.1.7

Refine the devised work through rehearsal.

NCAS
TH:Pr6.1.7

Present an ensemble-created scene.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Step cards with icons.
  • Frame: "first we brainstorm, then ___."
  • Devise in a small group.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Use 3 core steps.
  • Give a starting situation.
  • Support improvising.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add a plot twist.
  • Devise with a theme.
  • Script it fully.
Materials

What to gather

  • 🎭Space to improvise
  • 💡Idea prompts
  • 💻Order the Devising Steps
  • ✏️Scripting paper
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

devisecreate an original sceneconflictthe problem that drives a sceneimprovisemake it up in the momentscriptwrite down the linesrefineimprove through rehearsalensemblethe group creating togetherscenea unit of a playobjectivewhat a character wants
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is the first step in devising?
Brainstorm ideas with your group.
QUESTION 2
Why choose a clear conflict?
Conflict gives the scene energy and direction.
QUESTION 3
What does devise mean?
To create an original scene from scratch.

Reflect: devising a scene.

Have students devise and perform a short original scene. A printable prompt sheet is in the Arts library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Devising a SceneFlip
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Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Devising a SceneQuiz
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Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Devising a ScenePrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: conflict, devise, ensemble, improvise, objective, refine, scene, script
  1. the group creating together
  2. a unit of a play
  3. create an original scene
  4. the problem that drives a scene
  5. make it up in the moment
  6. what a character wants
  7. improve through rehearsal
  8. write down the lines

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is the first step in devising?
  2. Why choose a clear conflict?
  3. What does devise mean?
Answer key — Part A: 1) ensemble · 2) scene · 3) devise · 4) conflict · 5) improvise · 6) objective · 7) refine · 8) script
Part B: 1) Brainstorm ideas with your group. 2) Conflict gives the scene energy and direction. 3) To create an original scene from scratch.