Stage It Book Table of Contents

Stage It: Making Shakespeare Come Alive in Schools and its accompanying support material (such as the four plays) is a resource for teachers with little to no experience in drama and a strong interest in engaging students ages 9-12½ in a forty-minute Shakespeare production (or less depending on how much material you want to do). Homeschoolers, parents, English language learner instructors, college professors of pre-service classroom teachers, and others interested in group activities for students at this age might also benefit from Stage It.

1. Introduction

A practical overview of the book’s purpose, audience, and how to use it.

2. Why Acting & Why These Plays

Explains the developmental importance of acting for ages 9–12½ and why selected Shakespeare plays engage this age group.

3. Shakespeare Basics

Myths about Shakespeare are debunked and key ideas about his language, theater context, and performance are explained in digestible terms.

4. Scope & Sequence

Outlines the recommended progression for teaching acting and staging a play, whether you do all five acts or just one.

5. Acting Lesson Plans

Step-by-step guidance on key acting skills with field-tested lesson plans tied to classroom practice.

6. The Rehearsal Process

Detailed but practical rehearsal steps, including casting, blocking, and preparation.

7. The Culminating Performance

How to plan and execute a school performance with minimal props — focused on student learning and engagement.

8. Inquiry & Reflection

Strategies for deepening student understanding through questions, reflection, and assessment.

9. Instructor & Student Resources

Guides and materials for staging abridged, field-tested adaptations of Hamlet, Henry V, Julius Caesar, and Othello with cast lists, scripts, and glossaries. Scripts are Shakespeare’s text but edited for this age group.

10. Glossary

Vocabulary and Shakespeare definitions, word usages, and pronunciations from each of Staging Hamlet, Staging Henry V, Staging Julius Caesar, and Staging Othello are included.