Objective: Students will learn about the importance of theatre during the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on African American culture.

Materials needed: - Handouts with information about the Harlem Renaissance and its significance in African American history - Copies of plays or excerpts from plays written during the Harlem Renaissance - Paper and pencils for students to take notes

Activity: 1. Begin the lesson by providing students with background information about the Harlem Renaissance, emphasizing the cultural and artistic achievements of African Americans during this time period. 2. Discuss the role of theatre in the Harlem Renaissance, highlighting the ways in which African American playwrights and actors used the stage to address social and political issues facing their community. 3. Divide students into small groups and assign each group a play or excerpt from a play written during the Harlem Renaissance. Have students read the play and discuss its themes, characters, and message. 4. After reading and discussing the play, have each group present a short skit or scene from the play to the rest of the class. Encourage students to incorporate elements of the play’s style and themes into their performance. 5. After all groups have presented, facilitate a class discussion about the importance of theatre during the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on African American culture. Encourage students to reflect on how the themes and messages of the plays they read are still relevant today. 6. Conclude the lesson by having students write a reflection on what they learned about theatre during the Harlem Renaissance and how it has influenced their understanding of African American history and culture.

Extension activity: - Have students research and write a short essay about a specific playwright or actor from the Harlem Renaissance and their contributions to African American theatre. - Organize a field trip to see a local production of a play written by an African American playwright, or watch a filmed version of a play from the Harlem Renaissance in class. Discuss how the themes and messages of the play relate to the time period in which it was written.