Historical Figures Come To Life allows students to research a selected historical figure, write a monologue in first person, design a costume, develop voice and movement tools of the actor, and then perform the monologue in-character. Also, in addition to developing drama integrated strategies that can be replicated in other classrooms or subjects, the teacher is a full participant as a writer and performer, sharing a monologue as a model for students in both the art form and the risk-taking it requires.

Historical Figures serves 1st – 8th grades with 10 sessions co-taught by an Alliance Theatre Institute teaching artist and the classroom teacher. Three planning sessions allow the teacher and teaching artist to collaborate, devise, and refine the lesson and unit plans, learning extensions, and assessments.