Suggest to students that they take notes as they read. Introduce, or review, a specific aspect of the craft of acting with students by opening this Web site. Discuss plays or musicals that students have enjoyed, as well as those they didn't think were good. Encourage students to analyze why the production was, or wasn't, successful. Begin by having the class create lists of good and bad elements of plays.
Students can compare and contrast specific aspects of their impressions of the productions.
Suggest that students also consider the roles the director and producer played in creating the productions they saw. Point out that each audience member's opinion of a production is entirely subjective. Stress that even a great production may be lost on someone who's sleepy, just ate a spicy dinner, or doesn't like the set or costumes. Point out that even a great production and great actors can't save a badly written play. Have students summarize and create a general class list of what makes a good production.