The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter Lesson Plan

Debating The Politics of Performance

Kind of Activity:

Group Discussion

Objective:

Students will be able to form a reasoned opinion about the ethics of casting a hearing actor in the role of John Singer

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.B; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4

Structure:

To prepare for this lesson, have students read the 2009 article "Hearing Man in Deaf Role Stirs Protests in New York" by Patrick Healy in the New York Times Theater section. Assign as homework the night before, or allow time in class for students to read the article. The article reports the reaction of Deaf actors to the casting of a hearing actor in...