This Lesson Plan uses the 1993 translation by Ralph Manheim and John Willett, rather than the more popular translation by Marc Blitzstein.
Every classroom is different, but the sheer creepiness and weirdness of The Threepenny Opera, plus the unusual elements in the unit of music and translation, might appeal to students. It is important to teach the concept of Brecht's Alienation Effect alongside the play itself, and to engage in ongoing discussion about it, particularly when the play talks about disturbing subjects like murder and rape in an offhand manner that has the potential to upset students. These lessons and activities provide many different approaches to the text; select those...
