Students investigate the 2008 presidential election as a pivotal American political moment and transform their research into an original play for a public audience. Through analyzing dramatic texts and productions, studying the issues and voices of 2008, and working with a local playwright and youth voting organization, they learn how playwrights shape character, conflict, structure, and perspective to interpret history. The work builds toward a staged reading in the Kennedy Auditorium with a talkback, where students present their ideas clearly, respond to audience questions, and connect the election to larger themes in American democracy. Along the way, they use discussion, critique, revision, and a midway progress presentation to strengthen both the script and their collaborative decision-making.

Students will investigate the 2008 presidential election by framing research questions, evaluating sources, and synthesizing evidence about major issues, campaign strategies, and public voices to shape scenes for a historically grounded script. They will analyze how playwrights and producers develop character, structure, setting, and interpretation by studying a Shakespeare play, an American drama, and a live performance, then apply those choices in their own writing and staged reading. Students will collaborate in discussion, critique, and revision with peers, a local playwright, and a youth voting organization to refine character proposals, scene drafts, and performance choices for a specific public audience. They will present a polished staged reading and talkback that clearly communicates a perspective on why the 2008 election matters in the larger story of American democracy.

Students will create an inquiry portfolio with research notes, annotated sources on the 2008 election and its issues, discussion trackers, and analysis of how plays and productions shape audience interpretation. Along the way, they will produce character and scene proposals, scene drafts, revision notes from peer, teacher, playwright, and youth voting organization feedback, and a midway progress presentation. They will also develop rehearsal scripts and staged-reading materials shaped for a specific audience and venue. The culminating product is an original ensemble-written play about the 2008 presidential election, performed as a public staged reading in the Kennedy Auditorium followed by a talkback Q&A.

Begin with a field trip or virtual viewing of a live play, asking students to track how staging, dialogue, and audience response shape meaning. The next class, introduce the project through a “2008 election newsroom” experience using short clips of speeches, debate moments, campaign ads, and headlines, then have students discuss which moments feel most dramatic and why. Invite the local playwright and a representative from the youth voting organization to join the debrief and pose the essential questions, framing the work ahead as both a theatre piece and a public conversation. Close the launch with students generating initial inquiry questions about the election, its issues, and what makes a political moment worth putting on stage.

Host a public staged reading in the Kennedy Auditorium for families, peers, staff, and community guests, followed by a student-led talkback Q&A about the 2008 election, the choices made in writing and staging, and the connections to American democracy today. Invite the local playwright and youth voting organization to serve as featured respondents, offering brief feedback and helping students discuss audience impact, civic issues, and representation. Create a simple lobby display with character boards, scene drafts, revision notes, and research highlights so audiences can see the inquiry, critique, and revision process behind the final performance. If possible, record the reading and share it with the school community or local partners as a digital extension of the live exhibition.