Cover lesson · Drama · Year 7 · Beginner
LNF: Numeracy → Learning about geometry helps us understand shape, space and position, and learning about measurement helps us quantify in the real world → Angle · DCF: Data and computational thinking → Problem-solving and modelling
Name: Class: Date:
What this practises: numeracy and geometric modelling in Drama. Pupils read a stage lighting rig plan for an invented Year 7 play at Theatr y Bryn, classify acute, right, obtuse and reflex angles, calculate missing beam angles using angles on a straight line (180°) and around a point (360°), check whether a spotlight hits the stage trapdoor at the required 45° angle, and work out the props budget from a £75.00 grant with a 10% school discount.
Board: open the supply teacher presentation Working Out Stage Lighting Angles and Props Budget for a Play for slides, timers and script.
Print: this worksheet, one per pupil, and the stimulus sheet Theatr y Bryn: stage lighting rig plan and props price list, one between two. Calculators are helpful but optional. No computers are needed.
Run: 5 min settling starter · 5 min brief and key words · 10 min Step 1, classify 6 angles · 10 min Step 2, calculate missing angles a, b, c, d · 12 min Steps 3 and 4, trapdoor spotlight check and props budget · 5 min partner check · 3 min plenary review. Total 50 minutes.
Collect: this worksheet at the end of the lesson.
Quick checks: Step 1: 1 (55°) Acute; 2 (135°) Obtuse; 3 (90°) Right angle; 4 (240°) Reflex; 5 (28°) Acute; 6 (195°) Reflex. Step 2: a = 65°, b = 48°, c = 70°, d = 130°. Step 3: top interior angle = 180° − 128° = 52°; floor angle = 180° − (90° + 52°) = 38° (not 45°; tilt must change by 7° so the exterior bar angle is 135°). Step 4: line totals £26.00, £9.00, £14.00, £9.00, £12.00; subtotal £70.00; 10% discount £7.00; final cost £63.00; money left from £75.00 = £12.00 (enough for the £11.00 spyglass with £1.00 to spare).
Behind every play is a technical stage manager who uses geometry to aim spotlights accurately and percentages to keep props within budget. Today you will check the lighting rig and props budget for the Year 7 adventure play Smugglers of Porth Ddu at Theatr y Bryn.
Key words:
90°; right is exactly 90°; obtuse is between 90° and 180°; reflex is between 180° and 360°.180°): angles sitting along a straight lighting bar always add up to 180°.360°): angles all the way around a central swivel clamp always add up to 360°.Look at Part A of the stimulus sheet. Write the angle size, classify it as acute, right, obtuse or reflex, and explain how you know.
| Lantern or rig part | Angle | Classification | Reason (how you know) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fresnel floodlight beam spread | 55° |
Acute | Less than 90° (between 0° and 90°). |
| 2. Safety barn-door flap wide open | 135° |
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| 3. Vertical downlighter bracket | 90° |
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| 4. Moving-head lantern pan sweep | 240° |
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| 5. Narrow profile spotlight cone | 28° |
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| 6. Power cable safety loop turn | 195° |
Use Part B of the stimulus sheet. Show your full calculation for each missing angle.
| Rig junction | Rule to use (180° or 360°) | Your working (addition and subtraction) | Missing angle (°) |
|---|---|---|---|
Junction 1: Angle a (with 65° and 50°) |
Straight line (180°) |
65° + 50° = 115°; 180° − 115° = 65° | 65° |
Junction 2: Angle b (with 90° and 42°) |
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Swivel Clamp 1: Angle c (with 110°, 95°, 85°) |
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Swivel Clamp 2: Angle d (with 140° and 90°) |
Read Part C on the stimulus sheet. Work through the 3 steps below to check Spotlight L4:
(a) Top interior angle of the triangle: Straight bar is 180° and outer angle is 128° → 180° − 128° = ______°
(b) Angle where the beam hits the trapdoor floor: Triangle angles add up to 180° and the tower wall is 90° → 180° − (90° + ______°) = ______°
(c) Technician’s adjustment: Does the beam hit at 45°? ______ By how many degrees must you adjust the lantern, and what should the outer bar angle be instead of 128°? ____________________________
Use Part D of the stimulus sheet. Complete the cost table, apply the 10% school discount, and check whether the club can afford the optional spyglass (£11.00).
| Prop item | Quantity | Unit price | Line total (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery brass storm lantern | 4 | £6.50 | |
| Coiled hemp mooring rope (5 m) | 2 | £4.50 | |
| Painted wooden tavern sign (The Anchor) | 1 | £14.00 | |
| Prop wooden tankard | 3 | £3.00 | |
| Printed canvas treasure sack | 1 | £12.00 | |
| Subtotal before discount | |||
| 10% school discount (Subtotal ÷ 10) | |||
| Final total to pay (Subtotal − 10% discount) | |||
| Grant remaining from £75.00 (£75.00 − Final total) | |||
Can the production also afford the extra £11.00 spyglass, and how much money will be left if they buy it?
a, b, c and d showing full working.180° straight-line rule and the 360° point rule.180°) to check and correct a 45° spotlight beam.360°) around the drama studio ceiling ring. What is the angle between each lantern? What if they hang 8 lanterns evenly?