Introducing the Ghost of St. Philomena’s Free Lesson Plans 👻

We’re thrilled to unveil our newest free lesson plans, created to pair with Matthew Vajtay’s haunting and heartfelt play, The Ghost of St. Philomena’s. If you’re a teacher, drama coach, or student director looking for a show that balances grief, humor, and teenage courage—with just the right touch of the supernatural—this guide is your must-have sidekick.

Set in the halls of a Catholic school still echoing with old secrets and unsaid goodbyes, The Ghost of St. Philomena’s is a moving and funny ensemble piece about growing up, letting go, and speaking the unspeakable. With complex emotional arcs, rich character dynamics, and a ghost who’s more than just a scare, it’s a standout choice for high school performers.

Click the button above to download the free lesson plans!

What’s Inside the Classroom Companion?

This robust and flexible resource includes everything you need to help students connect with the play’s big questions—and each other. Highlights include:

🕯️ Pre-Reading Prompts: Spark discussion around memory, grief, faith, and the labels we carry in school.

🪞 Character Exploration: Dive deep into the hearts of the living (and the dead). Activities focus on vulnerability, group dynamics, and unspoken emotion.

📚 Historical and Cultural Context: Learn about the role of saints, school ghost stories, and the rituals that shape adolescence.

🎭 Performance-Based Projects: From hallway ghost sightings to “office confessionals,” students will bring the emotional and symbolic world of the play to life.

🎨 Creative Assessments: Visual collages, monologue writing, and museum-style artifact displays give students multiple ways to express their interpretations.

Why Use a Classroom Companion?

Because no one walks these hallways alone.

A Classroom Companion transforms a play from a script into a shared experience. It gives students the tools to think critically, feel deeply, and perform with purpose. Whether your class is unpacking complex emotions or staging a ghostly final scene, this guide is here to support you every step of the way.

Bring The Ghost of St. Philomena’s into the Light

Whether you’re building a fall mainstage or leading a classroom read-through, this play opens the door to empathy, expression, and ensemble storytelling. Add the Ghost of St. Philomena’s Classroom Companion to your teaching toolkit and help your students discover what it means to speak for the silenced—and be heard in return.