Week 6
Songs & Stage Directions
Today’s goal
Learn stage directions, practice our songs and begin blocking.
1Introduction/ Team BuilderTheater Shipwreck
Theater Shipwreck: This game will teach basic theatrical concepts and directions while still being active and fun. The director will call out different commands like "stage right," "stage left," "moat," and then we will add fun commands like "musical," "shakespeare," and "stage fight." Whoever is last getting to the location has to stay locked on the stage as a piece of scenery (frozen).
- Goal
- To establish expected and unexpected behaviors for the class, to encourage pragmatic skills, and to begin peer interaction
- Skills
- Initiating conversations, conflict resolution, personal space/boundaries
- Materials
- White Board, Marker
2Warm UpsBody, Face & Voice
Body: Stretch up to the ceiling like a cat, unscrew the lightbulb/pet the dog, marionette, crayons. Voice: Face massage, big face, little face, a thousand funny faces, Addams Family, lip trills, vocal waterfall, tongue twisters
- Goal
- To ready the body and voice for the following exercises
- Skills
- Body language, facial expressions, tone of voice
- Materials
- None
3Improvisation GameBuckingham Palace Guards
Buckingham Palace Guards: We are going to pretend to be Buckingham Palace Guards. Stand in a straight line with your arms by your sides. Make sure your posture is straight and your shoulders are back. Now, we are going to add another character: The Annoying American Tourist. Pick a volunteer. This person will try to make the very stern and serious guards smile or laugh by using silly dancing, noises, body language or jokes. The guards can blink and breathe but make sure they stay completely still and stare straight ahead. The tourist can use any tactic to break the guards’ concentration but they must stay at least one foot away from the guards at all times—no touching. The guards win the game if they stay completely still without laughing, smiling or moving. The tourist wins if they are able to get all of the guards “out” by making them move. Set a strict time limit.
- Goal
- To practice excellent posture in the context of a character and encourage spontaneity, creativity and interactive play
- Skills
- Body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, theory of mind, being flexible
- Materials
- None
4ProjectSongs & Blocking
Finish reading, sing through songs, start blocking
- Goal
- To encourage quick reaction time, listening to verbal and non verbal cues, and using the body in a safe way.
- Skills
- Peer interaction, problem solving, body language, tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions
- Materials
- Scripts
5Relax/Goodbyes!Cool Down
Teachers lead a cool-down involving breathing exercises and calming movements
- Goal
- To introduce healthy coping tools which will enable the students to calmly transition in the car and at home
- Skills
- Coping Skills
- Materials
- None
Weekly wrap-up
Check back after rehearsal for highlights and reminders.