Unit
One - Introduction to Drama
Module 2: Actor's Tools
Lesson 4- Movement
Introduction:
Movement is one of the key methods of communication on the
stage. Actors use movement to reveal their characters, establish
relationships, objectives and conflict, and to create visual beautiful
theatre. Movement creates drama and excitement on the stage.
Activities:
Start
by viewing video on stretching
and doing the activities.
Activity
1 - Posture:
Actor's must be aware of their natural body posture
and be able to change it at will.
|
| You
should find a partner and designate yourselves A and B. You
stand facing each other. A imitates B's natural
stance as completely as possible. As B tries to align himself
or herself to match the correct posture demonstrated in the
photograph on the right, A continues imitating, so that B
has a "mirror". When B's posture is correct, A and
B switch jobs and repeat the process. (3 minutes) |
Posture
is overly
erect - bluff
|
Posture
is too slumped - caved
|
Activity
2 - Mirroring
You should stand and sit opposite a partner, and designate
yourselves A and B. A leads a series of arm movements, which
B mimics as if he or she is a mirror. When the movements flow
naturally in a dance-like pattern, A and B should switch who
is leading the movement. As you progress, you can choose no
leader and just allow impulse to dominate. (1o minutes) |
Stretching
Out
The athletic
stretches should be used as a warm up for all physical drama.
They prevent some strain injuries and make the body a more malleable
tool. Any stretches may be chosen provided that the following
conditions are met:
|
•
stretches are suited to the fitness level of the students
• all major groups of muscles are worked
• stretches are held for at least the count of 20
|
Yoga
Yoga stretches and breathing are ideally suited to physical warm-up
for drama. Yoga uses a variety of poses in conjunction with breath
pattern to lengthen body movement and create warm, flexible muscle
groups.
Go
to the links page of this
site for links to yoga and stretching sites
Introductory
Movement
Activity
3 - Leading off
All of us
naturally have a section or part of our bodies that moves first
or leads our movement. We must determine where we lead from and
change this as it is appropriate to the character. As a group,
start moving around the room. You must determine how you are leading.
Partners who observe each other may be used. As you keeps moving,
individuals shout out ways to lead and the group tries the walk
using the lead suggested. For example, you might shout knees,
and everyone might wind up walking like the scarecrow in "Wizard
of Oz". Continue this exercise until most options for leading
have been tried. (5 minutes)
Activity
4 - Breaking down a movement
There
are seven basic principles of stage movement:
1. Movement
must have a reason.
2. Movement should be simplified to its most basic elements.
3. Movement must be consistent with a character's age and
body type.
4. Movement should be heightened or bigger than life.
5. Movement must be visible to the audience ("open"
to the audience)
6. Movement should reveal character traits or beliefs including
status and relationship.
7. Movement must create pleasing stage pictures. |
You
should choose a simple movement such as sitting down, crossing
the stage or opening a door. Group yourself with one or two other
actors who are not doing the same movement, and create a scene.
No conversation may be used, and each actor must satisfy all seven
principles of movement. The groups should rehearse and analyze
each others movement for about 10 minutes. The scenes are then
presented to the class and discussed.
Activity 5 - Warm-up Assignment:
Using the internet, conduct a search for elements of a good physical
warm-up.
Include
the following items:
• stretching for face
• stretching for arms and legs
• stretching for back and neck
• energizing activities
• exercises to develop correct posture and/or center the
actor
Create
a written version of the warm-up using some form of word processing
software such as Word. Cut and paste in warm-up material that
you find, including photos, and list each web site under the material
that you find. The warm-up should take 10-15 minutes when completed
by an actor. Finished versions should be printed and saved by
the student, then e-mailed to the teacher for evaluation. (1-2
hours)
Evaluation:
Teachers observe most of the movement exercises and formally evaluate
the warm-up document based on variety, requirements, layout, mechanics,
and length.
Next
Lesson / Previous
Lesson
