Unit
3 - Character
Module
2: The Written Word
Lesson
3 - Developing the Monologue
Introduction:
The purpose of this lesson to create a writing process that
is intertwined with an acting process, giving the students the
opportunity to explore a variety of styles.
| Note:
You must be aware that the monologue you write will be the
basis for your performance piece. You will want to consider
the material and character created carefully - as you'll
be performing this piece for an audience. |
Activities:
Activity
1 - Writing and Revising:
Steps
for Writing and Revising:
1. Gather your ideas (previous lesson).
2. Write, write, write.
3. Try a clustering or webbing exercise to discover the core
idea in the monologue and to brainstorm ideas connected to
the core.
4. Create an outline of the monologue - focus in on specific
details, images, feelings. Get rid of unnecessary information.
5. Be
open to change, surprise yourself.
6. Think about the opening - don't use gimmicks, but pull
in your audience. The opening does not always mean starting
at the beginning of the story.
|
|
Try
Out the Work:
How does it sound out loud? Does it make you laugh? Or
cry?
Do you want to add any other form - dance, music, art,
poetry, lighting, slide, video?
Be open to potential. Experiment.
|
Documentation:
Try to document the progress of the process. Keep copies of
the drafts (and date them), and if possible, video tape improvised
drafts of the monologue. Or use a tape recorder to document
the monologue. In watching the work, you can determine elements
to keep and those to revise.
Activity
2 - "Who Wrote This?" Exercise:
Take a break from the work, then come back to it and try to
look at it with objective eyes. Pretend you are seeing it for
the first time and you don't know who wrote the piece. As you
read it (or watch the video tape or listen to the audio tape)
write down points for clarification or notes about things you
like.
Questions
to ask yourself:
-
does
it engage you and keep you interested?
-
do
you believe the character?
-
do
you care about the character?
-
is
there too much narrative or exposition? (show don't tell)
-
is
it clear?
-
how
do you feel?
| It
is very easy to become sensitive about your own writing
and performance. As you work on this project, try to be
as open to new ideas as you can. Don't take criticism personally
- it's the opportunity to try something new. |
Evaluation:
Self-evaluation
of the monologue is used in Activity 2. Final evaluation of your
work by the teacher will occur when your perform it.
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