This lesson is about exploring the creative spirit and requires you to examine your beliefs about art. Allow the exercise to flow according to your interest. If your attention is pulled in one direction, then move in that manner. Above all, it should stimulate, challenge and invigorate thinking about the “true nature of art” and ultimately about yourself as artist.

• I really like these things about myself ....
• I wish I could change .....
• I am most worried about .....
• I am most excited about ....
• I am most creative when ...
• I feel most vulnerable when ....
• I feel strong when .....
• People in this world need to remember .....

Play interesting music - try to find pieces you have not heard previously (instrumental is recommended). Make the room comfortable and set out a variety of art materials and various sizes of paper. Do not talk during the exercise. Play the music, focus on the moment, and doodle. Do not try to make it look like anything in particular, do not plan the drawing, do not analyze it - just “do it”. Pay attention to the sounds, how it makes you feel, does it suggest certain lines or textures?

Share the personal survey and the doodle with one another as a basis for discussion. There needs to be a high level trust among the group in order to share your answers. There is no need to comment on each other's answers, just listen. The person speaking may allow questions to be asked if they choose. The exercise should help build a stronger group dynamic.

D. Explore through Improv:

1. Start a scene from a suggestion from the group (or use the personal survey as a starting point for ideas) - at any time, anybody may call FREEZE and go in and change it subtlely by adding in a new dimension, or by changing the objective.

2. Group Improv: start a scene and add in characters until everybody is in the scene - at any point call out FREEZE and ask one to do an internal monologue.

3. In partners discuss a scene with lots of conflict, where might it be set? Try the scene and at any point the audience can call FREEZE and make a suggestion for change, then let it continue.

4. Start the scene with a phone, call someone and they then call the next person, and on down the line until the first person is called in the end to bring it full circle.

E. Writing:

An excellent book is Writing down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg, for creative writing memory exercises. Use descriptions, settings, dreams as a starting point. Use journals to track ideas and concepts connected to discussions or other stimuli.

F. Make a Mask:

Use papier mache to create a character larger than life. Or, explore some other new or recycled material in a new way. The point is to make something - a visual manifestation of an idea.

G. Create a Soundscape:

Use instruments or found objects to create a "soundtrack" for a concept. It does not need to be specifically musical , but rather, it may simply explore sound. What happens when you layer sounds? Can you use sound in such a way as it is not easily recognizable? How can voice be used to create effects?

H. Choreography:

Movement is a form of communication. The body can be used to express delicate nuances of emotion as well as powerful statements of belief. Choreograph movement to express an idea or to illustrate a point.