Unit
Three - Character
Module
1 - Ways Into the Work
Lesson
1 - Overcoming Personal Obstacles
Introduction
This
lesson will encourage students to express sources of emotional
response to create sense memory.
Objectives
-
to
feel secure in the class.
-
to
cooperate with others.
-
to
share responses with other students.
-
to
concentrate during Drama experiences.
Resources
Soft, instrumental music for Mirror stretching.
CELs
C,
CCT, PSVS
Components
Creative/Productive
| Note:
This unit asks students to open up to each other in order
to really explore a character. They need to be encouraged
to lose themselves in a character. This involves taking
risks, not always looking pretty, or proper, or cool. |
|
Print
Resource (pdf):
Warm
Ups, Games and Exercises
(Students just not in the mood? Here is a selection of favourite
exercises to refer to as needed throughout the unit on Character)
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Activities
Activity
1 - Warm Up: "Mirrors"
Students will be familiar with this exercise from Unit 1. This
variation calls for work with a partner, preferably someone new
as a partner. Begin by playing soft music and having students
stretch together, taking turns with leading. An observer should
be unable to tell who is leading at any point. Next they move
to a sitting position, facing one another with knees almost touching.
They are to keep eye contact at all time. They are to mirror the
emotions which play across the face. Keep it subtle and real -
don't try to make it big. Once again, the observer should not
be able to tell who is leading. Let the emotions change.
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Discussion:
How did you feel doing that exercise? Does anything
make you uncomfortable with showing emotions? Which emotions
are the easiest to share? How can an actor recall an emotion
to use on stage and yet stay focused? ( 7 of 30 min.)
|
Try
the warm up exercise again. This time try standing up, about a
hand length apart. Work emotions again and be aware if there are
any triggers which make students move either further away or closer
together. Discuss.
On
the next try let the students know that you will be calling out
"Freeze", in which they must hold and remember
what they were doing, and "Play", in which the
partners must bring words to the exercise. What impulse is there
in the moment? Begin a dialogue. (30 min.)
| Talking
Circle: Talk about Emotional Recall and sense memmory
as discussed in Unit 1. Remind the students that we can
draw on personal experiences to help us move into character.
You may have to play a murderer one day - what could you
draw on in your own experience to bring to the role? This
means understanding the motivation or objectives (Wants)
of the character. Use the Talking Circle discuss which events
work most effectively for Emotional Recall. Although not
everyone will speak, using the talking circle object will
provide a feeling of security for what might otherwise just
be a classroom discussion. (5 -10 min.) |
 |
|
Remember not to force participation, but to invite. Some
hold painful pasts they may not be able to handle sharing.
Students must feel safe and respected in their choices. |
Activity
2 - A Moment in Silence:
Ask each student to think of an emotion, to begin being in
that emotional moment. One at a time they are to sit, or stand,
in front of the group in total silence while feeling that emotion.
They must make eye contact with everyone at least once. If they
begin to "perform" ask them to stop, focus and just
continue in the moment. Discuss the experience. (10 - 15 min.
depending on class size)
Instructional
Strategies
Discussion,
role play, focused imaging, reflective study
Evaluation
Students
are evaluated to see if they can complete the exercises with a
commitment to the process (ie: laughing inappropriately).
On-Line
Activity Alternatives
Without
the face to face contact it may seem the lesson would lose it's
impact. Not so, in some ways it may have an even greater impact
through sharing written memories. It may seem "safer"
to write it down, rather than saying it out loud - which may lead
to greater insight. Make sure student work is posted in a password
protected area so that they can share with the group without sharing
with the world. Students can do the final exercise , "Moment
in Silence" with a friend or with a mirror.
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