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Unit One - Introduction to Drama
Module 2: Actor's Tools
Lesson 2 - Obstacles

Introduction:
By the time the lesson in complete, the relationship between objectives and obstacles will be clear. Scenes will be more interesting because the conflict is heightened.

Objectives:
- to demonstrate an ability to portray a character's motivation within a scene
- to use improvisation to explore characters and situations

Resources:
PDF "Actable Verb List"

CELs:
C, CCT

Components:
Creative/Productive

Activities:

Activity 1 - Warm Up "Don't Slap my Hands"

This warm up is also about getting what you want. Focus on the objective:

  • in partners stand facing one another, about half a metre apart.
  • each holds their hands out, palms down to the floor
  • "A" has hands in the top position a few centimeters above "B".
  • without warning, "B" is to try to slap the tops of "A's" hands before "A" can move out of the way.
  • take turns in the top position (2-4 min.).

Activity 2- Warm Up "Come to my Party"

You can't always get what you want - what is the result?

  • in partners again - "A" is having a party and "B" will not agree to come to the party
  • the discussion is limited to "please come to my party" and "no, sorry".
  • "A" should try pleading, begging, threatening, bribing, crying, flirting, intimidating, etc.
  • "B" needs to show why the refusal is being given - scared, broken leg, headache, grounded, another commitment, hate them, don't understand English, etc. (5 min.).

 Talking Circle:
How did it feel to do the warm ups? How do the games help describe "objective and obstacle"? How might you apply this to a scene? (10 min.)


One of the best ways to express an objective is a want stated as a verb (explained further in Unit 3) and an obstacle is the problem which prevents the character from achieving the objective. The obstacle is what creates the conflict for the character. The obstacle may be physical, emotional, intellectual or psychological. Let's look at some examples:

Objective - I want to get a job.

Possible Obstacles - no transportation; or afraid; or physical handicap; or not schooled enough; or too young/old/wrong race/wrong gender; or wife/husband objects to working outside of home.

Activity 3 - Create a Scene

In partners, look at the "Actable Verb" list below and discuss any words needed to clarify meaning. Without telling the partner, each are to select four verbs they will use as objectives in a scene. The objective can change at any time, in relation to events as they unfold. Try a couple improv scenes using the objectives (20 min.).

Most Common Actable Verbs:

convince help mock
encourage seduce crush
prepare build inspire
reassure hurt destroy
suppress awaken incite
belittle mock tease


Once you are comfortable with the verb list , try harder scenes with both objectives and obstacles. As a group, come up with as many possible obstacles and write them on slips of paper to be placed in a can. As the scenes are played, students are to select new obstacles (from the can) to add into the scene. They have to also play the objective - tricky! (10 min.)

Journal:
How did it feel to do the exercise? Do you see how you might apply it to a scene? Provide an example - write out a short scene and describe the objective(s) and obstacle(s). How is conflict enhanced in this way? (10 min.)

Instructional Strategies: Role play, discussion

Evaluation: Participation on improvisation scenes may be evaluated.

On-line Activity Alternatives: The scenes can be created in a chat room, with the teacher observing various synchronous chats. Emotions can be shown through emoticons.

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