How
it works: A small group acts out a scene (event) in history/ story/ area of
science/ math. After performing the
short improv skit, the director yells cut, tells them that it’s all wrong, and
that they need to do it another way (picks a different theme --- ex: western,
musical, soap opera, see separate list for more). The process is repeated a couple times. The groups could change each time. It could be helpful to save time if the
themes were all written on papers and chosen out of a hat each time. THIS ONE IS ALMOST ALWAYS A HUGE HIT.
-This
could also be adapted to teach point of view, mood, tone, theme, pacing,
structure, and several other skills/ concepts.-Students can experience what happens when style/ structure do not correspond with literal meaning (great jump to irony and wit for older students).
-“The Director’s Skit” is a marvellous way to teach Shakespeare too, or any other text with difficult elements (or anything else, just to make it more memorable). It’s a step up from reading aloud. One student or more students are the narrators/ directors. They have the text open in front of them and explain to the others what each character needs to do and say. It is a live action, active experience of the text. Of course, audience members get to call out for theme changes and actors are constantly changing.
Director’s Skit Theme
Suggestions :
WesternOverly Happy
Underwater
Medieval Times
Halloween Time
Leprechauns
Silent Movie
Action Movie
Sitcom
Musical
Opera
Star Wars
Dancing
River Dance
Ballet
Hip Hop
Sponge Bob
Soap Opera (overly dramatic)
Overly emotional
Gangster
Multiple accents
A specific accent
Cheer leaders
Macho men
Valley girls
Opposite genders
Robots
Monotone
Angry/ easily offended
Les Misérables (sing every line)
Ninjas
Pirates
Snobbery
Over the top people pleasing
Spoiled children
Hyper children
Hippies
Paranoia
Samurais
Would you like to lead this activity in class one day? You could pull content from the grade you may be teaching and you could ask a partner or two from your "Drama Strength" group to help if you like. Let me know. (Would a shy group need to have some preparation to be ready for an improv skit?)
ReplyDeleteOh Katerina please pick me, pick me! I love this game :) Hmm, I might be tempted to try using this on practicum actually!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I have done the Director's Skit many many times. You're right when you say it's a favourite. We do it at the end of our week long camps at Camp Mountainview. My friends actually made up a part for me in the skit; I was the camera man, Spencer! They realized that I was a mega introvert and yet still found a way to include me in the fun (the camera man part is *mostly* a non-speaking role). I basically tried to act out the theme of the scene while holding up an empty juice jug. This skit is a lot of fun. I'm glad someone else knows it!
ReplyDeleteSure, Willow. I could do that in class some time. Not everyone needs to be part of the improve either. I would probably split a regular class into small groups and some students who were uncomfortable could choose to be the narrators and contribute from the directing side. It would not be difficult in our class to find people to volunteer though (in addition to Michael, who is always the obvious).
ReplyDeleteAlex, that's sweet. Thanks for sharing that. I definitely need to remember to be respectful of the introverts. I like how your friends did that for you. I think it would be sweet to give the students ownership for taking care of each other like that, to choose comfortable parts for each of the people in the group. That also makes me appreciate a lot more too how often you volunteer for drama roles in our classes. That's awesome!
Ah, sorry we missed this opportunity! So much to do...so little time! And thanks for pointing out how all kinds of people can be included in drama, Alex.
ReplyDelete