Theatre for Everyone

Check out this list of drama conventions (no, not a get-together at a Marriott). They're activities, ways to use drama in your classroom even if you're not an actor like these guys:

I think these could be useful for writing and social studies classes, or for brainstorming ideas for visual arts.

Warm-Ups

Here is the list of successful warm-ups we created at our meeting Friday.  I've included a brief description of each one, along with the name of the TA who introduced it, so if you have additional questions about them you can contact the corresponding TA directly. Thanks to everyone for your input.

1. Fred Schneider: Someone in group is asked question in rhythm.  Person responds (using his/her best Fred Schneider voice) and group sings/chants a variation of that answer.

TA: Chris

2. Seven Things: Someone in group has to answer a "Name Seven Things..." question (i.e. name Seven Things you can eat for breakfast).  This is also done in rhythm.   

TA: Chris

3.  Beanbag/Name Game: The classic name game exercise, where people's names are tossed around the circle.  This time an actual beanbag is used for the tossing.

TA: Nora

4.  Sound/Movement Circle:  A sound with accompanying movement/gesture is created by one person in the circle, then is "passed" to the next person in the circle.  That next person must repeat the sound/movement they received and then pass it on, but in passing it on they may change the sound/movement.  This continues till we've come full circle.  Note: To modify this for older kids you can add an adjective to the sound/movement, or another modification could be that the entire group collectively tries to make that sound/movement.

TA: Nora

5. Sausage: The aim of this one is to not laugh.  Questions are tossed to individuals in a circle, when the individual answers he/she can only respond with "Sausage."  Then it is their turn to ask a question to anyone in the circle (i.e. what are wearing around your neck?).  That person must only answer with "sausage."   If anyone laughs at any point they are eliminated.  This continues until there is only one person left.

TA: Julia

6.  Kitty Wants a Corner:  This game is all about finding an open space.  A circle is formed.  One person is "Kitty" and stands in the center.  That person chooses anyone in the circle and says "Kitty Wants a Corner." The person Kitty chooses should point to someone else in the circle and say "Sorry try my neighbor."  Kitty then goes to the new person and asks the same "Kitty wants a corner." Meanwhile the other circle member will try to switch places in the circle.  They have to do this quietly without Kitty seeing because if Kitty catches you she will "steal" your open space.  The person left without a space is the new "Kitty."

TA: Michelle

7:  Shakedown: The old reliable, quick-fire physical & vocal warm-up.  The group collectively counts back from 8 to 1 while shaking a limb in time to each number (right arm, then left arm, then right leg, etc.).   Group can then repeat the shakedown but counting faster every time.

TA: Kira

8.  Okay:  also know as the "Yes" game.  Person stands in the center of a circle.  Looks around until they lock eyes with someone at which point they ask "Okay?"  If the person  responds with "Okay," they then switch  places and the game continues.

TA: Kira

9. Wild Wild West:  Group forms a circle.  The 4 sounds are "Yee-Haw," "Hoedown," Red Barn" and "Gunslinger."  The main activity is to pass the sound "Yee-Haw" with a gesture in one direction, each person saying it to the next.  If the next person says "Yee-Haw" it continues in that direction.  If  the next person says "Hoe-down" then the "Yee-Haw" reverses direction.  If the next person says "Red Barn" then the "Yee-Haw" skips a person, but continues in the same direction.  If the next person says "Gunslinger" and points at anyone else in the circle, then the "Yee-Haw" continues with that person, in any direction.  Make sense?  Takes a little practice, but it's a great game.

TA: Audrey

The "You" Warm-up

Here's a quick and easy warm-up you can use with your students at almost any point in the year.  

It enhances communication skills, group focus and trust.  Here's how to play:

"YOU"

Students stand in a circle.  One person starts by gesturing towards someone else in the circle and saying "You."  That student then gestures and says "You" passing it another person in the circle.   There is no order or sequence for the "You," but as it is passed, the energy of gesture and volume of the "You" increases.  This continues until one student achieves such energy and volume that the person whom he/she is passing the "You" to realizes they cannot top it.   That's when the energy and volume begins to decrease, from person to person, until the gesture disappears and the "You" is not heard, only mouthed.  From there, the mouthing stops and the the "You" is passed only with movement of the eyes.  It may get lost soon after this point, and that's OK, because it will make the students feel they have a psychic connection with each other.

Note: This is game is especially good when preparing for a performance, but can be used at any point to enhance the group dynamic.  The more secure students feel with each other, the more risks they will be able to take in rehearsal, and the more confident they will feel on stage with each other.