Presents an acting lesson intended to teach students to remain focused on character objectives while retaining the spontaneity that is key to producing believable acting. Suggests that three students act out a set situation while the rest of the class watches, and describes the process of critique after the lesson is complete. (PA)

Presents two exercises to develop the concept of story for the actor. Suggests that, without awareness of story, an actor will not be able to present the play's story effectively. Describes the first exercise as taking an imaginary shower (with clothes on) and the second exercise as a group shower. Notes that props are not used. (PA)

Explains that the exercise "Pictures at an Exhibition" is designed to remind student actors of their responsibilities to the script and audience while simultaneously giving them a chance to employ the basic tools of the acting craft. Presents the activity in two rounds: (1) what do you see? and (2) painting by the numbers. (PA)

Describes new ways to use the old game of musical chairs to teach basic acting skills. Presents several variations, including "start me up,""I will survive,""shake your bootie,""who are you?," and "don't know much about history." States that each exercise builds on the previous one, and can be used…

Describes the "Power Game," which has only one rule: the object is to win, and the game is over when one player speaks or touches the other. Explains the structure and progression of the game in rounds. States that the game provides a launching point for a discussion of power, winning and losing, and listening clearly. (PA)

Describes the experiences of a teacher who inherited a drama program from a prior instructor, and the problems that the new instructor faced. States that, with the introduction of improvisation exercises from Viola Spolin (based on team play and noncompetitive theater games), the instructor saw a dramatic turnaround in student interest and…

This is a description of the TWC (Teachers and Writers Collaborative) workshops and projects which send poets (such as Kenneth Koch), actors, dancers and artists into the classroom. (JA)

Shows how the party game "whisper down the lane"---where a message is whispered to the next person in line and repeated until it reaches the last person--can serve to tell a story. Uses the game as an acting exercise to train players in listening carefully, speaking clearly, concentrating, staying in the moment, and focusing on…

Uses character analysis borrowed from drama classes to work on literary selections. Gives writing assignments to students based on characters from a story. Conducts interviews with the "characters" in class. (PA)

This book provides easy-to-follow procedures for producing a play in an elementary school classroom. The book discusses choosing a play, casting, coaching, costumes, sets, and props. The process described in the book begins with simple creative dramatics that can be done easily in class, and then moves on to small group activities that continue to…

Dynamic classroom role-playing is an essential ingredient in interpretation and performance if the student actor is to learn the technical skills of believable characterization. One of the first classroom performance principles in playing the role is for the student actor to read the playscript with a critical eye to grasp the creative suggestions…