Month: September 2017

Two groups presented their activities during class.  We did (1) funeral procession and (2) accepting circle.

We had a test on improv.  The test was as follows:

Answer the following questions on a loose-leaf piece of paper.  Use complete sentences.

1. What are the two questions that we ask ourselves during improv? Tell me the answers, as well!
2. What are the two rules of improv? Tell me briefly what each rule means.
3. Who is Ms. Halpern?
4. What is The Committee?
5. Tell me one way improv says that “thinking ahead can hinder your life?”
6. Who is Viola Spolin?

Today two groups presented their improv games to the class and the class played them.  One game was a small group ask and answer game, while the other was a critical thinking large group circle game.

After, I reviewed what would be on the test on Friday.  I showed the students where the notes are on my webpage.

Finally, we went over what the behavior expectations are for games versus direct instruction and agreed on two sets of behavior rules.

1. Engage in pantomime activity where the box in front of me is invisible and I can pull anything out of it I can dream of.
2. Notes on Pantomime

   What is pantomime?

   Pantomime is the art of acting and storytelling without words or sounds.  It is an art that develops non-verbal communication using facial expression and body language to create elements of character, plot, space, and action.

   Movement

   Pay specific attention to the size, shape, resistance, and weight of any object that you incorporate into your pantomime.  Isolate movement so that we see the effect of a specific action or gesture on each individual part of your body.  Make sure that each section of your pantomime is part of a motivated sequence:
   We experience stimulus (something happens)
   We think about it
   Our body responds to it

   Character

   Create a strong character with definite personality traits and mannerisms.  Let the character feel emotions and experience all sorts of moods.

   Story

   Create a simple story line that is easy to understand.

   Rehearse and Revise

   Pantomime takes a lot of practice to become perfect.  Try a number of ideas and then use the ones that you feel comfortable with.  Have other students or your teacher watch you perform, discuss what is not clear, and get suggestions on how it could be clearer.  Once you think you have the basics down, rehearse it over and over until you are sure it is perfect.  Then rehearse it again.

   Limitations of Pantomime in Competition

   If you wish to compete at Region and State Drama Tournaments with your pantomime you must conform to the following rules:

   Pantomimes can have one or two people
   Pantomime time limit is three to six minutes long
   The only prop allowed in pantomime is one chair per person
   Pantomimes must be silent – no talking, sounds, or music is allowed.

3. How?
   Consistency – keeping objects the same size, in the same place, etc.
   Exaggerated Resistance – define and make movements sharp and crisp, make every movement bigger than life
   Exaggerated Facial Expression and Gestures – keeping expressions and gestures specific but bigger than life
4. Activity where each student attempts the randomly chosen simple activity to pantomime using the strategies above (ie shopping and paying for items)