60-Minute Workshops for Stage 3
Designing Drama
In Designing Drama, students examine how the elements of drama are used to shape meaning. We work together to recreate a series of key moments from iconic movie plots using Playroom’s collection of props and costumes. Our Teaching Artists guide students to consider how space, focus, symbol and contrast can be used to convey meaning alongside the resources provided. Each movie moment is captured using an instant polaroid-style camera and compiled into a book for the class to keep. We use the prints to reflect on our success in capturing the dramatic action of the plot.
Designing Drama addresses outcomes DRAS3.2, DRAS3.3 and DRAS3.4.
How Stories Work
How Stories Work is our masterclass in constructing effective stories in drama and creative writing. To be a great storyteller means being a great problem solver! Using Jack Heath’s collection of short stories, 10 Minutes of Danger, we observe the way the writer constructs the narrative following patterns of problem and solution. Students work in groups to rewrite the ending to a number of the stories in 10 Minutes of Danger, emphasising contrast, tension and surprise in their retelling. The groups' stories become scripts which are rehearsed and presented to the class.
How Stories Work addresses outcomes DRAS3.2, DRAS3.3 and EN3-UARL-01.
Hero, Villain, Ruler, Rebel
The Hero, Villain, Ruler and Rebel are archetypal characters found in stories throughout history. In this workshop, students identify archetypes in some of their favourite stories and engage with archetypal characters using puppetry. The students are introduced to a Japanese form of puppetry called Bunraku, where simple, large-scale puppets are controlled by three operators working in unison. We teach students how to operate our Hero, Villain, Ruler and Rebel puppets, experimenting with qualities of movement before the class use their understanding of archetypes and the puppets to devise new and exciting scenes.
Hero, Villain, Ruler, Rebel addresses outcomes DRAS3.2, DRAS3.3 DRAS3.4, EN3-UARL-01.
Improv Lab
In this workshop, we explore characterisation in a series of energetic improvisation activities that invite students to consider how a character moves and speaks as well as their inner world. Students select a unique stimulus and develop their characters in collaboration: by making offers and accepting each other's ideas. We discuss stereotypes and cliches, and consider how these can be subverted to create more captivating and original characters. Led by experienced improvisors, the students use improvisation to develop and deepen their ideas, devising scenes driven by their character's perspective and motive.
Improv Lab addresses outcomes DRAS3.1, DRAS3.2 and DRAS3.3.