Characters lesson

• Drama
• Middelbare school
• mavo
• Leerjaar 1

This lesson...                                                     

• Creating a character 20 minutes
•  Using that character in performance 10 minutes
• Brainstorm 10 minutes
• Test assignment to work on this lesson 30 minutes
  
• Comparing and giving feedback

What is a 'theatrical character'? 

• A character is a person or another being played by an actor
• The character is fictional 
  (made up, not existing in real life)
  

Go on the internet and find an example of a
'theatrical character'
(can be from out of a movie/serie/online video/game/etc.)

The 5 w's of your character

Who: who are they? Age/nationality/job etc

What: is interesting about them?

Why: have you chosen this person?

Where: does this person see themselves in the future

How: will they do that?

What makes them different to you? How will I see that?

Warm up

Red lorry

Yellow lolly

Red lolly 

Yellow lorry

 30 second performances

At the doctor... for what?

Angry with the other... why?

On an airplane... going where?

Jealous of the other.... why?

The night before your birthday... how are you feeling?

Thinks the other person has cheated... on what?

What is essential for a good performance?

A good performance has....

• Focused actors
• Storyline with beginning - climax - ending
• Clear use of space and of voice
• Take time to make things clear
• Speak in english of course!
• HAVE FUN
  

Let's check if everyone's got these points involved in their performances!

Brainstorm:

Fill in the character brainstorm - alone

Discuss your ideas in your group

Fill in a possible scene idea in your story mountain

Grading - 3 points for each thing + 2 bonus points

• I should see you playing your own character
• Everyone should talk
  
• Everyone should be concentrated
• There should be a clear climax in the performance
• Your performance is finished when the story ends
• Remember to use tableaus
• Bonus points for extra creativity                       (costumes, 'big characters', original storylines)

Start working on it now!

- think of the 5 w's

- remember begin-climax-end

- would you be interested in this story?

- remember start and end tableaus

Compare

Partner up with another group

Watch each others performances and give feedback (see next slide for help)

Grading - 3 points for each thing + 2 bonus points

• I should see you playing your own character
• Everyone should talk
  
• Everyone should be concentrated
• There should be a clear climax in the performance
• Your performance is finished when the story ends
• Remember to use tableaus
• Bonus points for extra creativity                       (costumes, 'big characters', original storylines)