TEKS:(A)model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression

(A)develop and practice theatrical, dance, and vocal music preparation and warm-up techniques

Objectives: The students will explore the acting method known as “viewpoints” and relate it to their UIL one act roles.

Materials needed

  • Open playing space
  • Space for students to place their belongings

Lesson Plan

1st Engagement — Gather the students in a circle after meeting in the lobby. Have the students remove their shoes and begin leading them through some stretches. Vocal warm ups will not be necessary but be sure to include a focus exercise before moving on. (8 min)

Transition — Have the students remain in a circle, preferably seated. Begin a brief explanation into what the viewpoints are and how they apply to performance. Be sure to make a comparison to their previous work in Stanislavsky, and make the point that while Stanislavsky deals with the “internal”, viewpoints deals with the “external”. (6 min)

2nd Engagement — Have the students rise and begin walking about the space as if it were a grid. Instruct them to move only in straight lines and right angles. As they move be sure to do the following…..

  • Establish a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the slowest they can move and 5 being the fastest they can move SAFELY within the space. Use this to experiment with tempo.
  • As they move have them explore topography by using their arms to explore above and around them, while also having them explore levels with their body.
  • At some point, have them stop and have them experiment with simple gestures. Have them apply the same 1 to 5 scale they did for their earlier movements. Be sure to emphasize how slowing down our movements changes our awareness of what we are doing. For instance, moving slowly makes our limbs feel much heavier. Use this as a way of exploring duration as well as repetition.
  • Explore kinesthetic response by having the students continue moving on the grid while maintaining their soft focus. Instruct them that their goal is to all come to a complete stop, without any one person initiating it. They must do this organically, so be sure to emphasize awareness within their soft focus. Have them try multiple attempts all while side coaching.
  • Have the students silently select another person to focus on as they walk. Have them walk in a way that never lets their person out of their sight. Instruct them to focus on all the details they may have overlooked about this person such as the length of their stride, the shapes that their body makes, etc. Have them choose another person only when they stop receiving new information about their person and to pay attention to when this happens in their heads.

There will not be time to do all of this but be sure to at least hit the first 3 points. (20 min)

Final Engagement — Gather the students back in their original circle and ask them about their experience. Be sure to hit the point that “your body is your instrument” and that we all have different “instruments” with different strengths and limitations and that part of being an actor is knowing what these are. Go back over the viewpoints that were explored and talk to the students about this approach being one of many “tools” an actor may have at their disposal. (10 min)

  • If there is a few minutes left of class, instruct the students to grab their Lark scripts and explore these viewpoints from their character’s perspective.