How Do We Create Stories Without Words?

I'm sorry that I'm not able to be in class today. Use today as a final practice session for your upcoming summative on movement!

Rewatch this video: How are the mimes able to create believable objects? What are some of the spaces you see the characters interacting in? What objects are used?

Facial Expressions Work:

Facial expressions are one of the most important elements when acting. In pantomime you must over exaggerate these facial expressions.

Selfies--If you have cell phones, they may use these. Make sure at least each pair has one cell phone. For this exercise, call out an emotion and ask the students to create BIG facial expressions and capture it in a selfie. 

Emotions: 

1. Happy
2. Sad
3. Anger
4. Nervousness
5. Scared
6. Disgusted
7. Jealous
8. Excited

Ask the partners to look back at the selfies and see what they had in common. Look specifically at the different features on the face for each emotion. Where are the eyes? The lips? The eyebrows? Create a large chart that explains.

10 minutes Rehearsal: Each pair should create a short scene in which the emotion changes drastically.

Perform for the group, giving feedback about what worked and constructive criticism.

Door Practice: 

Watch the videos and then practice each of the different doors.

Door Mime 1

Door Mime 2


Door Mime 3


Independent Practice: In teams of 2, create a door different from the ones you practiced here. Together show the door and struggle with opening it. Finally, find a creative way to open it up.

Perform and give feedback.

Project Explanation: Hand out and read performance explanation! Questions will be answered next class!

Improvisation--PROPS!

One of our goals is to start to look at the world a little differently, a little more creatively. One of the exercises we will work on is "That's Not A..." in which you will have 1 minute to come up with as many other uses for the object that are not its intended purpose!

As we discussed in class, here are some ways to examine an object:

1) Examine all of the perspectives and sides of the object. Take it apart and see how it works. Turn it upside down. Move the parts! Don't be afraid to see all the hidden elements.

2) Notice what makes the object unique. Think about texture, color, sound, movement and more!

3) Try to make connections with what you see (hear, feel or experience) and other items you have experienced in the past.

4) Think about scale. EXPAND your horizons--what could a GIANT do with this object? ZOOM IN. What about in an ant's world?

5) Sell your new item with confidence by showcasing it for all to see. (Think of an infomercial!)

Here's an example of PROPS from the TV Show "Whose Line Is It Anyway" to give you an idea of what to do: