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Tableau Articles for Drama Teachers

Browse 8 tableau articles

Challenge Exercise: Abstract Tableau Scenes
Classroom Exercise

Challenge Exercise: Abstract Tableau Scenes

Abstract theatre focuses on representing themes, ideas, situations, and emotions in a visual, stylized, symbolic way, rather than acting them out realistically. Using stylized physicality, students...
Exercise: Full-Class Tableau
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: Full-Class Tableau

If you’ve got a large group of drama students but not a lot of time, try these two quick full-class tableau exercises. Students will work together to create full-class tableau scenes as fast as...
Warm-Up Game: Tableau Mixer
Games

Warm-Up Game: Tableau Mixer

This warm-up game is a variation of the game “Numbered Tableaux”. It’s similar to the camp game “Chicken in the Hen House,” but adjusted to be safer for the drama classroom, and focused on creating...
Introduction to Tableau for Middle Schoolers
Acting

Introduction to Tableau for Middle Schoolers

Tableau is a fantastic introductory theatre topic for middle schoolers. The word “tableau” comes from the phrase tableau vivant, or “living picture.” In tableau, students use their bodies and...
Emotional Sound Design & Tableau Group Exercise
Classroom Exercise

Emotional Sound Design & Tableau Group Exercise

This group exercise has layers. It combines planning, teamwork, performance skills, and introductory sound design. Students will create three tableau scenes to tell stories that evoke various...
Tableau Scenes from a Book Come to Life
Classroom Exercise

Tableau Scenes from a Book Come to Life

This exercise was inspired by one of my favourite theatre games, Tableau Scenes from a Book. If you haven’t tried that game with your students yet, do that first! In the original version of the...
Exercise: Large Group Tableau Scenes
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: Large Group Tableau Scenes

The following exercise gives students the opportunity to practice active listening, teamwork, taking direction, and problem solving as a group. Acting as an ensemble with a student director, group...
Theatre Game: Tableau Scenes from a Book
Classroom Exercise

Theatre Game: Tableau Scenes from a Book

This is one of my absolute favourite theatre games. I always use it in my early drama classes because, not only is it a fun way to approach the basics of tableau, it’s a good way for students to...