PD Course
Exploring Viewpoints
Created by Erin Carr
11 modules
3 hours, 28 minutes
5 Credit Hours
Viewpoints is used to create dynamic moments of theatre by simply existing on the stage. However, Viewpoints is more than just an acting technique to understand your own physicality and more than a directing technique to create “ah-ha!” moments on stage. It is first and foremost the philosophy that to create an organic performance, you must see obstacle as opportunity, and that by simply standing in space, your creativity can spark.
This course by Erin Carr will help your students discover fresh impulses that motivate their performance in the moment. We will go through the Viewpoints technique, as created by Mary Overlie, and learn how to tap into kinesthetic awareness as individuals and as an ensemble. Through this style of play, students learn to release their thoughts on what they “should” do, and instead just respond organically to their surroundings and ensemble!
We’re going to break down each of the Viewpoints, there’s lots of visual demonstration, so you can see each Viewpoint in action, and I’m going to provide tips and side coaching examples.
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0Lesson 0Overview3:21 FREE PREVIEWThis lesson gives an overview of the course and what is covered in each module.
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1Lesson 1Introduction8:06 FREE PREVIEWThis lesson introduces the technique of Viewpoints and ways to apply it in the classroom.
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2Lesson 2History & Terminology9:13 LockedThis lesson reviews the history of Viewpoints and some of the terminology used with this technique.
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3Lesson 3Warm-ups20:52 LockedLesson 3 takes you through some of the warm-ups inspired by Viewpoints for both individuals and ensembles.
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4Lesson 4Time17:05 LockedThis lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Time, and students learn how to introduce tempo, kinesthetic response, duration and repetition.
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5Lesson 5Shape38:38 LockedThis lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Shape, and students learn how to introduce general shape as well as gestures.
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6Lesson 6Space38:20 LockedThis lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Space, and students learn how to introduce spatial relationship, topography, and architecture.
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7Lesson 7Open Viewpoints Session16:45 LockedThis lesson introduces what an Open Viewpoints session might look like, and the benefits of taking this time to combine the Viewpoints.
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8Lesson 8Scene Work24:59 LockedThis lesson introduces the use of Viewpoints in scene work.
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9Lesson 9Review4:59 LockedThis final lesson reviews how the Viewpoints technique is used, and where you can continue to take this work.
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11BONUS LessonDistance Learning Option26:22 LockedErin Carr and Lindsay Price discuss how to use the Viewpoints course for distance learning.
Standards Addressed
Improvisation Drama 10
- 1 use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
- 13 communicate meaning without words
- 14 discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
- 24 select and use vocal techniques appropriate to a character
- 26 use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to a character
- 32 sustain a character throughout a scene or exercise
Acting Drama 20
Movement Drama 10
- 1 display the ability to be still
- 10 demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
- 12 demonstrate knowledge of elements of space
- 14 create physically shapes in space
- 15 use basic locomotor movements (eg. walking, running, crawling) to explore space
- 16 create and repeat patterns of movement
- 17 demonstrate freezing of movement in space
- 18 appreciate that physical expression can enhance language
- 19 demonstrate qualities of energy
- 20 create appropriate personal physical warmup routines
- 21 demonstrate the ability to extend a movement
- 22 translate words, images and emotions into movement
- 23 demonstrate non-verbally the who, what, where, why and when of a story
- 24 demonstrate understanding of mood, and communicate mood
- 3 recognize the necessity for physical warmups
- 4 perform a physical warmup
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Orientation
- communicate through use of voice and body
- demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
- focus concentration on one task at a time
- listen effectively
- meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
- move in a variety of ways
- offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
- recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
- share ideas confidently with others
- support positively the work of others
- work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large groups
Movement Level I - Beginning
- 1 demonstrate understanding of and apply appropriate safety procedures
- 10 use varying speed of movement
- 11 use directions and pathways
- 13 control focus and energy in movement and gesture
- 14 create shapes with the body
- 16 demonstrate freezing of movement
- 17 use movement to communicate non-verbally
- 18 create movement in response to music
- 19 translate sounds, words, images, and emotions into movement
- 2 demonstrate awareness of personal and shared space
- 3 use physical relaxation techniques effectively
- 4 recognize the need for and demonstrate warmup activities
- 5 move individual body parts
- 6 use proper posture
- 7 demonstrate awareness of his or her own body and its movement potential
- 8 display increased freedom of movement
- 9 travel through space in a variety of ways e.g., running, creeping and jumping
Movement Level II - Intermediate
Movement Level III - Advanced
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
Junior Goal I Objectives
Senior Goal I Objectives
- demonstrate a sense of inquiry and commitment, individually and to the group
- demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
- demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
- demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
- extend physical and vocal capabilities
- extend the ability to concentrate
- extend the ability to control and express emotions
- increase self-confidence
- increase self-discipline
Senior Goal II Objectives
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