Unit
Devising
Created by Corinna Rezzelle
In this Devising Unit, students will create characters, practice storytelling through stage movement and tableaux, collaborate on a one-minute scene, and write a play. Improvisational games will help unleash students’ creativity and build their in-class ensemble skills. Games, activities, and talking points are provided to help students gain a basic knowledge of stagecraft, stage movement, and the creative writing aspect of devising a play. Students will vote for a play topic and experiment with activities such as HotSeating, Mantle of the Expert, and Role on the Wall. Discussion, reflection, and feedback are parts of the process.
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The overview includes information on the unit, a list of the lesson plans, materials needed, and unit goals, objectives, and assessment tools.
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1Lesson 1CharacterizationStudents explore what makes a character interesting through the examination of physical objects. What do objects say about us? What can you infer about a person by the objects they carry with them? Students will role-play in process drama activities to explore characters and to create their own.
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2Lesson 2Physicalization / Stage MovementStudents explore how body language can show a story (i.e. how someone is feeling, character traits, relationships between characters, etc.). The lesson culminates in students using a physical elliptical scene (a scene with just stage directions) and adding movements, gestures, and body language.
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3Lesson 3Contentless Scenes / Building ScenesIn this lesson, students will start their scene work first with a contentless scene, a one-minute scene, and then (for homework) write a one-page scene based on a real life experience.
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4Lesson 4Choosing a TopicIn this lesson, students discuss and choose a topic for their devised piece.
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5Lesson 5Beginning to WriteIn this lesson, students begin putting the pieces together for their devised work. Students brainstorm on their topic, then participate in a movement piece and a forum theatre activity to explore their topic.
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6Lesson 6Building the PlayIn this lesson, students continue to build the play by writing and revising scenes, reading each other’s work, and providing feedback.
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7Lesson 7The Ren RunIn this lesson, students will work in groups to create transitions in improvised tableaux and movement pieces. They will also participate in a “ren run” to practice improv blocking.
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8Lesson 8RevisionIn this lesson students watch the Ren Run then discuss the topic of revision. What is the message of the play? How do the scenes communicate the message? Note: Depending on the amount of revisions your students feel the play needs, revising might take longer than one lesson. Feel free to add time, if need be.
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9Lesson 9RehearsalIn this lesson, students finalize casting, then start rehearsing. Focus the rehearsals on blocking. What is the necessary movement to communicate the content of the scene?
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10Lesson 10Rehearsal / Character DevelopmentStudents continue to rehearse. In this lesson, character development exercises deepen the students’ experiences and final products.
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11Lesson 11Rehearsal / Designing the playStudents continue to rehearse. They also move on to the design phase of the project. The group will decide upon costuming and props for the performance. NOTE: Keep costumes and props simple. Black works well for costumes with colourful accents.
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12Lesson 12Final Rehearsal & PerformanceStudents run the show before their performance. And then on the decided upon date and time, they perform!
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13Lesson 13Post-Show Discussion and ReflectionThis lesson happens after the performance. Post-show discussion questions are included as well as a post-show reflection.
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