Set up:
- Push all tables, desks, and chairs to the edges of the room.
- Clean the floor.
- Have students remove their shoes and store them under their desks.
- Meet in a large circle.
Step 1: Warm-up activities
Instruct students to find their warm-up spot and go through warm-up activities.
- Echo activity (add new challenges)
- Mirror activity (add new challenges)
Step 2: Waiting in the wings
Have the students sit in the wings with their groups. The teacher is in the audience space and begins with explaining the rules for waiting in the wings.
- Stay all the way in the wing.
- Do not pick at the tape.
- Make sure the teacher or “audience” cannot hear your voice.
- Be VERY ready to get on stage when it is your turn.
Step 3: Creating the performance
After the teacher has gone over the rules for waiting in the wings and all the students understand the rules clearly, the teacher will introduce the script/plan for the performance.
- The right wing goes first: each individual group hears its job, then goes on stage and performs it with the narration. The groups then exit to their wing.
- The left wing goes second, following the same process as the right wing.
Step 4: Practicing the performance
The work process continues one wing at a time.
- Review the material that the groups have put together so far in preparation for putting the whole play together the next day.
Step 5: Fake it
Have students sit in a circle. Talk to them about the difference between practicing with each other and performing for an audience. What do we do if something goes wrong? What if I make a mistake or someone in my group makes a mistake? Discuss “faking it” and continuing on as if it’s all okay. When we are practicing we will stop and fix mistakes, but during the actual performance in front of a real audience, if something goes wrong, we will fake it and keep moving.
Step 6: Planning for the show
Have students sit with their groups and discuss expectations for the show:
- Students should wear regular clothes (not dress up clothes) so they can move well.
- Students should perform either barefoot or in sneakers. They can decide on the day of.
- Students will sit in the audience until it’s their turn.
- Discuss who will be in the audience (e.g., other classes who will also be performing, younger students, and families)
- There will be one final 15 minute practice in the performance space sometime before the big show.
Step 7: Cool down
Students return to their warm-up spots. When the teacher calls the student’s name they can get their shoes, return to their spot, and put them on. When all the students have their shoes on, the students put the room back together.
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