Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the 9 elements of viewpoints and responding to stimuli by work shopping group compositions.
Materials:
Large area (stage or orchestra room)
Preparation:
Have a student sweep off the stage and check for any loose screws.
Have another student turn on the sound board/CD player so that the groups previewing today can set up their music. Have this student run sound for the previews.
Hook: While taking role hand the sign-up sheet for previews to a student. Let them tell the class the order in which each group is going.
Remind the class of the principles to giving feedback by picking two students to do an activity. Ask for volunteers who have never used a drill before. Give a drill to both of the students. Provide him/her with 8 screws and 4 boards and tell him/her to build something. Have them work on opposite sides. Give one person a peer who only tells them what to do and doesn’t let them discover on their own and has to have them do it their way. Have the other peer use questions and aid their peer by letting them discover on their own.
Discussion: Help your students discover the parallels to this example and giving feedback to Viewpoint compositions. Challenge them all to ask questions and talk to their peers as a collaborator rather than a director.
Instruction: Take the class into the auditorium (or orchestra room if the auditorium is not available). Instruct the group to take off their socks and shoes and set them aside. Once they are ready to warm up have them find their own separate space on the stage.
The Viewpoints Book(pg. 47)
Use the following activity to help the class to practice and explore shape in a safe place. Go through the following elements of shape by having them come up with shapes based on the following prompts:
Lines
Curves
Combination
Fluidity and Spontaneity
Traveling
Others
Traveling with Others
Time will not allow you to do all 7 activities however you can do a combination of them so that you work on and review these 7 components.
Practice: Once the warm-up comes to an end instruct the class to watch each preview in order to help the group performing improve and work on specific viewpoint principles:
Tempo
Duration
Kinesthetic Response
Repetition
Shape
Gesture
Architecture
Spacial Relationship
Topography
Remind the class that we will give feedback to each group—telling them what principles they explored very well and others that they can explore more and expound upon. Encourage questions that lead to self-discovery.
Workshop each group on the viewpoint element(s) decided by the class. Feel free to use exercises in The Viewpoints Book and exercises used in class.
Assessment: Have each group preview and assess the performers and the commentators on their knowledge and understanding of the 9 viewpoint principles as well as their ability to respond to stimuli on the spot. Jot down notes for your personal record on how to adjust your future lessons based on their level of understanding.
In the last 5 minutes of class have them talk in their groups and create a rehearsal plan of what to rehearse in class before performances.
Homework: Bring a scene or monologue from a play that you are very familiar with. Preferably choose one with a character that you would love to play.
