Unit(s): Stage Movement/Pantomime
Purpose:
To improve pantomime technique by creating respect for absent objects
Objective:
The students will make the audience "see" objects that are not present by recreating size, shape, weight, resistance, texture, and condition.
Materials:
- Several long jump ropes
- Several balls of various sizes--tennis, soccer, golf, and basketballs
- Lots of space--the gym, stage, or parking lot?
Procedure:
- Discuss with students the fact that all objects have several important elements that must be created for the audience to "see" the object and understand the movement--size, shape, weight, resistance, texture, and condition.
- Divide the class into groups of four or five and give each group a jump rope. Ask them to take turns throwing and jumping the rope. After a few moments, take away the rope and ask them to continue throwing. When the throwers get together and make the absent rope "visible," ask the jumpers to begin. Continue until everyone has had a turn at both throwing and jumping and is able to make the rope "visible." Don't forget to chant those children's rhymes like "Cinderella, dressed in yella....."
- Divide the class into groups of six or seven. Ask them to stand in a circle and give each group a ball to bounce back and forth across the circle. Ask them to observe the position and movement of their hands when they have the ball. After a few moments take away the ball. Continue until all the groups have played with all the balls.
- Divide the class into two groups for a tug of war. First work with one of the jump ropes. Take away the rope and repeat the tug of war with an imaginary rope.