Minds On

Warm up

Don’t forget to do your safety check!

Warm Up

Breathing activity

Find a comfortable position. Focus your attention on one part of the body at a time.

How does that part of your body feel? If possible, take a deep breath and allow your lungs to expand.

Focus your attention on one part of your body. Allow that part to relax before moving on to the next. As you scan through your body, keep breathing deeply.

Once you have completed the scan, take a moment to stretch.

Explore this audio recording entitled “Breathing Activity” to learn more about completing this warm-up exercise.

Breathing Activity

Drama game

Check out the following images of water.

As you explore each image, think of three to five words to describe each image. Record your words digitally, in writing, or as an audio recording. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.

When you are finished, read out the words that you wrote down. How do they make you feel?

Let’s get started

Explore the following video. Who do you think the character is in the video clip?

  • How do actors use props to convey who their character is?
  • Why are props important in creating a character?

Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.

Action

Get ready, get set…

Actors have to make all sorts of choices about their character as they get into role. One of the things they have to make choices about is props. Props are objects that help the audience understand more about the setting of a scene within a drama production. Depending on what the actor uses in role as a character, the audience starts to understand how that character thinks, feels, and acts at different times and places.

In a drama production, depending on what the story is about, there may be a number of props used on stage.

An actor has to decide how to use these props.

Press ‘Example’ to access one way in which an actor could use a prop.

For instance, maybe there’s a cup of water on a table on the stage.

Should the actor sip it slowly, or drink it down in one gulp?

It all depends on what their character would do.

Whatever the actor decides, it’s going to tell the audience what type of character they are. Maybe their character is in a rush, so they come into the room, drink the water all in one gulp, and then leave.

Explore this video entitled “Props” to learn more about how actors use props to get into character.

What did you learn about props?

Go!

It’s your turn to act out a character! You will be provided character bios, a scenario, and a props list. Make your selections and then it’s time to act!

Character bios

A character bio is a description about the character. It might include the character’s personality, hobbies, or interests. Character bios help actors begin to develop their character.

Explore the following bios. Select one that interests you the most. You may also create your own character bio for this activity.

Press the following tabs to learn more about each character.

The Lion:

  • proud
  • loud, confident communication style
  • uses big movements that take up space

The Mouse:

  • kind and sweet
  • nervous temperament
  • uses small and quick movements

The Hare:

  • athletic and fast
  • talks quickly and a lot
  • uses fast, sharp movements

Scenarios

Now explore the following scenarios. In a drama production, these might be the beginning of a scene. Select one that you would enjoy performing. You may also create your own scenario for this activity.

Props

Explore the following carousel of prop images. What might your character use?

Select one or two props from the images. You may also come up with your own props for your character.

Now you will put your character, scenario, and props together to determine how your character would use these props.

Press ’Sample’ to access a completed character chart for one way to combine your character, scenario, and props.

Character Chart

My character: The Mouse

My scenario: Scenario #1: You are playing with a ball at the park, when suddenly, there is a loud noise and a flash of light. You turn around and notice…

My props: A hat and a ladder

How my character will use the props: I will have my character wear their favourite hat while playing ball. They will use their ladder to escape from a tiger that appears after they notice the loud noise and flash of light.

When you are ready, complete the Character Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts. Consider adding your work to your drama portfolio.

Character Chart

My character: (Blank)

My scenario: (Blank)

My props: (Blank)

How my character will use the props:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Character Chart. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Consolidation

Perform it!

It’s time to act out your scenario using your props and your character. You may pretend to use the props, or you may select a physical prop from your own space.

Using props

If you are using a physical prop, please make sure you have permission. Replace the object where you found it after finishing this activity.

You may also create a detailed description of how you would use your props to act out your scenario.

Press ‘Example’ to access one way you could describe or act out your scene.

I chose the Mouse, Scenario 1, and the hat and ladder. I would either find the physical props I needed (with permission from an adult) or just pretend that I had them and act out the scenario with imaginary props.

Here’s an example of how the Mouse might act during Scenario 1:

Mouse enters wearing a hat that is too big.

Mouse scurries around dribbling a basketball. A ladder is at the end of the court.

Mouse

Wait, what is that?

There is a large sound and a flash of light.

Mouse stops and darts head back and forth.

Mouse turns around and widens its eyes and mouth at a tiger sleeping a few paces away.

The tiger grumbles and shifts in its sleep.

Mouse

I better get up into that tree.

It points to a nearby tree.

It struggles but manages to push a giant ladder over to the tree very slowly.

The tiger grunts and shifts in its sleep.

Mouse scrambles up the ladder and curls up in the branches of the tree.

It shifts their hat over their eyes.

Mouse

That was close! Time for a nap.

Press the following tabs to recall the character bios and scenarios we used for this activity.

Character bio #1: Lion

  • proud
  • loud, confident communication style
  • uses big movements that take up space

Character bio #2: Mouse

  • kind and sweet
  • nervous temperament
  • uses small and quick movements

Character bio #3: Hare

  • athletic and fast
  • talks quickly and a lot
  • uses fast, sharp movements

Scenario #1: You are playing with a ball at the park, when suddenly, there is a loud noise and a flash of light. You turn around and notice…

Scenario #2: You are hiking through a dense forest. The birds are chirping and there are rustling sounds nearby. You are positive you passed that rock before. You decide to consult your map. You reach into your backpack only to pull out a…

Scenario #3: It’s a beautiful sunny day, when suddenly, the sky opens up and rain begins to pour. The water starts rising, past your torso, and up to your shoulders. You start to swim…

Characters, scenarios, and props

As your character, answer the following questions:

  • What does each prop mean to you?
  • How does each prop relate to the situation that you are in?

Out of role, answer the following questions:

  • What actions does your character perform with the props?
  • What do we learn about the character through your use of the props?

Record your thoughts in a notebook or another method of your choice.

Portfolio

Review your learning

Reflect on the following questions and record your ideas using a method of your choice. Consider adding your thoughts to your drama portfolio.

  • How did it feel to take on a character in role?
  • Why are props an important part of developing a character?
  • What kind of clues do props provide the audience about a character or a particular scene in a drama production?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.