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Preparing a role for performance

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Preparing a role for performance

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, students will look at vocal and physical performance techniques and apply these to their performance, and if possible, ask someone to film them performing their monologue. They will watch their monologue back and evaluate their performance.

Content guidance

  • Physical activity required.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Video

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Starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What are vocal skills?
Being able to shout really loudly.
Being able to speak really fast.
Correct answer: The way we use our voice to communicate our character and emotions.
Q2.
What is body language?
A language spoken in a specific country.
Being able to switch to different languages very quickly.
Correct answer: Using your body to express your character's thoughts and feelings in a performance.
Q3.
Why might you use thought tracking in your devised performance?
To ask the audience to buy an ice cream at the interval
To make sure the audience know where the toilets are
Correct answer: To tell the audience a secret about your character which other characters don't know
Q4.
What can eye contact be used for in your performance?
To hypnotise the audience.
To make sure the audience see what colour your eyes are.
Correct answer: To show who you are talking to or about, or to convey your emotions.
Q5.
Can a devised performance have a script?
No, that would be absurd.
Correct answer: Yes, you may eventually write down what you have devised.

Exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
How can pause be a useful device in a monologue?
Correct answer: It can create tension, show a change in thought, or show another character speaking.
It gives the audience time to cough or open sweets.
It wakes audience members up who may have fallen asleep.
Q2.
Why is it important to plan your movement and body language?
So that the audience can focus on your lines instead.
Correct answer: So that you are always moving with purpose and intention.
So that you don't accidentally walk into something.
Q3.
What is the purpose of stage directions in a script?
They give directions of where to find the theatre.
Correct answer: They give instructions for how a line should be performed, e.g. suggesting tone of voice or volume, stage position, or extra effects.
They give the audience extra information about the character.
Q4.
What does "PPPTV" stand for in vocal skills?
Pete, Paul, Patrick, Tanya, Vanessa.
Correct answer: Pitch, pace, pause, tone, volume.
Presence, pacing, polish, tempo, vision.
Q5.
Why is it important to vary tone of voice?
Correct answer: To convey a wide range of emotions and thoughts through your speech.
To ensure your voice matches your body language.
To make sure the performance is good value for money.

Lesson appears in

UnitDrama / Devising from an image: Narrative approaches

Drama

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