Tool 14: Putting on performances

Acting out stories is a good way of reflecting human life. You can also create scenes using a picture, a piece of music or an object. When you act, you take on a role. This means that you try to take on the feelings of a specific person and act these out. After the performance, everybody will be able to think about which parts of the performance appeared “real” and which parts were imagined.

“Free” performing

• Write down key words that represent the performance.
• Decide who will play which role and what is important to remember in each role.
• Gather all the necessary materials.
• Rehearse the performance.
• Get the stage ready.
• Enjoy the show.

Afterwards, discuss the following questions:

• What could you see?
• Did everybody understand everything?
• What was particularly good?
• Was something missing in your opinion?
• What was a bit too exaggerated?
• What questions do we have about the content?

Creating a performance from a text

Read the story together and create scenes:

• Who was involved? Where did it take place?
• How did the people deal with the situation? What did they say?
• How did others react?
• How did the story end?
• Decide upon the number of acts in the performance.
• Who will play which role? What costumes will be necessary?
• Rehearse your performance.
• Evaluate your performance together with your classmates.

Creating a performance from an image

• Look for a picture that could be used as the basis for a play.
• Imagine yourself in the picture.
• Gather ideas: how did/do the people you see in the picture live? What are they happy about? What are they unhappy about?
• Create a performance using this picture and note down key words for each scene.
• Decide upon the number of acts in the performance.
• Decide who will play which role and what is important in this role.
• Rehearse the performance and find props.
• Get the stage ready and invite the guests.
• Evaluate your performance together with your classmates.