Storytelling Improv Games to Improve Actor Skills

Most theater games are improv-based. Theyre intended to give actors an opportunity to expand and stretch their skills in a low-risk, no-stress, collegial situation. At the end of a session, however, actors will have improved their ability to imagine themselves in new situations and respond appropriately. Some improvisational exercises focus on a performers ability to tell stories off-the-cuff. These activities are often stationary theater games, meaning the actors are not required to move about very much. With this in mind, a  storytelling improv game might not be as entertaining as other more physically dynamic games but is  still an excellent way to sharpen ones imagination. Here are a few easy-to-perform storytelling improv games, ideal for a class activity or a warm-up exercise at rehearsal: Story-Story Known by many other names, Story-Story is a circle game for all ages. Many ​grade school teachers use this as an in-class activity, but it can be just as fun for adult performers. The group of performers sits or stands in a circle. A moderator stands in the middle and provides a setting for the story. She then points to a person in the circle and he begins telling a story. After the first storyteller has described the beginning of the story, the moderator points to another person. The story continues on; the new person picks up from the last word and tries to continue the narrative. Every performer should get several turns to add to the story. Usually the moderator suggests when the story comes to a conclusion; however, more advanced performers will be able to conclude their story on their own. Stagecoach Somewhat similar to Story-Story, this game involves collaborative story-building. It is also a chair-swapping and memory game, all at the same time. Begin the game by sitting in a circle, with the moderator standing in the middle. Their task is to point at each sitting person and receive suggestions for items or people they would find on the Stagecoach—a gun, a sheriff, moonshine, and so on. The game then proceeds as the person in the middle starts telling their story, including as many of the suggestions as possible, while making the plot coherent. To indicate that you just made use of one of the suggestions, spin around three times. The main active piece of this game is that at any given point someone may and should shout Stagecoach. When that happens, everyone has to swap chairs and the person from the middle tries to find a spot too, leaving a new storyteller in the center. This improv game is over when all the initial suggestions have been used or when all the characters perspectives have been described. It is a very fun game. And of course, you can change the title according to your imagination—Airplane, Castle, Prison, Fairground, etc. Best/Worst In this improv activity, one person creates an instant monologue, telling a story about an experience (either based upon real-life or pure imagination). The person begins the story in a positive way, focusing on terrific events and circumstances. Then, someone rings a bell. Once the bell sounds, the storyteller continues the story, but now only negative things occur in the plot. Each time the bell rings, the storyteller shifts the narrative back and forth, from the best events to the worst ones. As the story progresses, the bell should ring more quickly. (Make that storyteller work for it!) Nouns From a Hat There are many improv games that involve slips of papers with random words, phrases, or quotes written on them. Usually, these phrases have been invented by audience members. Nouns From a Hat is one of these types of games. Audience members (or the moderators) write nouns on a slip of paper. Proper nouns are acceptable. In fact, the stranger the noun, the more entertaining this improv will be. Once all of the nouns have been collected into a hat (or some other container), a scene begins between two improv performers. About every 30 seconds or so, as they establish their storyline, the performers will reach a point in their dialogue when they are about to say an important noun. Thats when they reach into the hat and grab a noun. The word is then incorporated into the scene, and the results can be wonderfully silly. For example: BILL: I went to the unemployment office today. They offered me a job as a... (reads noun from the hat) penguin. SALLY: Well, that doesnt sound too promising. Does it pay well? BILL: Two buckets of sardines a week. SALLY: Maybe you could work for my uncle. He owns a... (reads nouns from the hat) footprint. BILL: How can you run a business with a footprint? SALLY: Its a Sasquatch footprint. Oh yeah, its been a tourist attraction for years. Nouns from a Hat can involve more actors, as long as there are enough slips of paper. Or, in the same manner as Best/Worst, it can be delivered as an improvisational monologue. Oh, What Happened? This is an improv storytelling game more suited for older participants. It helps students develop an awareness of the importance of multiple points of view. The game begins with the moderator telling and acting out a story from their own point of view, including multiple characters and open ends. The catch is that by the end of the story, the storyteller has to die and their turn is over. The next person picks another of the characters that were already mentioned and tells the story from their perspective, ending it again with that characters death. The game goes on until you run out of characters, your set time, or when everyone had their turn. Guided Visualization While this may seem like an unusual type of improv game, a guided visualization can stimulate students imagination and give way to some unexpected stories. Have your participants close their eyes and prompt them to imagine various things, people, trips, places, events. Dont specify anything, besides saying something like, You find yourself in a place that feels safe. Look around. What do you see? Is it inside or outside? Feel free to employ a variety of questions, asking about other senses, such as hearing, smell, and so on. Or, make your own set of prompts adapted to the group you are working with. After a few minutes of this visualization, set a timer for each person to share their story—30 to 60 seconds per person. Once the time is up, even if the speaker is in mid-sentence, the next person shares their story. You can also vary this activity but inviting the participants to work in teams and combine their stories, then share with the larger group.

Prejudice in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1769 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Frankenstein Essay Did you like this example? During our species trajectory in the history of our world, prejudice and discrimination have been present. Prejudice can be described as the irrational and adamant attitudes and thoughts that members of a specific group hold about members of another group (Sibley and Duckitt 248). Prejudices can be harmful or positive. Both types of prejudice are usually biased by the individual who holds them and are very difficult to change (Stephan, Cookie and Stephan 33). The harmful forms of prejudices leads to discrimination- unfair behaviors that holders of harmful prejudice direct against the victims of their prejudices (Sibley and Duckitt 251). According to both psychology and sociology, the emotionality that is present in prejudice appears from our subconscious manners that cause an individual to project feelings of hatred onto a target group as a way of warding off such feelings (Sibley and Duckitt 252). This view connects prejudice to low self-esteem. Individuals that acquire low self-esteem boost their feelings of self-worth by hating certain on groups. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Prejudice in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein" essay for you Create order Social science studies have detected a lot of social factors that contribute to prejudice. The first social factor that contributes to prejudice is socialization. Once particular prejudices are held, they are usually passed on amongst the members of a generation and from one generation to the next through socialization (Pettigrew, Thomas and Tropp 922). The second social factor that contributes to the existence of prejudice is conforming behaviors. Usually, holding particular prejudices earn the support of significant others (Stangor 22). Therefore, individuals may hold certain prejudices to follow the opinions of their significant others. The third factor that contributes significantly to prejudice is ethnocentrism. It refers to the tendency of some individuals to rely on their cultural norms and values in evaluating the culture of other people (Oskamp 27). Such ethnocentric tendencies entail stereotypical thinking which serves to advance prejudice. In her novel Frankenstein, Shelly uses the prejudices that Frankenstein and the other characters hold against the creature to reflect how prejudices function in the society and the impacts they have on the victims. The rejection of Frankensteins creature by Frankenstein and other members of the society is a manifestation of how prejudice against objects or individuals who reflect norms other than that which is accepted in the society is instilled through the fear of difference. In psychology, the term refers to the state of representing abnormality (Wright and Lubensky 291). Such an abnormality is viewed as a threat to the social fabric by the members of the society who reflect the accepted norm (Wright and Lubensky 291). Whenever such threats arise, the ideological power structure that prevails at the time usually institute a response. There are two possible responses to such abnormalities. First, the ideological power structure of the time can outrightly reject the threat and destroy it (Navarrete et al. 933). Second, the ideological power structures can render it safe and take it up into the mainstream until the threatening aspects of its existence are diluted so that it replicates the society (Wright and Lubensky 293). Whichever the method used, the societys first response is usually to distance the abnormality through language. That is, the first step towards the assimilation or destruction of anything that threatens normality in the society is usually to label it using disparaging terms and pejorative descriptions (Wright and Baray 225). Frankensteins creature by being unlike from the other members of the society is an exhibition of the other in that society. When Frankenstein and others reject this creature, they present the fear of difference which serves to indoctrinate prejudice against anything that does not conform to the prevailing norms. The societys attempt to distance itself from the creature through language is evidenced in the text by the following quote. Abhorred monster! fiend that thou art! The tortures of hell are too mild a vengeance for thy crimes. Wretched devil! You reproach me with your creation, come on, then, that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed (Shelley 113). In this quote, Frankenstein is distancing himself from the creature by labeling him with pejorative descriptions. From this quote, Frankenstein is exhibiting the societys fear of difference. Since the creature is different, it serves as a threat to normality and must thus be belittled. Whereas the rejection of the creature by its creator and the people it comes into contact with is primarily assumed on the fear and prejudice caused by its hideous appearance which is completely different from the norm, it is also fueled by the atypical mode of its creation. In nearly all societies, ugliness is usually belittled and described using cruel descriptions. The case of this creature is worsened by the mode of its creation which turns it from a mere monster to a devil in the eyes of its creator and the people it comes into contact with. In many societies around the world, fear and suspicion surround alternative methods of reproduction (Wright and Baray 228). This fear and prejudice span the complete range of the worlds religious beliefs. In contemporary society, the fear and suspicion that surround alternative methods of reproduction can be observed on the debate around cloning. Even though there is not yet any cloned creature that can be prejudiced, cloning arouses considerable fear and suspicion which have caused prejudice against the technique. Since this happens in all societies, it is not surprising for the Frankenstein creature to face prejudice and rejection because of the strange method of its creation which is linked to an unnatural process, especially considering in the time period that this novel was written in, people were even less accepting than nowadays. In the creation of the Frankenstein creature, only science was involved. The process of its production, therefore, lacks any aspects of the occult or the supernatural. Science has for long and still continues to be viewed with fear and suspicion by many people who cannot understand the mechanisms by which it operates. The majority of people who view science with fear and suspicion usually think of it as competing for nature. They fear is that somehow, science may outdo nature and come up with stronger and greater things. Such creations of science are threatening since they will not only be different from the norm but will also be superior. In the novel, the uniqueness of the process of the creatures production is shown by the following quote. But where were my friends and relations? No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; or if they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which I distinguished nothing (Shelley 142) In this quote, the creature is wondering why he is not like the others. Unlike the normal human beings, he had no father, mother, or any relations. This made him different, therefore he is presented as a threat to the social fabric and prompting its creators and the individuals it interacted with to reject it. The uniqueness of the creature is further exhibited in the novel by the following quote. I suddenly beheld the figure of a man, at some distance, advancing towards me with superhuman speed. He bounded over the crevices in the ice, among which I had walked with caution; his stature, also, as he approached, seemed to exceed that of man (Shelley 112). In this quote, Frankenstein is expressing the supernatural nature of the creature. His description of the creature serves to reveal the differences between the creature and what is accepted in the society as normal. Whereas Frankenstein had walked amongst the crevices in the ice with great caution, the creature is bounding over them. As the creature approaches him, he realizes that its stature exceeds that of a man. From this description, Frankenstein reveals to readers the abnormalities in the creature which serve to instill fear and prejudice. These differences are the results of science which just as feared by many has created a greater being capable of outdoing humans. The fear and prejudice that results from Frankensteins view of the creature are exhibited in the following quote from the novel. I perceived, as the shape came nearer (sight tremendous and abhorred!) that it was the wretch whom I had created. I trembled with rage and horror, resolving to wait his approach and then close with him in mortal combat (Shelley 112) In this quote, Frankenstein is driven by his fear of the abnormalities of this creature, and he has resolved to fight it to death. When members of the society distance the other- an individual or a thing that manifests attributes other than the accepted norm- through language, they usually aim to create a sense of inferiority in that individual (Hall, Matz and Wood 126). It is this sense of inferiority that will facilitate the assimilation or annihilation of the unique individual. In the novel, Frankenstein and every person that the creature interacts with succeeding in creating a sense of inferiority in the creature. Even though the creature is both intellectually and physically superior to most of these people, he concludes that he is inferior upon comparing himself with them. The sense of inferiority that the prejudice against the creature creates in himself is evidenced in the novel by the following quote. I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me, what was I (Shelley 143)? In this quote, the creature thinks of himself as inferior because he does not resemble any being. This quote reflects the negative impacts of prejudice on the victims. Prejudice usually cultures in the victims a sense of inferiority which may make them want to destroy themselves. Prejudice is an extremely harmful factor that hurts all human societies. In all societies, things are usually judged beforehand, and in most cases, wrong opinions are usually formed based on less important attributes as opposed to the characteristics that matter. In her novel Frankenstein, Shelly opens up the issues of prejudice through the creature. Through the rejection of the creator, Shelly shows that prejudice is caused by fear of difference and causes a sense of inferiority in the victims. Frankenstein and everyone that the creature interacts with reject it based on the differences between its looks and creation process and those of the normal humans. Consequently, the creature develops a sense of inferiority despite being intellectually and physically superior to most of the people it interacted with. Basically, this novel is teaching us readers a lesson that our self-esteem clearly can depend on how people view us, and the individual might be the brightest, but if there are people constantly putting the individual down, the person will feel inferior and not success on its tasks.

Investigation of Hamlets Tragic Flaw that Led to his...

Investigation of Hamlets Tragic Flaw that Led to his Demise William Shakespeares tragedy plays have fascinated people from the time of the renaissance to present modern times. All his tragedy plays are five acts long, and the climax of the play occurs in the third act. In each and every tragedy play there is a tragic hero who bears a tragic flaw. Every tragic hero usually possesses valor characteristics such as bravery, honesty, intelligence, and so on. In the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet the tragic hero is Hamlet. He is an emotionally scarred young man trying to avenge the murder of his father, the king. The ghost of Hamlets father appears to Hamlet, telling him that he was murdered by his†¦show more content†¦From the first act the ghost of Hamlets father appears to Hamlet, telling him that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius. Hamlet ignores this knowledge that he knows, and still wants to prove Claudius guilt. He decides to devise a trap for Claudius, forcing the king to watch a play whose plot closely resembles the murder of Hamlets father. If the king is guilty, Hamlet thinks, Claudius will surely show some visible sign of guilt when he sees his sin re-enacted on stage. Then, Hamlet reasons, he will obtain definitive proof of Claudiuss guilt. The plays the thing, he declares, wherein Ill catch the conscience of the king (II.ii.581-582). All this thinking and obsessing over proving Claudius guilt, again stops him from focussing on his purpose. As a matter a fact, a whole act is used to plot this play out, and even then, the play is not executed until the third act. The third time he procrastinates is during the beginning of the third act. The most famous line in English literature To be, or not to be: that is the question (III.i.56) is declared by Hamlet, and this marks the start of another soliloquy. In this soliloquy again he contemplates suicide and death, to rid his pains of living on earth, similar to the first soliloquy. Basically Hamlet is asking Should I kill myself? .Again he double thinks this question and is not

Blue Sky free essay sample

Did you know that the sky wasnt always blue? The story goes thousands of years back. It all went like this It was Just another day in Aika village. The sky was gray and dim(Put it here or remove it from myth). There werent a lot of people walking around town, and the only sounds heard were the soft autumn wind and rustling leaves. One girl, named A, was sitting alone on a knoll. Every day she hoped for a change in the village, as everything was always dark and gloomy. No bright colors existed, and the village lacked personality. Just then, a boy named Yu approached her. Staring at the sky, huh? Yu asked. Ai was startled by this. She rarely spoke to anyone outside of her family, but she tried to keep calm and answer back. mies. Do you find it boring as well? I feel like something is missing. We will write a custom essay sample on Blue Sky or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Its always been like that, Yu replied. Some people have tried to do something about it, but only one clue was found. Oh? Ai was surprised. What is that clue? It was a small stone tablet, inscribed with ancient writing. It states something about a crystal and a magical wizard. Sounds like someones idea of a Joke, to me at least(Delete). Yu shrugged. An underground unnel had opened up, and Ai and Yu decided to check it out. This is so weird! Ai said. I wonder what could be down here. Maybe this is the prophecy I called a Joke earlier, Yu replied Im starting tot in n kit is real. Ai and Yu explored the tunnel and saw light coming from a room. They peaked in and saw a wizard reciting spells from an ancient book. Do you think we should ask him to bring color into this world? Ai whispered to Yu. mfou do it, you found this place Yu whispered back. Ai and Yu walked into the room. Ai approached the wizard, who was lost in thought. Um excuse me? Ai said to the wizard. Why hello there, what could I help you with? the wizard asked. Ai calmly asked him, Would you please bring color into this world? Everything is so dark and dim; its hard to experience happiness in a world like this. Hm said the wizard. Let me check if there is such a spell. While the wizard looked for the spell, Ai and Yu mumbled to each other. Both were curious abo ut this place, and if color would actually be brought to the world. If it was possible, it would bring about a huge change. Well, the wizard said, miouVe asked me of a mighty big task, and I am unable to fulfill your request. However, I may help a little. I can bring you back one color, but only in one area. Ai remembered the blue crystal, and how much she loved that color. l would like to see the color blue! Ai exclaimed. If it can only be in one place though Ai paused for a moment. This was her chance to bring hope back into the world, and she wanted everyone to rejoice. She wanted everyone to experience this color. l would like the sky to be blue. Ai finally decided. Then it is settled. said the wizard. l will make the sky blue. The wizard mumbled strange phrases, and after a few minutes, the world shook for a quick second. Then, the entire sky was transformed into the color blue. Ai and Yu rushed outside to experience this for themselves. The tunnel quickly disappeared, as did the crystal. But, they didnt mind. They had a gift. Their gift was the sky turning blue. After days went on, Ai noticed changes around her village. People were more cheerful, the crime rate was reduced, and happiness filled air. The blue sky was hope for the future. The blue sky was a sight for everyone. The blue sky was a gift, a gift that couldnt be put into words. It had to be seen to be believed.