Making a Play in a day
Creating a school show is a great way to look at literacy speaking and listening skills, history, arts and crafts as well team work and confidence building. As with most things we have found it is all in the preparation.
Picking a story
When choosing a story a good way to keep everyone engaged we have found is to choose epic adventures as they give you a good scope. This will allow you to have big scenes with lots of characters which will help with casting the numbers. Greek myths, Jungle Book, Around the world in eighty days etc.
Creating a Play
Once you have chosen your story break it down into a sentence or two to get your plot clear in everyones head. Ask the children to do this. Then you all will understand the story you are telling. Next break it into 3-5 scenes. Theatre unlike the short, visual scenes of television and film is normally told through dialogue in longer scenes. The story is moved on by the narration or a new character with’ news’. Also in a Make a play day keep everything happening in one long scene that include movement and music as it makes it easier for the children to remember.
Once you have your scenes, bring in your characters and dialogue. Keep the sentences short and remember the problem is normally you have to much rather than not enough so KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid as they say. You can get the class to write scenes in story, script and storyboard/ cartoon strip style. One final tip with script is never think this is not possible i.e. to have a ship at sea or a horse chase through a forest just write it down and leave it to the director.
Directors Hat
Now you have your script put your director’s hat on. Your job now is to think about how you put together the music, actors, props and scenery to create the moving images that tells your story. Your great advantage is a huge cast who love making things. You may not have an expensive set but you’ve got a big cast. Make that ship having children as a figure head, being the mast with a sail, making the waves with blue and white material etc.
We call this physical theatre which sounds very clever but in fact it is just using ones body to create the story i.e. need a forest for Robin Hood then let’s all be trees and we get to make tree hands as well. Don’t worry most creative work is done when you’re not thinking about it. Ask yourself the question i.e. how can I make it look like an arrow hitting a target and at some point your brain will come up with an answer (Have two children hold the target and push the arrow in from the back.) You can have brain storming sessions with the kids and anybody who will listen. This will help clarify it in your mind.
We find looking at related source materials for inspiration is good as well reading other books, history of the time, art work around the subject, films etc.. When you design your scenes make sure you can see everyone - use heights, benches, chairs, climbing bars, the width of the stage, keep them facing forwards. Use music to create a mode for movement i.e. walking like pirates, frightening chase music. Film and classical are always good sources of inspiration. If you are working with a class you know - find out their talents maybe singing, dancing, magic and incorporate them into the story. The audience wont notice you have crow barred them and you be surprised how it make its into a spectacular.
Rehearsals
Children are natural actors. I normally describe acting as shouting in the evening to give them the idea that it’s good to shout for a change. But the real trick of the actor is being in the imagined moment i.e. hunted down by pirates in a forest (trees courtesy of the class) I describe the circumstances and act it out as I do. You describe it in the first person as the character will see and feel it. With lines I always say they are not important that the narrator will give them the line if they forget and to make one up if they want.
Part of the benefit of making the whole show in a day is that it becomes an event that focuses their minds and that can store the lines and movement in their short term memory. It is always better to rehearse in as close to performance conditions as possible. i.e. in the hall facing the right way with the music set and props as the will be. Let them run through without interruptions as this will allow them to get the chain of events. It is tempting to prompt or say speak louder, or stop talking but if you let them run through and then give them notes after it makes it easier for our minds to form a chain of events.
Dress rehearsal
When the show time comes allow time, if you can, for a dress rehearsal. This needs to be a full run through with all the props, set and music with no interruptions and then give notes. Normally, these are the moments of darkness when you think they haven’t been in the same room as you; don’t worry Doctor Theatre will sort this out.
The performance
The great thing about live performance is it does focus the mind wonderfully. Don’t be afraid to invite the whole school and parents. You will be amazed how the show takes over once they get the first laugh. Yes, comedy is always a great inspirer for children as you know they love to make people laugh. It doesn’t have be slap stick it can be a clever use of the set or surprise twist even better if get the grown ups to laugh.
About Our make a Play Days
For more details about any of our make a play days please click on any story you fancy or for more general information click here - Splats Make a Play
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Our production toured the county in 2005 to great success. This was our first make a play day and is still one of the favourites. Written in 1908 it is of course the books 100th anniversary so a great time to bring it to life at your school. This Play day is perfect for all ages and works well with infants and nursery.
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Ahhhaaaaargh me hearties!!!!!!!!! What can you say about Robert Louis Stevensons classic book. A vibrant, funny show that we have had amazing success with. Children playing pirates - well you can't go far wrong Jim Lad . . . aaaaarghhh (By the way Why are pirates called pirates - Cos they arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh) - Great for all ages but particularly Yrs 4 - 6
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Robin Hood is famous for robbing the rich to feed the poor. A story which has changed throughout the ages and one which children love. Funny and action packed to say the least! Great for all ages but particularly Yrs 4 - 6
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New for 2010 - the pupils make their very own circus show
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This show written by Director of Splats Steve Richards is original and great fun. The Bungarooo lands in the middle of the school playground and spread colour and joy across the land. A very exciting opportunity for pupils to be part of something unique and brand new. This Play day is perfect for all ages and works well with infants and nursery.
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PERFECT FOR BOOK WEEKS INVITE PARENTS ALONG AND MAKE IT A REAL COMMUNITY EVENT.
Also available make a play weeks and special show days where we can put on an evening performance for parents.
"The children enjoyed the day thoroughly. The information pack that was sent beforehand was very useful as staff knew what was happening and what they needed to do. Mark was brilliant with the children; he directed them carefully and encouraged them along the way. The performance at the end of the day was very successful. The Yr 5’s enjoyed performing the show and the rest of the Upper School enjoyed watching it. Thank you very much for doing such a brilliant job!"
To view our make a play day recommendations please click on the link below.
Play Recommendations
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