1. What is a tableau?
In a tableau, participants make still images with
their bodies to represent a scene. A tableau can be used to quickly
establish a scene that involves a large number of characters. Because
there is no movement, a tableau is easier to manage than a whole-group
improvisation – yet can easily lead into extended drama activities. It
can be used to explore a particular moment in a story or drama, or to
replicate a photograph or artwork for deeper analysis.
Performance 2 will be a tableau
2. Tableaux - what is it?
https://www.thoughtco.com/introducing-tableau-to-students-3938471
3. Tableaux Vivants - Caravaggio paintings performed live
Watch video and discuss
Performance 2 will be a tableau
2. Tableaux - what is it?
https://www.thoughtco.com/introducing-tableau-to-students-3938471
3. Tableaux Vivants - Caravaggio paintings performed live
Watch video and discuss
4. Warm-up
Name: Silent Negotiations Purpose: Collaboration
• What are some ways we can communicate with each other without talking?
• Be aware of the ways you collaborate with your group.
Collaboration means 1. You communicate your own ideas, but you also listen to other people. How do you “listen” when someone isn’t talking?
2. You compromise with one another.
3. You incorporate each other’s input and feedback.
Task 1: In groups of 3-5 (in complete silence) you will create a tableaux:
- Letters of the alphabet A, B, C, D
Then I will say: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Freeze
5. Tableaux check list
Statue: Individual facial expression and body shape/gesture
• Use whole face and body
• Show character
• Show action (body)
• Show emotion (face)
Levels and depth
• Low/medium/high, left/right/center, downstage, upstage, near/far
• Three dimensional use of stage or playing space
Character and spatial relationships/connections
• Eye contact or point of focus
• Physical contact, using positive or negative space (touching or not touching)
• Proximity or distance
Open to the audience (cheat out)
• Audience awareness
• Make sure all actors can be seen (no blocking—use levels & depth)
