Developing Character in a Play Cultural and Creative Arts Primary 5 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 10

Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: Primary 5
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Topic: Developing Character in a Play
Sub-topic: Understanding character development and basic tools of an actor
Duration: 45 minutes

Entry Behaviour: Students should be able to recall previous lessons on acting and express interest in learning more about developing characters in a play.

Key Words: Acting, character development, actor, body language, voice exercises

Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the process of developing their part in a play.
2. Identify and describe basic tools of an actor.
3. Demonstrate body and voice exercises to improve acting skills.

Embedded Core Skills: Communication skills, critical thinking, creativity

Learning Materials: Lagos State Scheme of Work, Cultural and Creative Textbook Book 5, cardboard with inscription in Arabic text, audio device, visual aids

Reference Books: Lagos State Scheme of Work, Cultural and Creative Textbook Book 5

Instructional Materials: Cardboard with pictures of popular actors , visual aids

Content:

1. Revision of previous topic: Briefly discuss what students remember about acting and role-playing from previous lessons.
2. Introduction of new topic: Explain the concept of developing character in a play and its importance in making performances more convincing.
3. Explanation of character development: Break down the process of understanding and developing a character, including researching the character’s background, motivations, and emotions.
4. Discussion of basic tools of an actor: Identify and describe key tools such as body language, facial expressions, voice modulation, and emotional expression.
5. Demonstration of body and voice exercises: Lead students in practicing simple exercises to improve their body language and vocal range, such as stretching, breathing exercises, and vocal warm-ups.

Developing Character in a Play:

1. Understanding Your Character:
   • Learn about your character’s background, personality, and motivations.
   • Example: If you’re playing the role of a brave knight, understand what makes them courageous and noble. 🛡️
2. Creating Backstory:
   • Imagine events from your character’s past that shape who they are.
   • Example: If your character is a scientist, think about their childhood experiments and discoveries. 🔬
3. Physical Expression:
   • Use body language to convey your character’s emotions and traits.
   • Example: A confident character might stand tall and gesture boldly, while a shy character might fidget and avoid eye contact. 💃
4. Voice Work:
   • Experiment with different tones, accents, and speech patterns to find your character’s voice.
   • Example: A villain might speak with a deep, menacing voice, while a fairy could have a light, airy tone. 🗣️
5. Emotional Connection:
   • Tap into your own emotions to bring authenticity to your character.
   • Example: If your character is sad, think about a time when you felt similar sadness and use that feeling in your performance. 😢
6. Rehearsal:
   • Practice your character’s lines and movements until they feel natural.
   • Example: Run through scenes with your fellow actors to develop chemistry and timing. 🎭
7. Feedback and Adjustment:
   • Listen to feedback from your director and fellow actors and make adjustments as needed.
   • Example: If someone suggests that your character seems too angry, try toning down your expressions and voice. 🔄
8. Staying in Character:
   • Stay focused and committed to your character throughout the performance.
   • Example: Even when you’re not speaking, continue to embody your character’s traits and reactions. 🎬
9. Building Relationships:
   • Develop connections with other characters to enhance the dynamics of the play.
   • Example: If your character is best friends with another character, show warmth and camaraderie in your interactions. 👫
10. Enjoyment and Creativity:
    • Have fun exploring your character and bringing them to life on stage.
    • Example: Use your imagination to add unique touches to your character’s portrayal and make the performance memorable. 🎉

Class Activity Discussion about Developing Character in a Play:

1. What does it mean to develop a character in a play?
   • Developing a character means understanding who they are, how they think, and how they behave in the story.
2. How can I develop my part in a play?
   • You can develop your part by learning about your character’s background, practicing their lines and movements, and exploring their emotions.
3. What are some ways to understand my character better?
   • You can understand your character better by reading the script carefully, discussing your character with your teacher or director, and imagining what your character’s life is like outside of the play.
4. Why is it important to know my character’s backstory?
   • Knowing your character’s backstory helps you understand why they act the way they do and makes your performance more believable.
5. What are some basic tools of an actor?
   • Basic tools of an actor include body language, voice, facial expressions, and emotions.
6. How can I improve my body language for my character?
   • You can improve your body language by practicing different gestures and movements that reflect your character’s personality and emotions.
7. What are voice exercises for actors?
   • Voice exercises for actors include warm-up exercises to improve vocal range, articulation exercises to enhance clarity, and projection exercises to increase volume.
8. Why is it important for actors to perform voice exercises?
   • Voice exercises help actors speak clearly, express emotions effectively, and project their voices so they can be heard by the audience.
9. How can I make my character’s voice sound different?
   • You can make your character’s voice sound different by changing the pitch, tone, and speed of your speech, as well as using accents or dialects if appropriate for the character.
10. What should I do if I feel nervous about performing my character?
    • If you feel nervous, try taking deep breaths, practicing relaxation techniques, and focusing on your character’s motivations and emotions to help calm your nerves.

Evaluation :

1. Understanding your character means ____________. a) knowing their favorite color b) learning about their background and personality c) practicing your lines only d) skipping rehearsals
2. To develop your part in a play, you should ____________. a) read the script once b) ignore your character’s emotions c) learn about your character’s background and practice their lines d) avoid discussing your character with others
3. Basic tools of an actor include ____________. a) body language, voice, and facial expressions b) math skills and science knowledge c) cooking abilities d) drawing and painting techniques
4. Voice exercises for actors help improve ____________. a) vocal range and articulation b) dancing skills c) swimming techniques d) reading speed
5. Why is it important to understand your character’s backstory? a) It’s not important b) It helps you understand their actions and behaviors c) It makes the play shorter d) It doesn’t affect your performance
6. What are some ways to improve body language for your character? a) By practicing different gestures and movements b) By avoiding movement altogether c) By speaking louder d) By standing still on stage
7. What are some basic tools of an actor? a) Only voice b) Body language and facial expressions c) Reading skills d) Typing speed
8. Voice exercises for actors help with ____________. a) speaking clearly and expressing emotions effectively b) running faster c) singing loudly d) dancing gracefully
9. How can you make your character’s voice sound different? a) By speaking softly b) By changing the pitch and tone of your speech c) By using the same voice for every character d) By whispering
10. What should you do if you feel nervous about performing your character? a) Ignore your feelings b) Take deep breaths and focus on your character’s motivations c) Give up on acting d) Talk loudly to yourself

Presentation:

• Step 1: Revision – Recap previous lessons on  Impersonation
• Step 2: Introduction – Introduce the concept of developing character in a play and its significance.
• Step 3: Explanation – Break down the process of character development and discuss basic tools of an actor.
• Step 4: Demonstration – Lead students in practicing body and voice exercises to enhance their acting skills.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Guide students through the lesson content and activities.
• Provide examples and demonstrations to clarify concepts.
• Encourage active participation and discussion.

Learners Activities:

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanations.
• Participate in discussions and share their thoughts on character development.
• Engage in practical exercises to improve acting skills.

Assessment:

• Observe students’ participation and engagement during discussions and activities.
• Evaluate students’ understanding through oral questioning and practical demonstrations.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is the importance of developing character in a play?
2. Can you name three basic tools of an actor?
3. How can body language enhance a character’s portrayal?
4. What are voice exercises used for in acting?
5. Why is it important for actors to understand their character’s motivations?
6. Describe one body exercise you can use to improve your acting skills.
7. How can facial expressions convey emotions in a play?
8. Name one Nigerian actor and actress you admire and explain why.
9. How can understanding a character’s background help an actor?
10. What is the difference between acting and impersonation?

Conclusion:

• Review key points covered in the lesson.
• Provide feedback on students’ performance during activities.
• Assign homework or further practice exercises if necessary.