The drama experience

 

Creating performing arts experiences based off of cultures in Antarctica had to be explored through a differentiating way compared to the musical and dance experiences. As there is no human cultural background in Antarctica, the educator is to present the children with a question to begin the experience. Is there any performing arts culture in Antarctica?

The educator and the children can discuss this as a class, writing any ideas on the smart board. The educator can show this clip from the movie 'Happy Feet':

• Happy Feet two opening medely - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51iW9-HAq2Q

 

After watching the clip, some focus questions to ask the children are:

• Do you believe this is something that Penguins or any other animal in Antarctica does?

• What do you think they do differently?

 

The educator can then show the children this clip of animal cultures in Antarctica:

• Emperor Penguins of the Antactic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7M686pXr6M

• Weddell seals of Antarctica - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFeu_LZQr4Y

 

After watching the YouTube clip, ask the children to think about the different videos they have watched about the animals of Antarctica before explaining the layout of the classroom and the drama elements that they will be engaging in while exploring the experiences around the classroom.

The various experiences set up around the classroom allow the children to unearth different elements of drama. The educator can also explain and discuss the main elements of drama being focused on within these experiences:

1. Role and Character: identification and portrayal of a person’s values, attitudes, intentions and actions as imagined relationships, situations and ideas in dramatic action; role focus on type and stereotype; characters are detailed and specific,

2. Movement: using facial expression, posture and action expressively in space and time to create roles, situations, relationships, atmosphere and symbols and

3. Tension: sense of anticipation or conflict within characters or character relationships, or problems, surprise and mystery in stories and ideas to propel dramatic action and create audience engagement.

The children are then free to explore the environment either in rotation or residing at a particular activity they like. The teacher will scaffold around the classroom and help the children design, create, explore, and play.