*To do this exercise, use the scene from Out of Bounds (included).
A different scene may be used, however is important to choose a scene where there is obvious conflict so the student actors are working to solve a problem.
Summary: Students write and perform their own conclusion to a scene about conflict between young people.
Target grades: 6th and above
Time needed: 40 minutes
Connections to Bullying: Strategies for effective conflict resolution, understanding different points of view (why people behave as they do)
Materials needed: photocopies of the original scene (one page); writing materials
Instructions:
This can be done as a written exercise or as an improvisation.
- Divide students into small groups. The number of students should correspond to number of characters in the scene so every student has a role.
- Give each group the first page of the scene. Each group can be working on the same scene, or you may choose different ones. Each group must finish the scene. (Note: Challenge them to make the transition from the written scene to the new material seamless.)
For groups who are writing:
- After they have written the ending, rehearse and perform the scene for their classmates.
For groups who are improvising:
- The group can plan how they think the scene should end and then improvise the rest of the scene. After, they can talk about what worked and what didn’t and revise what they did.
- After every group has performed, discuss why each group made the choices they did and what they observed in the other groups. What is the best way for the characters to handle the conflict in the scene?
