ArtsWork - Drama & Theatre Source Book

Introduction
Drama/Theatre
Plays
Playwriting/Screenwriting
	Character Game Character from History Scenarios Sceenplay Dialogue Examples 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Infanta Little Princess
Theatre Artists Work Together

Acting
	Warm-Ups Improvisation Examples Improvisation Starters
Scene Design/ Environment
	Environment Intro Making an Environment Setting Collage Floor Plan Props Finding Props Costume Renderings

Directing

Criticism & Audience
	Creating the Play Designing the Play Performing the Play Seeing the Play/ Movie
Storytelling
	Examples & Outline Practicing your story
Dance
	Careers Warm-Up
Pageant
Puppet Show
Tableau
Teachers Guide

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Scenarios

A scenario is the written outline of a play. As a playwright, decide on what characters you want in your play. Decide what the characters are like. How old are they? What do they usually do in a day? How do they know the other characters in your play? What do they want? (What is their motivation?)

Decide on what kind of a problem you’d like the characters to have. Remember you and your classmates will be acting out the play so choose a problem that is “doable.” Some action might need to have stunt men for jumping, falling and fighting—and that is not quite where we are yet.

Where will your play take place? What is its setting?

Try to be as original as possible. Use your own ideas as you write your scenario. Include:

Characters (and a short description of each one):
Setting:
Problem and incidents, what the characters do to solve the problems or other problems that they have to solve

Here is an example from, Joshua, a third grader.

Title: Teaching Reading in Old Tempe

Characters:

Mrs. Jones, the new teacher. She’s kind, but she feels
uneasy about this new town. She doesn’t like
teaching in a bar.
The Constable, he cares about the people in his town.
Mr. Tyler, an old man who isn’t well dressed.
Clara and Tina, two young students

Setting: a bar in Old Tempe. There is a blackboard and
a bench for the students. (The citizens didn’t have the time or money to build a school since the town was so new.)

Problem: Mr. Tyler appears. He startles the new teacher, but asks if she will teach him how to read.

How it starts: The constable shows Miss Jones her new schoolroom. She is surprised. The Constable promises to sit in on the class to prevent any problems.

What happens then, the incidents:

The next day, Tina and Clara arrive and start talking about their new school and new teacher. The Constable is dozing in the corner.
Miss Jones arrives and the class starts.
Mr. Tyler marches in. He scares Miss Jones. She screams.
The Constable comes over and quiets down Miss Jones. He asks Mr. Tyler why he is there. Mr. Tyler says he came to learn how to read.

Ending: Miss Jones is surprised and pleased. She gives Mr. Tyler a book. He sits and the lesson continues.

Print Scenario Form
Now try your own scenario.
Scenario, by ____________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________

Characters: ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Problem: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Setting: ______________________________________________

How It Starts: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________

What Happens Next, the Incidents:
1. ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

(Write on the back if you need more space))

How It Ends: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________

After you have written your scenario, let two other people read it .

Ask them these questions:

Are my characters interesting? When and when not?
Is my setting a logical place for the play to take place?
Is the problem something the audience wants to know more about? Does the problem fit the characters and setting? When and when not?
Does the ending fit the characters and the problem? Why or why not?

Is there anything you’d like to change about your scenario? If so, do so.

Then it is time to improvise your drama—or write the dialogue and stage directions.


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