Building a visual scene with props

Recommended time: 45 minutes

Outcomes

• Students will be able to create a scene design model based on an idea and text with the materials and resources available to them.

Objectives

• Demonstrate the creative process of props in space.
• Demonstrate the creative process of using props in space.
• Utilise elements available to create an environment appropriate to the characters and action of the scene.
• Demonstrate intuition and perception of mood based on the textual stimulus.
• Practice basic scenic model placement and incorporation into space.

Activity 1: Watch and think

In this activity, students will watch this video to find out more about how a Production Manager creates magic on stage. Answer the questions below.

1. Who is Evelyn and what does she do at the Esplanade?

2. What is her main role as the Production Manager?

3. From the video, what are some of the things that she needed to do as a Production Manager?

4. What do you think makes Evelyn’s job exciting?

Download and refer to Handout 5: Educator’s Notes on Building a Visual Scene for suggested answers.

Activity 2: The quest for the magic potion quiz

In this activity, students will imagine what it is like to be a Props Manager for a Theatre Company and complete the following quiz.

Get students to refer to Handout 1: Props Handout. Give the following instructions.

Imagine that you are the Props Manager of a theatre company that will be staging a show called The Quest for the Magic Potion. Answer the questions either individually or as a class.

1. How many characters do you see in front of you?

a. 12
b. 3
c. 5

2. How many props do you see in front of you?

a. 9
b. 4
c. 14

3. How many different types of props do you see in front of you?

a. 6
b. 5
c. 3

Cut out the props along the dotted lines. Fold the base of the props so that individual props are able to stand on their own. Arrange the props from the biggest to the smallest, leaving the characters out from your arrangement.

4. Which prop is the biggest?

a. Castle
b. Boulder
c. Flowers

5. Which prop is the smallest?

a. Flowers
b. Rainbow
c. Tree

6. How many props are taller than the Elves?

a. 7
b. 4
c. 2

7. How many props are smaller than the Castle?

a. 7
b. 6
c. 8

Activity 3: If you were a Production Manager...

In this activity, students will collaborate on two tasks related to the stage layout of props to build a scene.

Get students into groups and distribute Handout 2: Stage Layout. Each pair/group to have one stage layout. Place the stage layout on the table. Assign the following tasks:

Task 1

Which props would you use to create a scenery of an Enchanted Forest on stage? Place these props on the Stage Layout and share with your partners on why you have chosen to do so.

Task 2

Which props would you use to create a scenery of a Mysterious Castle on stage? Place these props on the Stage Layout and share with your partners on why you have chosen to do so.

Activity 4: Opening stage directions

In this activity, students will create a scene for stage from the opening stage direction for The Quest for the Magic Potion.

Get students to refer to Handout 3: Opening Stage Directions. Read the opening stage directions for The Quest for the Magic Potion aloud (individually or to class).

Using the props provided, create the scene for The Quest for the Magic Potion. Share and discuss with your peers on your decisions to place the props.

Get students to think about the general guiding questions and spatial guiding questions below when creating the scene.

General guiding questions:

a. Which part of the scene would you build first?

b. Where would you place the WIZARD on the stage? From which part of the stage did he enter from?

c. How far is the WIZARD from the magical castle? Where would you place the Magical Castle?

d. What is in between the WIZARD and the magical castle?

e. Where would you place the boulders?

f. Where would you place the ELVES?

Spatial guiding questions:

g. How have you fully utilised the entire stage space?

h. Are there empty spaces and gaps in the space?

i. Will the audience be able to see everything on the stage?

Optional Activities

1. Colouring prop items

Students may spend time colouring the props. Some guiding questions for teachers:

a. What colours would you use for the different props?
b. How have the colours created the mood and atmosphere for:

i. The Magical Castle?
ii. The Enchanted Forest?

2. Using measurements to calculate distance (Recommended for Mathematics class)

Refer to Handout 4: Measuring Distance

Use a measuring tape or a ruler. Students may calculate the distance between the various props, such as:

a. Between the Wizard and the Enchanted Castle
b. Between the Wizard and the Elves
c. The distance between the three trees

3. Add your own prop items

Students may add additional prop items by drawing and cutting on a separate piece of paper.

Additional props that the students may include in the scene, but not limited, to are:

a. The River the Wizard has just crossed
b. Other Features of the Enchanted Castle

Students should be able to justify their choices.