Twisted Tweens: Drama Class #5

What is your objective?

Over and over, I ask the students this question. “What do you want?” “What is it that you're trying to get?” They have this pretty well nailed down. Yesterday, I (actually, the Instructor) tried to get them to obtain their objectives.

“Do you remember what you want?” the Instructor asked, shoving them up in front of the squirmy, makeshift audience (though they focus relatively well when they act, their attention wanders when they have to sit and watch their classmates act). The Instructor wanted them to improvise a scene in which their objective was right in front of them – along with an obstacle – and they, of course, would try to reach their objective.

There was one problem. They already had a storyline planned out. Instead of using intentions or tactics to reach their objective, they merely used the story. “And now we do this...” someone would say, and – ta-da! – everything worked out. To prevent this, the Instructor added more complications, but, though it improved, they still weren't grasping the concept of using tactics to overcome the obstacles.

Suddenly, Rachelle (who plays the character of Isabelle) blew the Instructor away. She wanted respect. This was her objective. She did not get any respect, especially from the king of the castle, who made her do a lot of cleaning and cooking. She didn't do what the Instructor expected her to try in this situation. But she did do something – something that seemed very logical after she did it. In the midst of a chaotic scene (some other characters were onstage, too) she tricked the king into giving up his throne to someone else. She tricked the king! She used a tactic, intention or whatever you want to call it. But she did it! The Instructor and I were very proud.

Thank you for reading. Have a pleasant spring week.

Zachary W.

P.S. I learned that Rachelle is actually eight years old! Therefore, I officially have a Tween in my class!