Blind Exercise

Exercise Intermediate 30 min 4–12

Description

This exercise encourages actors to break their reliance on sight, enhancing their skills in listening and spatial awareness. By focusing fully on their surroundings, participants develop a deeper connection with their fellow actors and the stage environment.

Actors must follow through on actions, ensuring physical contact and interaction. For example, if one actor offers tea, they must find the other actor to hand it over, creating a dynamic of awareness and engagement.

Setup Requirements

Space to move around, props like hats and bags.

Point of Concentration

Total bodily awareness

Side Coaching

Encourage full physical awareness while moving.
Remind actors to justify their actions if they fail to connect.
Foster spontaneous interactions rather than rehearsed moves.

Points of Observation

Watch for physical interactions among actors.
Note how well actors justify their actions.
Observe the spontaneous use of space and props.

Evaluation

What did you feel more attuned to during the exercise?
How did your character's awareness affect your interactions?
What challenges did you face in connecting with others?

Examples

1. An actor offers a handshake from offstage, expecting the other actor to notice.

2. An actor pretends to search for an item in a room while discussing its features.

3. Actors navigate a space filled with props, justifying their movements based on what they 'see'.