Creating Moods on Stage

Description

This exercise involves three or more players on stage and two or more backstage crew members. The team selects a slip of paper which contains a 'Where' location and must create the corresponding mood.

Players can agree on their Who and What characters or let them evolve naturally as the scene unfolds. The scene begins with backstage crew providing sound and lighting effects to enhance the mood, while on-stage players contribute through their performance.

Setup Requirements

Slips of paper with various 'Where' locations, lighting equipment, sound equipment, and an open stage area.

Point of Concentration

To create the mood of the Where through technical effects and on-stage player responses.

Side Coaching

Encourage players to respond genuinely to the mood created by the technical effects.
Remind the backstage crew to communicate clearly with the on-stage players.
Focus on the atmosphere; subtlety can be more effective than overt actions.

Points of Observation

Note which players allow the effects to guide their performances.
Watch for distractions that detract from the overall mood.
Observe how well the technical effects align with the players' actions.

Evaluation

Did the lighting and sound effects effectively set the mood?
Did the on-stage players enhance or detract from the mood created?

Examples

In a dark, rainy mood, players might enter with cautious movements, reacting to the sound of thunder.
For a cheerful picnic setting, players could laugh and playfully interact as upbeat music plays.