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Theater Games for the Classroom

DRAMATIC WALKING
An Arts Integrated Theater Game

Notes:
 
Dramatic Walking is an excellent and very accessible way to get youth experiencing imagination and expression with their whole body.  It is especially easy to adapt dramatic walking activities to academic content areas. The creative potential of walking through different environments, situations, moods, or historical events makes this a valuable arts integration teaching resource.  It is often really entertaining  - and illuminating. 

Object of the Game:

To walk though different imagined environments, situations, moods, and/or historical events, as if one is really there. 

Recommended for Groups in Grades K – Adult

Skills Development:

  • Creative imagination
  • Observation
  • Physical awareness
  • Self awareness within a group
  • Self control
  • Spatial awareness

“The games we played were so much fun. They took imagination and creativity, focus and self-control. We had a hard time at the beginning, but at the end we all did fabulous, because you taught us how to do it.”
~ 5th grade student, Holyoke

Time Needed:  10 – 20 minutes

How To Play: 

This game can be played with all sorts of imaginative prompts, either in a random walk format or a circle style, depending on whether you’re interested in the participants observing each other or maintaining a more inward focus.

  • In a circle format, have the group count off by fours (1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4), so that the ones move as a group, as the others watch, and so on. 
  • In a random walk formation, you can break the group into movers and watchers, or have all participants move at the same time. 
  • In either case, the movers explore walking through changing prompts as suggested by the facilitator.

For example, ask participants to experience walking through WEATHER…
  • In a blustery snowstorm.
  • Through a scorching hot desert.
  • In the pouring rain.
  • In a windstorm at the beach, etc.
Ask participants to experience walking on different SURFACES…
  • On broken glass with sandals.
  • On a hot sidewalk with bare feet.
  • On very slippery ice.
  • On pavement that’s covered with worms after a rain.
  • On carpet, after stepping on a wad of gum, etc.

Ask participants to experience walking through different LOCATIONS…
  • Into a movie theater after the movie’s already started.
  • In a mall on a busy Saturday.
  • Down a dark alley, alone at night.
  • Into a hospital to visit a friend after surgery.
  • Through the gate at Six Flags Amusement Park.

Be sure to come back together to discuss the experience.  Some guiding questions might include:

  • What did you have to do to be able to succeed at this exercise?
  • Were some dramatic walk activities more challenging than others to feel?  Why?
  • Were you able to use a memory to know what it’s like to walk on ice, or did you need to invent the experience?  
  • Were there moments that seemed particularly realistic?  Moments you really enjoyed watching? If you were to do this activity again, what would you keep and how might you improve your performance?

Download a pdf of the complete Dramatic Walking Game.