Brigham Young University's Theatre Education Database

Show a clip from Freaky Friday (Anna is leaving detention and drops her books, and Anna and mom face off about her being in detention.) Ask students to take out a piece of paper. Tell students to watch the body language, specifically what they do with their hands. They should write at least 4 things from each clip that they see.

· Instruction - Ask the students, do you ever not know what to do with your hands in some situations? Discuss with the class when it is awkward to use their hands.
o When they are talking to somebody they like
o When they are in trouble
o When they are in front of people or on stage
Talk about some situations where using hand can be distracting
- biting nails
- playing with jewelry
- playing with hair

· Modeling - Tell the students that on stage, hands communicate and they draw attention. Go through list of gestures demonstrating them as you go.
o Neutral: Hands and arms hanging at sides
o Hands in fists on hips: anger, power, authority
o Hands on hips with hands relaxed or in front: comfort, open
o Crossing arms in front of body: coldness, closed off, not listening
o Hands behind back: hiding something, ashamed
o Hands by head: thinking, or thinking through a problem, tired
o Hands by heart or chest area: emotion, love

· Guided Practice - have student break into partnerships and choose out of a hat an improv situation. Instruct them to come up with a short scene in which they cannot talk but must use their body to communicate a problem.

· Checking for Understanding - Have the student perform their silent scenes.

Discuss what the student have learned by: Reviewing gestures, asking what was difficult or easy about the skits, and how they can improve on making their gestures clearer.