Drama
How to read the stories

Drama

Why do people start acting?

People start acting for many reasons. So what about you? It could be that you want to make friends, do something fun, or grow in confidence. You may have dreams of becoming famous one day or simply want to perform in a play on a real stage. Perhaps someone has recommended joining a drama group, or like Dean, you may have been inspired by some actors on stage or screen.

Different kinds of acting

There are many different kinds of acting and drama styles. From comedy and improvisations to melodrama or Shakespeare, you’re sure to find something which suits you. Many drama groups will explore a range of acting styles depending on the play. Sometimes you will be trying to make everything realistic, drawing on your own life experiences, but then at other times you may just have to use your imagination.

The importance of backstage roles

Drama groups need lots of different kinds of people, not just budding actors. A play couldn’t go on without the lights, props, costumes, music or direction.

Directors and assistant directors pull the whole show together, running the rehearsals and making important decisions. Technicians operate light and sound, set designers build the stage and make-up artists make actors look their best. They can age or disguise them too. Stage managers like Dean are crucial for finding and organising props and making sure actors know what’s happening off stage, and they often need an assistant. These roles are just the tip of the iceberg; there are many other people that help to pull a show together: costume designers, stage hands, artists and ushers, to name a few.

Building confidence, making friends

Drama and theatre have long been known to boost confidence and build self-esteem. They have an amazing power to help those who have difficulties in social contexts to relate to one another, providing a platform on which friendships and bonds are formed.

Through the use of theatre games and warm ups, we learn to be more comfortable and trusting of those around us, sharing in the special experiences which occur in the safety net of our drama group.

Ice-breakers are a wonderful way to begin a drama session, getting us used to each other. For example they can encourage eye contact which someone might find too daunting in another context, thus paving the way for the ‘real’ acting or role plays to occur.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
• Who do you think that is?
• What is happening?
• How is he or she feeling?
• Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.