• 4.1.2 improvises and playbuilds through group-devised processes.
• 4.2.3 explores and uses aspects of dramatic forms, performance styles, theatrical conventions and technologies to create dramatic meaning.
• 4.3.1 identifies and describes elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and conventions in drama.

• 5.1.2 contributes, selects, develops and structures ideas in improvisation and playbuilding.
• 5.2.3 employs a variety of dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques, theatrical conventions and technologies to create dramatic meaning.
• 5.3.1 responds to, reflects on and evaluates elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques and theatrical conventions.

Literacy.

Students will:

1. review Greek theatre Chorus handout (PDF 3.09 MB)
2. as a class, discuss where they might have seen a chorus before and discuss any unfamiliar words.

Scatter key terms and definition cards (PDF 3.11 MB) on the floor throughout the classroom.

Students will:

1. review the words and definitions provided on the cards
2. work in small groups to match the appropriate terms and definitions
3. when matched correctly as per the table below, place key terms and definitions next to each other on the classroom wall so they can be used throughout the unit of work

• discuss any new or unfamiliar terms with students modelling fluency and pronunciation
• students copy definitions and words into their books as a 'glossary' that can be used throughout the unit.

A core feature of the chorus in Greek Theatre is the ability to move as one distinct unit. The following movement-based tasks allow students to explore different ways they might use choral movement as a theatrical device.

• Stand in a single line of 4-8 people with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Playing gentle instrumental music in this task is optional.
• Begin to walk around the room, focusing on moving in unison. They should focus on using the same leg, looking in the same direction and maintain the same distance with the person in front of them.
• Swap leaders and encourage them to begin 'snaking' around the room. Play with:
  • tempo
  • add stops
  • starts
  • twists
  • and turns into their movement.
• Remove their hands from the person's shoulders, following the person in front of them while maintaining the same distance, without touching, using the same leg, and looking in the same direction.

1. Stand in two parallel lines. They place their outer arm on the shoulder of the person in front of them and their arm on the inside of the two lines on the shoulder of the next to them.
2. Walk around the room, focusing on moving in unison. They should focus on using the same leg, looking in the same direction and maintaining the same distance with the person in front, behind and next to them.
3. Swap leaders and encourage them to begin 'snaking' around the room. Encourage them to play with tempo and add stops, starts, twists and turns into their movement.
4. Remove their hands from the person's shoulders in front of them and begin to move around the room. Focusing on the same leg, looking in the same direction and maintain the same distance with the person in front, behind and next to them, continue to move around the room in unison.

1. Divide students into pairs and ask them to find a space in the room.
2. Ask each pair decide who is performer A and who is performer B.
3. Pairs stand facing one another in a neutral position, making eye contact.
4. As Player B begins moving, A is to mirror B's actions exactly. Both players should maintain eye contact, and monitor each other's movement using their peripheral vision.
5. Encourage slow and sustained movements, to begin with, simple actions like brushing teeth or playing a sport in slow motion.
6. After a short period, ask students to switch leaders.
7. Eventually, pairs can be encouraged to switch back and forth between leaders on their own or to try and work together where neither person is leading.

The object of the activity is for the group to look like they are moving as one. All movement should be improvised. This activity can be done with or without music.

1. Stand in groups of four in a diamond formation. All students should be facing the same direction and have enough room to stretch out without touching each other.
2. The individual at the front tip of the diamond will perform an action, lead everyone in the controlled movement. The remainder of the will group follow or mirror the leader.
3. If and when the leader shifts direction from the front to the side of the room and is facing another wall, the control of the movement shifts to the person now at the front of the diamond.
4. Encourage students to aim for fluid transitions between leaders.

To warm students up and introduce them to the concept of a canon, ask students to participate in the following task. Before beginning, it is a good idea to reiterate the meaning of canon and gestural movement using the definitions that were placed on the classroom wall during task one.

1. Stand in a circle.
2. Start off with a gesture.
3. Perform the gesture, followed by the other students copying it in a canon manner around the circle.
4. Explain that the essential element of a canon is the use rhythm and timing.
5. Pass the gesture around the circle again, this time focusing on timing and maintaining a steady rhythm.
6. Continue exploring canon, add a gesture to the original movement each time it goes around the circle until you form a phrase of movements.
7. Pairing up with the person next to them in the circle, find a quite space in the room. As an ensemble, they are to explore canon using the same phrase of movement and order of students as in the circle, however, this time they are using different spatial relationships and formations.

As a class watch the Prologue from Beauty and the Beast.

Students will:

1. in small groups of three to six, create a short performance to the prologue from Beauty and the Beast script with a focus on speaking in chorus, they are encouraged to experiment with the following techniques:
   1. choral moments
   2. solo moments
   3. pitch
   4. tempo
   5. canon
   6. repetition.
2. ask students to add gestural movement, locomotive movement and music.

1. Review by discussion the chorus techniques covered over the previous exercises.
2. Provide students with a newspaper article OR ask them to bring one in before this lesson.
3. Students will use the newspaper article as the stimulus to devise a performance that uses a chorus.
4. Allocate students with some time (depending on the length of performance, this may take a few lessons) to devise and rehearse the performance.
5. After a short period ask students to form an audience take a turn at presenting their performances to the class.
6. As a class provide feedback and discuss the students' use of the chorus.

Students will:

• respond to the reflective task in their logbooks. A question to guide their response could be:
  • describe how chorus was effectively used in your, or another groups' performance.
• encourage students to use the key definitions covered at the beginning of the sequence in their response
• encourage students to use their workshop experiences to support their findings.

• Access to Prologue from Beauty and the Beast.
• Access to Beauty and the Beast script.