Playback Theatre might be something that would work well. It can be played in a short time and involves a story from an audience member. If your audience member is one of your grandparents, the playing could have a special significance. I play
Playback Theatre with 3rd-12th graders.
1. Before Grandparents' Day, have your class come up with a series of prompts that would elicit a story from somebody (i.e. "Tell us about a wonderful vacation," "Tell us about a time something was hard for you," "Tell us about a time you and your grandchild did something together" [etc.])
2. Share the (chosen) prompt with the group and ask one of the grandparents if they would like to share their story. The storyteller then sits in front of the audience and tells their story . The audience listens
and does not speak/ask any questions. Only the storyteller's voice should be heard.
(it helps to ask the storyteller before they begin, to include details in their story.
3. The storyteller returns to the audience, and the students, one-by-one, create a machine that tells the story. A student might say "She said that the bus ride was really long and bumpy" and then would move to the performing space, create a repeated sound and motion (bumpy bus) to start a machine. A 2nd student might then say "I thought it was funny when she said the ocean water was freezing and she jumped out", and then would join/connect to the first student with a repeated sound/word and a repeated motion for freezing water/jumping. Students continue to add on to the machine one-at-a-time until the teacher feels the machine is complete. The teacher then can turn the machine off (students freeze), turn the machine back on, turn the machine to slow motion. After a few moments, the teacher turns the machine off. The performers (and audience) turn to the storyteller and applaud- thanking them for sharing their story. The teacher can ask the storyteller if the students captured their story (I have never had a storyteller say "no" to this question. ) Storytellers are often very moved by seeing their story depicted in this unusual and abstract way.
It helps if students have already done some "machine building" in improv (working on connecting to each other, sharing a space, having their sounds and motions work in sync,) but I have done
Playback Theatre with groups who have not done machine work prior to playing.
In 20 minutes you would have time for several story machines. The grandparents might also get a kick out of seeing a student answer the prompt and have a machine built of their story.
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Joanna Lewton
Arts Director
Capital City Public Charter School
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2023 01:20
From: Amber Williams
Subject: Grandparents' Day Activities
You can try fun activities like creative arts. I also read from a post by Seasons Retirement that creating art has several health benefits, especially for seniors. It can help to alleviate stress and anxiety and even enhance physical health.
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Amber Williams
Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2018 08:58
From: Elizabeth Austin
Subject: Grandparents' Day Activities
Grandparents' Day is coming up at school, and my middle school theatre students will bring their grandparents to class! I'm looking for a fun activity that would incorporate the grandparents. My kids love improv, and the classes are only about 20 minutes long that day, so it seems like some sort of improv day would be best. I also need to keep in mind that not every student will have a grandparent present. Any suggestions?
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Ellie Smoak
Middle School Theatre Teacher
Upper School Theatre Assistant Director
Chattanooga Christian School
Chattanooga TN
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