In Class Warm-ups
In Class Warm-ups
In Class Warm-ups
By Rylee Vogel
It’s time for the new semester. Classes, auditions, and rehearsals are getting ready to
begin. A key element for educational theater is a warm-up before the lesson. A grounding warm-up can help increase student attention, dedication, and teach important acting skills along the way. Usually, this should take ten to twenty minutes, depending on the amount of time allotted. Attached below is a document of different warm-up ideas and how to use them. Warm-ups are typically a series of games or activities that help set the tone of the class.
Here are five elements that a good class warm-up should incorporate:
1. Group Connection
The ensemble is one of the most important aspects of theater. Building a strong group
connection is the most critical element of a successful class, rehearsal, or audition. There should be a level of trust amongst students. They should all feel comfortable making bold decisions because this is when creativity shines though. A warm-up that directly involves group interaction is paramount to building these connections.
2. Physicality
A warm-up should physically engage the body. When students are able to move,
connections are created, and students are an active part of the scene. Additionally, having a physical warm up can help ease apprehension from students by creating an immediate judgement-free zone. It allows students to be silly and to create physical art.
3. Vocal Element
A key part of performance is the voice. Not only is it physically beneficial to warm up the voice before using it, but it also creates a level of comfort in the space so students can use their voices to their fullest potential. In-class warm-ups should focus on vocal range, diversity, and volume.
4. Mental Engagement
Making sure that students are mentally engaged in the warm-up builds their desire to be in the theater. The warm-up should appropriately balance rigor and fun, and it should be challenging enough to consistently engage all students in the class, even when they are not the active participant.
5. Improvisation
Improv can be the ultimate way to combine all of the previously listed elements in addition to building critical skills for performance. By playing improv warm-ups, students learn adaptability and foster creativity. This helps with world-building and immediately connects the group.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE CLASS WARM-UP IDEAS!
Submit the form below to download a free set of class warm-up ideas to use with your students during lessons.
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