-catalog of critical creativity-

-Creating with words: The first activity, “Potent Quotables”, could fit very well in a theatre lesson. It uses quotes with which students are to pick one and digitally design on a photograph or image in a meaningful way – this could excellently be used to get the students to critically think about themes of plays or even do character work (they would use a quote from their character).

-Creating with images: I love the idea of using “Minimalist Poster” to teach and explore director’s concept. The activity requires the students to portray complex ideas in a minimalist poster, similar to how single statement director’s concept capture big ideas. The students could read a play, develop their own concepts, and then create the minimalist poster to effectively communicate the concept. The activity itself spurs thinking about condensing ideas and builds well into students thinking about what it means to have a director’s concept.

-Creating with sounds: “Playlist a Life” could be great for character work. The students would select a character (which would be the character they are playing if they are in a play, doing a scene, monologue, etc.) and would have to come up with a playlist of songs that capture that character. They could select significant moments in the character’s entire life or significant moments in the play, depending on what the teacher’s goal is. Additionally, “Audio Landscape” could be great to explore the mood of a play/scene or even work towards set design. The students have to imagine what the setting would actually sound/feel like and create audio recordings that capture this.

-Creating with the body: “Humojis” can be great to get the students in their bodies and for teaching/exercising pantomiming. Additionally, the text that is used could be a scene or play to allow the students to more deeply reflect on a specific work and their own creations (their photographed ‘humojis’). Also, “Dallowinian Party” by nature is very theatrical. It is great for story and world building, improv, and character and relationship exploration. *Note: This activity, in particular, would be one you would need more than day to complete.  

-Creating with stuff: “Metaphorical Architecture” would be very helpful in exploring set design, especially when we are discussing encompassing the director’s concept, which often deals with more metaphorical ideas rather than just what the physical space would realistically look like. It also moves into the practical skill of pitching ideas/designs seeing as the students need to justify their creative choices. I would love to hold a “production meeting” for the premise of this as each student or groups of students present their design.

-Creating with social media: “One Word to Rule Them All” could also be a great process in character exploration as the students create a signature of their character (thinking of significance of typography) and think of adjectives (and eventually a single word and the design of that word) that captures the character(s). This spurs critical thinking as they must reflect on how all elements lend to and support one another.