Workshop bonus : Set design and costumes

Setup: What do we need?

  • A workspace: The provided room should be sufficiently large and arranged in a way that can accommodate all participants and allow freedom of movement, as the workshop requires physical engagement.
  • A video projection system or the printing of accompanying illustrations.

The Participants

Preschool students aged between 4 and 7 years, with the group not exceeding 30 students.

Facilitators

School teachers, educators, drama instructors.

Objectives of this workshop

Enrich their cultural references. Stimulate their imagination.

Time Required:

45 minutes

Implementation:

The workshops will use techniques from visual arts such as painting, molding, collage, and sculpture.

Outcome:

By the end of the session, the children will have:

Explored their visual expression through various techniques. Practiced their ability to incorporate and reuse new aesthetics.

1. Session start

Clap  
In a circle, the children pass an applause to their neighbor (by clapping their hands) while going around the circle. To make the applause pass, the students must look into each other’s eyes before clapping their hands!

2. Esthetic

Through videos, illustrations, and photographs, we expose students to different aesthetics through stage costumes and traditional clothing from around the world:

  • Makeup like in Australia
  • Jewelry like in Cameroon
  • Headpieces like in Bolivia

Masks can be the subject of a separate session, including:

  • Masks from the commedia dell’arte
  • Venetian masks
  • Masks from Beijing opera
  • Masks in Kathakali
  • Ritual masks from Nigeria, Malawi, Tibet, Japan, and the Kwakwaka’wakw (this is not an exhaustive list, just suggestions!)

3. Creation

Discuss with them what they like and what might be wise to draw inspiration from for their story: a headpiece for a king instead of a crown, a decorated staff that can serve as both a mount and a weapon, a large scarf that acts as a boat sail, a witch’s cape, and that can be layered over a dancer’s skirt…

Also, revisit accessories that can double as instruments, like maracas bracelets. But be cautious about their handling during the performance, as their noise could disrupt certain scenes…

Craft the various costumes and accessories by creating masks, headpieces, arranging fabrics…

3. End session

Clap
The leader positions themselves facing the other group members to be well seen by all. They place their arms horizontally and start clapping their hands above their head. The others must imitate them while following their rhythm. Then, gradually, the leader accelerates the rhythm until it leads to applause.