Rehearsing and Performing the Collective Creation
Formal rehearsals may begin with a range of warm-up exercises that help to focus the concentration of the students/actors and prepare them mentally and physically for the rehearsal period. A number of drama resources suggested in the bibliography describe appropriate warm-up exercises.
During early in-class rehearsals, if the level of experience of the class and the structure of the collective creation permit, the students may work in small groups, with the teacher moving from group to group providing direction as necessary. Rehearsals will begin with the polishing of individual episodes and eventually progress to "run through" of the whole play. Inevitably, extra rehearsals will be called to work through rough spots in blocking, help strengthen individual work on role and incorporate new ideas that emerge as the rehearsals proceed.
The collective creations of secondary level students may be easily staged. A space on a classroom floor can be defined as a playing area. Simple sets and costumes that are student inspired and created (or gathered) may be all that is required. Collective creations of students may be easily staged. Students who wish to design simple lighting plots and operate the lights will have an opportunity to do so. Similarly, students who are particularly keen on producing or taping music and sound effects for the play, can be encouraged to do so. Elaborate sets, costumes, lighting and sound are not, however, essential ingredients of a successful performance.