Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
How fun would it be to have your students develop, write, and produce their own interactive murder mystery? This hands-on guide takes you step-by-step through a six-week process for middle or high school students. This easy-to-use text shows you exactly how to get the creative juices going. It covers brainstorming, character creation, plot development, planting clues, and writing dialogue. Lists of characters, locations, plots, weapons, and even ways to die help the process along. The book also addresses the actual production, providing useful checklists for the director and stressing how to achieve maximum audience participation. Emphasis is put on developing the improvisational skills needed to be a successful suspect Synopses of five plays including cast lists, ideas, and comments help you learn from others who have already done this. Includes a chart to show how the mystery class aligns well with National Core Arts Standards for Theatre.
Synopsis
Middle school students are highly creative, imaginative, and uninhibited with their ideas. And they love puzzles That's why they are intrigued by murder mysteries. This book invites the interaction of the whole class in the process of creating mystery plays. It includes everything you need to teach basic dramatic skills by creating and staging an interactive murder mystery play. It's a six-week long, step-by-step program. In weeks one and two students brainstorm ideas; refine the theme; and create the characters, plots, means, motives, scenes, and more. Weeks three and four include games to strengthen writing and acting skills, to develop the plot and characters, and for students to think on their feet. The final two weeks focus on rehearsal and performance. Like the author's previous book Drama Games and Improvs, this guide helps teach drama skills holistically. Students are unaware they are learning new skills with every game and activity.