Workshop Script: Act Without Words by Samuel Beckett This is a good exercise if you want to combine two workshop

groups. You will need the following props: scissors, rope, a bottle, three large books Break up class into groups of three Prompt: What is a play? Each group brainstorms and comes up with a definition. (7-10 minutes) Share the definitions (5 minutes) Optional: At this point, if you know anything about Beckett, you might want to talk a little bit about his work. (5 minutes) Ask for volunteers and cast the play. You will need: -A man (can be played by a woman). This person needs to be able to fall down without hurting himself. The person should be wearing comfortable clothesnothing that would restrict movement. -Narrator (the person who reads the stage directions) -The tree -A scissors person -A carafe (bottle) person -A cube (books) person -Someone to whistle Act out/read the play There is no dialog in the play. The narrator needs to read the stage directions slowly in order to allow the Man to act out all the moments, especially when he is supposed to take a moment to think about what has just happened. NOTE: The wings are the offstage areas to the right and left of the stage After the play is read, students will get back into their groups. The need to answer the following questions about the play: Who whistles? Why does the man look at his hands? Whats in the wings? They also fill in the blanks of the following statement: This play is about ______________________ (a person) who tries to ________________ and/but after ___________________ ends up ________________ because _______________ _______________ _________________. For example: This play is about a lonely man who tries to find some comfort but after failing repeatedly ends up completely alone because life is cruel. Again answer the question, what is a play? Students share the answers to the questions and their final statements. Short discussion.