Shoplifting
In this project, students tell a story on the theme of shoplifting. At the end of the project, they perform a scene about the key moment when a person starts to shoplift, and how this changes their life and the lives of those around them. The performance includes a range of techniques introduced over the project.
The aims are to:
- tell a story using a range of drama techniques
- develop understanding about choices that people can make and the effects these can have
- learn more about performance skills
- understand more about character development and portrayal.
By the end of this project, students are expected to:
- have developed a deeper understanding of different ways to tell a story
- have developed more knowledge of dramatic techniques
- have worked on confidence for performance, both solo and in a group
- be able to develop a character, different from themselves, that has meaning and depth.
The techniques which are covered in lessons in this project include:
- devil and angel
- freeze frame
- hot seating
- marking the moment
- monologue
- physicalised monologue
- thought tunnel
- thoughts aloud
- thought-tracking.
The key words which are used in this project include:
- freeze frame
- hot seating
- marking the moment
- monologue
- performance
- physicalised monologue
- proxemics
- rehearsal
- self-evaluation
- staging
- thought-tracking
- thought tunnel
- thoughts aloud.
The text which students encounter during this project includes the personal story of a shoplifter, the personal story of a store detective, a poem (‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll) and an account of the sinking of the Titanic.
This series of lessons has cross-curricular links with Citizenship, History and English.
Students should be assessed in this project on the extent to which they:
- develop an understanding of the techniques
- create a character from written stimuli
- portray the character and perform their role successfully
- evaluate their work and that of others.
Web sites which could be used for further information on this topic include:
This project meets the following recommendations from Drama in Schools (Second Edition) (Arts Council England, 2003). For a complete mapping, see Managing: Drama in Schools.
Level 4: Making
- Work confidently in groups using a range of drama techniques to explore situations and devise dramas for different purposes
Level 4: Responding
- Discuss the themes or issues in the drama and the way they were presented
Level 5: Making
- Explore and interpret ideas, issues and relationships in their drama work, and structure it using appropriate dramatic forms, eg documentary drama, and conventions such as the use of the aside
A printable version of the project is provided here:
A summary of the project is provided here:
Aims
devil and angel, 
Shoplifting