Activities

COLOURING A TEXT

Number of participants

From 2 participants (pair number)

Objectives

● To enhance participants’ vocal techniques and versatility in reading and interpreting texts.
● To develop participants’ ability to interpret and convey different emotions and characters through their reading.
● To improve participants’ listening skills and their ability to provide constructive feedback.

Where does the activity take place within the process (beginning, middle, end)

Middle

Duration

30 to 45 minutes

Material needed

Selected text (newspaper article, poem, fiction piece, recipe, etc.)
Open space for participants to move around if desired.

Preparation

Choose a text for the activity and make copies for each pair or display it for all participants.

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Explain that participants will work in pairs, one as the reader and the other as the prompter.

2. Introduce the concept of “colouring” the text with different interpretations.

3. In each pair, assign one participant to be the reader and the other to be the prompter.

4. Instruct the prompter to whisper different interpretative variations to the reading performer, e.g. “Read like… a priest, an opera baritone, a second grader, etc.”.

5. Give each pair a few minutes to perform their reading, incorporating the suggested variations in interpretation.

6. After each pair has finished their reading, instruct them to switch roles and repeat the exercise.

Closing up

Invite the audience to comment on the performances, focusing on the effectiveness of the interpretative variations and the overall impact of the readings.

Thank participants for their active participation and engagement.

Optional: Open the floor for a brief discussion or reflection on the experience, allowing participants to share their thoughts and insights.

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

Encourage Creativity: Foster a supportive and creative environment where participants feel comfortable exploring different interpretative variations and vocal techniques. Manage Time: Monitor the time to ensure each pair has sufficient time to perform and receive feedback. Facilitate Reflection: After the activity, facilitate a discussion to reflect on the experience, encourage participants to share their thoughts, and highlight any key insights or learnings. Provide Guidance: Be available to provide guidance and support to participants as needed, helping them navigate the roles and interpretative variations effectively.
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