Workshop 3 – symbolic props

Learning intention

In this activity, you'll focus on the minimalist and symbolic set design in a chosen scene from Life Without Me. This is to explore how drama creates rich moments of reflection for audiences in forming their own personal responses to situation and performance.

Assumed knowledge

A working knowledge of contemporary Australian theatre conventions.

Instructions

• The focus of this activity will be centred around the symbolism of a prop or set piece named in the script. This symbolic use of props is an important contemporary Australian theatre convention used in Keene's play.

• In a group of 3 or 4, select an excerpt of a scene from Life Without Me that contains a prop or set detail with the potential for extended symbolism. Consider how this prop or set piece relates to character issues or concerns in the broader context of the play.

• Examine the chosen prop or set detail. Explore with devising approaches the various meanings and emotions it can convey. How does it connect to the cultural, social, political, and personal issues in the play? Discuss its potential to represent broader cultural, social, political, personal and artistic ideas. Note: this is a difficult connection to make and it could be made easier by doing these first few steps as a class and discussing with your teacher.

• Stage a 2 to 3 minute performance of your chosen scene in which the selected prop or set detail constantly holds the focus of the audience. To achieve this, you might create physical or movement-based cues where this item is used in different, meaningful ways, without altering the dialogue of the scene. Experiment with silence or stillness to manipulate tension, focus, and timing.

• Each group will present their scene to the class, emphasising the symbolic use of the chosen prop or set piece. Pay attention to how these symbolic elements enhance the understanding of the scene's cultural, social, political, and personal dimensions.

• After the performances, discuss how effective each use of the prop was at capturing cultural, social, political or personal symbolism and communicating it dramatically to an audience.

Reflection

As a way to consolidate your learning from the workshop, answer the following questions in short written responses in your study notes (around 300 words total).

• How did your group's exploration of symbolism within your chosen scene and prop deepen your understanding of the play's cultural, social, political, or personal issues or concerns? 

• How did this focus on a single prop contribute to the scene's overall meaning?

• Consider the audience's reactions during the performances. How did your use of symbolism affect their engagement with the scene? Did it amplify or alter their perceptions of the play's themes?

You may also want to add this workshop evidence to you study notes (see the Study notes page).