Starstuff

In this activity, students will be able to add physicality to some of the terms that are used in Peter and the Starcatcher. This game is a revision of the traditional theatre game Yee-Haw.

Directions

This is an energy-passing game, like many other drama games. Students will pass the action/energy to others in the circle. As the actions continually move around the circle, there aren't any outs. If someone makes an error, remind them of the correct action and have them begin again.

Here is an explanation of each of the actions (listed in the order you should incorporate them into the game, adding one at a time until student are familiar with each):

• Startsuff: The student says, "Starstuff," as they swing their arm, bent at the elbow, across their body, passing energy to the student next to them. If the student uses the right arm, it passes the energy to the person on their left; the left arm passes the energy to the right. Remind players that the “Starstuff” movement goes in front of their body. When introducing this element, allow students to pass the energy completely around the circle, each saying "Starstuff" as they pass the energy to the next person.
• Game's Afoot: When a student says, "Game's afoot," it changes the direction of the energy. The action to accompany "Game's afoot" is for the student to put their fists together like they are holding a jackhammer, squatting down and coming right back up. This changes the direction of the “Starstuff.”
• Where's the Treasure?: When a student says, "Where's the treasure," the student will send the action across the circle. The student must make eye contact with someone across the circle (not directly beside themself), clasp both hands together in front of their face and throw their hands towards the person to whom they are sending the energy. Play continues with a “Starstuff" in either direction.
• Jolly Roger: When a student says, “Jolly Roger,” the student will raise both arms in the air and wave their hands like blowing flags. "Starstuff" continues in the same direction but "Jolly Roger" skips the next consecutive player as the gust of wind that was blowing the flag blows the starstuff over the next player skipping their turn. Jolly Roger can’t be called directly after “where's the treasure.”
• The Wasp Is After Us!: When a student calls, "The Wasp is after us," they must hold both hands up to their eyes as though they are looking through binoculars. Once the Wasp is spotted, all other students move into a new place in the circle, yelling, avoiding pirates, etc. The student who called "The Wasp is after us" starts with a "Starstuff" in either direction to resume play.

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