Park Bench
 

Benefits

Do you want to get your drama class students off to a good start by helping them create engaging characters? A great technique is to use an improv game called 'Park Bench.' It's a fun, low-pressure way for students to practise creating characters, and it can be used for any level of drama class. The park bench game is perfect for encouraging students to be creative, build confidence in their acting abilities, and have some fun in their drama class. It is an easy and interactive way to teach them the basics of improvisation while they are exploring the limits of their imagination. Through this game, students will learn how to create believable and dynamic characters, explore possibilities within scenarios, and discover the art of storytelling. No matter if your drama students are just starting out or have experience creating characters, 'Park Bench' is a great way to get them engaged and ready to learn. So get ready, put on your creative hats, and discover a new way to bring the art of improv to your drama class!

Good for all ages         Good for group sizes 

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How to play

Set up a space with a park bench in the middle of the stage, I normally use 3 or 4 chairs pushed together. Instruct students to go ‘in’ or ‘out’ from either side of the wings with the premise being that they are waiting for a bus. Students will enter and exit many times and each time they change character to something different. Their character can interact with others, create problems or stories or just be a background character but encourage them to be different each time.

To start, set it with 2 students in the scene, and when you're ready instruct another student to go ‘in’. When you want to add something different you can take student’s ‘in’ or ‘out’ as you please and let it run as long as you want.

Tips for playing

• Remind students to be creative but realistic. They shouldn’t walk straight into the scene and cause a big problem. The story should come naturally in the conversation.

• Don’t add too many students in at the same time. I have found that this creates a bit of chaos and sometimes a power struggle for the scene. Better to have fewer and have more ‘ins’ and ‘outs’

• Instruct students not to talk over each other. Remind them that in plays or musicals the audience can only hear or concentrate on one conversation at a time. They should work together and listen to others as much as speak.

• They should enter and exit naturally in character. So when you ask a student to come ‘out’ they shouldn’t drop out of character and immediately leave. They need to find a way of their character having a reason to leave.

• Encourage different accents, voices and physical appearances of characters. This is what makes this game so great. It can really help your actors diversify and play parts they wouldn’t normally take. For example, opposite sex, or different age ranges.

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This game of storytelling is a great tool for students looking to develop their characterisation and confidence, as well as teaching them the value of trial and error. The opportunities for exploration and creativity are limitless, making it a great dynamic tool for drama classes, clubs, and both professional and amateur theatre groups. As playwright Edward Albee once said, 'The theatre is the only place where we can see ourselves, our contradictions, our explosive passions and our humble vulnerability.' This game is an ideal opportunity for students to replicate that on a smaller scale and to develop the skills needed for theatre performance. So, why not give it a try today and see the limitless opportunities it provides?

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Love 2 Learn English also writes plays and shows for children/schools with no licence fees. Simply pay for the script and use it how you want.
Check out the Scripts & Monologue pages here.