From a painting to a play
A painting shows one moment, and a play can tell what happened before and after it. Imagine an old painting of a market beside the Nile. It shows a fisherman with a net, a girl carrying a basket of dates, a man with a donkey and a boat on the water. First we list the characters and the setting. Then we plan the events in order: first, then, next, so now and finally. After that we write the dialogue, the words the characters say. We also make a prop, such as a paper basket. A play needs teamwork. Good team members stay focused, share ideas, listen and respect other opinions, set goals together, and are considerate of other people’s feelings. Each member can also set one personal goal, such as speaking clearly.
| Part | Our plan |
|---|---|
| Characters | fisherman, girl, man with donkey |
| Setting | a market beside the Nile |
| First | The girl carries dates to the market. |
| Then | The fisherman shows his fish. |
| Finally | Everyone shares a meal. |
From picture to play. Imagine the market painting or choose a picture of a market from a book. In a group of four, write the characters and setting in a table, then plan the events using First, Then, Next, So now and Finally. Write two lines of dialogue for each character. Make a paper prop, such as a basket. Write one team goal on a card and each member signs it. Rehearse for 30 minutes and perform for the class. Everyone listens kindly.