The previous two blogs were created by assigning situations, characters, and objectives for large groups. Now give your students the opportunity to create their own background for a large group improvisation. This will take several days, depending on the class’ ability. Divide the class into two or three groups of eight to fifteen students (depending upon class size). Have each group select a leader. Direct the groups to prepare an improvisation in which every group member portrays a character with an objective. Instruct each group to decide first on a suitable location for its scene to unfold. Then they should come up with characters that could fit into that scene. If any group has trouble thinking of a suitable setting, you'll need to be ready with suggestions. Here are some settings that can easily accommodate large groups: • School Bus- Having a driver and any number of students has all kinds of opportunities for interesting interplay of characters and objectives. • Beach- An easy scene to develop; actors enter one at a time, starting with the lifeguard. • Funeral Parlor- Begin with the director of the establishment alone with the deceased; have the other actors enter one at a time or in pairs. • Wedding Reception- A difficult and challenging scene; clear-cut relationships must be established beforehand. • Courtroom- Lots of character possibilities: judge, defendant, prosecutor, defense attorney, bailiff, clerk, witnesses. The group can even select a jury from the rest of the class. • Murder Scene- Living room of an old mansion; ten suspects and a detective a la Agatha Christie. • Play Rehearsal: This would depend on whether your students have had prior theatre involvement and have some first hand experience of play rehearsals to draw from. Once the scene and characters have been determined, the group leader should coordinate casting by helping the actors choose characters and objectives. The leader makes sure there are conflicts that must be resolved. Each actor must write down their character’s name and objective, which is then put in a hat and when the improv is over, revealed to the audience. The leader then decides in what order the actors will enter into the scene. If possible, you could use a stage for these presentations and invite a small audience. Focus your evaluation on characterization and use of objectives. | 
