Abstract
The facilitator’s first task on the day is to transport the group into the virtual world of the role-play. Before the workshop begins, therefore, facilitators need to step back from last-minute organizational issues, take time to steady the breathing and to compose themselves, and prepare imaginatively to step back into the virtual world they have created. Once the world of the workshop again comes alive around them, they are ready to step forward, to introduce themselves from within that imaginative space, and effectively to invite the group to join them. They need to have in readiness ways to manage the nerves of the first moments and a creative opening activity that will convincingly lead the group over into the virtual world.
If you have no difficulties with public speaking and are comfortable leading a group, this material will probably already be known to you. If these are issues you have yet to master, this chapter discusses how to prepare yourself on the day, so that you can stand calmly and confidently and introduce yourself and the workshop. You do this by reestablishing imaginative contact with the world of the role-play, introducing yourself from within that imaginative space, and inviting the group into the virtual world.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
To warm up the voice, simply sing quietly in the shower or hum forward onto the lips. When warmed up, the voice loses its “sticky” quality and sounds smooth. The water vapour helps to lubricate the voice. Hum or sing up and down through your vocal range. The voice should slide smoothly up and down its range without jumps. If you discover a break, hum up and down over the break. Then test to see that the voice has become smooth.
- 2.
For example, ask everyone to write down one fact about themselves that is improbable but true, collect the slips of paper, read out the entries, and see if the group can identify the writers. Or ask everyone to introduce themselves to the person next to them in one minute in the most interesting way possible. Or involve them in a game where the group must work out how many objects, verbs, or adjectives begin with a specific letter of the alphabet. For instance, suggest that their state of mind on being asked to break bad news begins with the letter D. How many words can they find?
- 3.
Chairs is an enjoyable team-building game. Scatter chairs randomly around the room. Everyone but a volunteer occupies a chair leaving one chair free. The volunteer simply needs to sit on the free chair. However, anyone can stop this happening by vacating their own chair and occupying the free one. Someone else needs then to occupy the empty chair. The group needs to work together to keep the volunteer on their feet. How long does it take before the volunteer manages to sit? Whoever loses their chair becomes the next volunteer. The game is surprisingly absorbing and generates considerable interactivity.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Heinrich, P. (2018). Beginning the Role-play Workshop. In: When role-play comes alive. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5969-8_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5969-8_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-5968-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-5969-8
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)