Hotseating Characters
Groups are allocated one character each about whom they are to become expert. The character questions are provided to guide their research into their character.
Each group should:
- Try to reach a consensus about the conflicts and motivation of each character.
- Be able to substantiate their point of view through the use of quotes or paraphrasing of incidents and stage directions from the play.
When groups have a defensible knowledge of their character, an individual is chosen to take on the role of the character in a hot seating exercise. Alternatively, the whole group could be hotseated.
This involves:
- students attempting to portray the beliefs, conflicts, motivation, speech and mannerisms of the character as...
- answering questions provided by other members of the class, the teacher and other members of their group. These questions will take the form of:
"Why did you...?"
"What did you mean by...?"
"How did you feel when...?"
"Isn't it true that...?"
"When did you...?"
"Are you proud of...?"
"How did you react to...?"
- Students should remain in role during the entire time they are in the hotseat. They may find it useful to prepare a prop or a piece of costuming to help them into the role.
- Teachers will need to lead and model the questioning initially at least.
Published on: 02 Dec 2010
