Create shadow tableaux in groups, capturing scenes and exploring relationships.
Me & My Shadow Photo: Matt Byrne
What is a Tableau?
A tableaux is a frozen moment created by performers, like a live photograph. Performers must stay very still in a tableau.
The plural for tableau is tableaux
Tableaux in Pairs
Using an overhead projector or projector create a light onto a blank white wall or screen. In pairs, students create a frozen picture (a tableau) in a situation that they will show as a shadow. Try the following scenes:
Two people playing tennis
Two ballet dancers
An owner and their pet dog
Two runners in a race
Tableaux in Groups
Have students form small groups of 3–6. Each group is to create four interrelated frozen poses that demonstrate the growth of a friendship between members of the group.
Tableau #1 is to represent the group meeting as strangers
Tableau # 2 is to represent the group getting to know each other
Tableau # 3 is to represent beginning to like each other
Tableau # 4 is to represent that the strangers are now friends
More activities to try
Suitcase of StoriesAfter experiencing Spark: Once Upon a Jar, share the stories you have created.
