1. DRAMA TECHNIQUES Learning Mat How to improve/develop
VOICE
Explanation
How to improve/develop
Articulation
Making sure that the words you say are clear to everyone.
Tongue Twisters as warm ups. Speed talking. Repetition.
Projection
Allowing your voice to be heard by all members of the audience – this does not mean shouting.
Making sure you have good posture. Developing breath control. Focussing your voice to different distances.
Breath Control
Knowing how to take in and release breath in the correct way, so that you are able to project your voice, intonate and deliver your lines effectively.
Relaxation exercises. Annotate script to know when you want the important stresses/pauses to appear in the deliver of lines. Correct posture exercises.
Learning Lines
You are confident, from an early stage, that you are able to speak lines effectively on stage.
Working with a pair/cast. Post it notes. Taping your voice. Cover up page. Cue words.
Intonation
How the tone of your voice can demonstrate meaning. EG you may say exactly the same words but they can mean very different things depending on how you say them.
Annotation of Script. Decide what your character means when they are saying particular lines. Play around with the meaning behind the line to see which one feels more appropriate.

2. DRAMA TECHNIQUES Learning Mat How to improve/develop
MOVEMENT
Explanation
How to improve/develop
Coordination
Having confidence with what you are doing, where you are moving to, and what you should be doing on stage.
Confidence in the blocking as given to you by the director. Trist exercises with the rest of the cast.
Muscle Memory
Through rehearsal your body ‘gets into the habit’ of the character and automatically does the things you have practiced.
Practice to perfect. Work with a pair to identify harder areas to master and repeat. Rehearsing movement so it becomes second nature.
Spatial Awareness
Knowing how to maximise the performing space effectively. Knowing how to present yourself on stage from the audience point of view.
Always think about your performance from an audience point of view. Blocking maps. Movement maps. Use of video to see rehearsals.
Facial Expression
Using the smallest movement on face to suggest a mood, feeling, attitude.
Use a mirror. Use extremes of facial expressions to make sure that you understand the chosen emotion from your interpretation.
Gesture
Using your hands and arms to communicate or emphasise a point that is being made or an emotion that is being portrayed
Try to do your script without speaking – using only your hands and arms to communicate the intention of your scene. Exaggerate everything to make sure you are clear of your intentions.