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Exploring Stimulus

Black Box Education

Created on August 12, 2025

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Transcript

Exploring Stimulus

DEVISING

THEATRE

THE MISSIONS

PASSPORT

STAMPS

Every mission needs a passport, and this passport is your guide to a range of explorations and tasks. Each mission is designed to inspire and guide you on your journey of creating original theatre. Be open. Be creative. And most importantly, let your imagination wonder. Are you ready?

Zip! Zap! Bong!

This is Bob!

Bob knows a thing or two about devising theatre and he's here to guide you through the mission of exploring your stimulus.
STAMPS

Missions

ARCHAEOLOGY

Your group has five missions to complete.

STILL IMAGES

50 WORDS

SOUNDSCAPE

ICEBERG

STAMPS

mission

50 WORDS

How many can your group come up with? You will need some paper and pens for this mission.
STAMPS

Tips for the task.

How many words did your group jot down?

You can find task information by clicking here.

mmm

A. Below 10

50 or over!

C. Between 10 and 49

D. ZERO! ZILCH! NADA!

STAMPS

GROUP DISCUSSION - Click here for details. HOW DID THE DISCUSION GO?

Let's go!

A. Nobody contributed

B. We didn't discuss anything

C. It was effective!

D. Very little was discussed

STAMPS

Here you go!

50 WORDS will be added to your stamps. Hopefully, this mission has helped you explore the stimulus from multiple angles, uncovering deeper meanings and connections.

GOOD work!

You now have your first stamp. 4 more missions to go. Are you ready?

STAMPS

Missions

ARCHAEOLOGY

You've completed your first mission. Ready for your second?

STILL IMAGES

50 WORDS

SOUNDSCAPE

ICEBERG

STAMPS

mission

It's freezing!

ICEBERG

Are you ready to delve deeper into what lies beneath?
STAMPS

Sketch an iceberg in the middle of a piece of paper.

Make sure you leave plenty of space around it for you to add notes.

You can also download and print a template for this task by clicking the link button below.

STAMPS
Don't forget your mission is here.

Like a sinking ship, we're drowning!

We've explored the tip...

Do you feel you've not developed enough exploration?
...and now ready to go deep sea diving.
STAMPS

How does the submerged layer influence what’s happening above? Could the hidden meanings suggest a backstory or future development?

Are you ready?

Bob said if you're freezing, it's time for...
STAMPS

Great!

...your ICEBERG stamp! You now have a document with lots of ideas on it. Keep coming back to it to refine and seek inspiration.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You've sailed the seas, navigated an iceberg and ready for some pratical exploration.

STAMPS

Missions

ARCHAEOLOGY

You've complted your second mission. Are you ready for your third?

STILL IMAGES

50 WORDS

SOUNDSCAPE

ICEBERG

STAMPS

snap!

Mission

STILL IMAGES

Are you ready to get practical?

Focus!

STAMPS

Perform Your Still Image: Present your still image to your peers and teacher, ensuring clear body language, facial expressions, and complete stillness to convey your message effectively. Explain Your Choices: Share the emotions, themes, or story behind your still image and discuss how your positioning and expressions communicate this. Get Feedback: Ask your peers and teacher for constructive feedback on clarity, emotion, and composition, and note suggestions for improvement.

Let's go!

A still image is a technique where performers create a frozen picture with their bodies to represent a specific moment, idea, theme, or situation. It's like a photograph brought to life on stage, where the actors remain completely still, without movement or speech.

STAMPS

You're almost there!

We worked really well as a team and got lots of ideas from doing this mission.

We created some still images but we faced a few challenges.

Refine and Reflect: Adjust and improve your still images based on feedback, and then have a group discussion on how the changes enhanced their impact.

STAMPS

Keep it up!

STILL IMAGES will be added to your stamps. What characters and plot points materialised from this mission?

GOOD work!

You can consider adding still images in your devising process once you start creating material.

STAMPS

Missions

ARCHAEOLOGY

Three down, two to go!

STILL IMAGES

50 WORDS

SOUNDSCAPE

ICEBERG

STAMPS

Mission

Beep! Beep!

SOUNDSCAPE

Are you ready to use your vocal skills?

Shhhh!

STAMPS

Watch this video to see how a soundscape is created. What environment did they create?

A. A busy city

B. A primary school

C. A forest

STAMPS

Plan Your Sounds: Decide which vocal techniques best represent the atmosphere or mood. Consider adding rhythm, pitch variation, or layering for depth. Click the techniques below for detailed ideas.

CREATE A SOUNDSCAPE

Create a soundscape inspired by the stimulus you are exploring.

WHISPERING

HUMMING

CHANTING

Discuss the Stimulus: Identify the key emotions, themes, or setting of your stimulus (e.g., a stormy night, a bustling city, or a haunted forest).

PITCH VARIATION

LAYERING

ECHOING

PERCUSSIVE SOUNDS

DYNAMIC CHANGES

Ready to move on?

STAMPS

Layer Sounds: Start with one sound and gradually add others to build complexity and depth. Explore Dynamics: Try varying the volume (loud/soft) to create moments of intensity or calm. Play with Timing: Introduce sounds at different intervals to create rhythm or unexpected contrasts.

Experiment and Rehearse: Practice creating your soundscape as a group. Experiment with dynamics (loud/soft) and timing to create contrast and build tension or energy.

Use Space: Position group members in different parts of the room to create a sense of distance or movement.

Experiment with the following tips to enhance your exploration.

We're done!

STAMPS

There you go!

SOUNDSCAPE will be added to your stamps. Now are you ready to do some digging?

SOUNDS GOOD!

Reflect on how effectively your group communicated the stimulus through sound.

STAMPS

Missions

ARCHAEOLOGY

You're near the finish line!

STILL IMAGES

50 WORDS

SOUNDSCAPE

ICEBERG

Oh no! Bob's stuck in a blackout

Keep searching

Use the torch from the props cupboard and try and find the code to switch the power back on. Remember the code because you need it for your final mission.

Keep searching

Keep searching

Keep searching

Keep searching

Keep searching

Code: PROP

Enter the code you have obtained to access the final mission

Enter the password

CHARACTER ARCHAEOLOGY

This final mission guides you in uncovering and developing complex characters inspired by your stimulus. By "digging beneath the surface," you can explore hidden layers of personality, motivation, and conflict, creating rich material for devising drama.

Before that, Bob's got a problem...

You need to find Bob's backpack. It's got the tools in it to help you dig deeper.

Drag the parts of the map to find where Bob left his backpack and be able to move on in the mission.

Identify Potential Characters

Wow, you got it!

Examine your stimulus for any suggested or implied characters. ➡If your stimulus is visual, such as an image or photograph, focus on people depicted or implied in the scene. ➡If your stimulus is textual, such as a poem or story, consider the voices, perspectives, or figures described. ➡If your stimulus is abstract, such as an object or theme, imagine a person connected to it (e.g., someone who might own the object or embody the theme).

Have a group discussion and jot down any potential characters

Click here after your discussion

Exploring Levels

Everyone in your group will develop one character from your discussion. Treat your character like an archaeological dig. Jot down on a piece of paper as you work through the layers below.

Surface Details: What is explicitly suggested in the stimulus? (e.g., their appearance, actions, or immediate situation).

Backstory: What events in their past could have shaped who they are today? Where are they from? What experiences define their worldview?

Secrets and Vulnerabilities: What are they hiding from others or even themselves? What fears, regrets, or insecurities drive their actions?

Motivations and Goals: What do they want to achieve in life or in this moment? Are their goals practical or emotional?

Share you ideas with your group. After your discussion, click here

Character Profile

Compile the information you have developed about your character into a comprehensive character profile. Include: ➡Name, age, and other personal details. ➡Personality traits (e.g., introverted, ambitious, impulsive). ➡Relationships (e.g., family, friends, rivals). ➡Strengths, weaknesses, and emotional conflicts. ➡Symbolic or thematic roles they might play in your devised piece. ➡Physicality and voice (e.g., posture, gestures, accent, tone).

Create your character profile on a piece of paper or download and print the template above by clicking on it.

Once everyone is done, share your profiles with each other. And then...

Click on Bob's heart.

Submerged Section (Hidden Depths)

Dive into what lies beneath the surface—ideas, emotions, and meanings that aren’t immediately obvious. You should discuss and jot down: Themes and Subtext:

  • Identify underlying themes (e.g., "hope," "fear," "conflict").
  • Explore what the stimulus might symbolise or represent.
Emotions and Motivations:
  • What emotions are being suggested?
  • What might the characters (if any) be feeling or hiding?
  • What drives the actions or events on the surface?
Unspoken Messages:
  • What is left unsaid? What deeper story could be unfolding below?

TIPS

  • Build on others’ ideas by agreeing, adding new perspectives, or suggesting connections.
  • Avoid dismissing or criticising others’ contributions—focus on constructive collaboration.

GROUP DISCUSSION

Why These Words?

  • Why do these 10 words stand out to the group?
  • What drew you to these words emotionally, visually, or conceptually?
Connections Between Words:
  • Do any of the words relate to each other?
  • Are there patterns, themes, or contrasts? For example, do they share a mood (e.g., "dark," "calm") or suggest a story (e.g., "journey," "loss")?
Themes or Narratives:
  • Do the words suggest a story, atmosphere, or idea for a scene?
  • Could any of the words represent characters, settings, or conflicts?

Your task is to create 5 still images based on your explorations of your stimulus so far. You can consider:

Frozen Action: Performers "pause" in a specific position, as if caught in time. Use your explorations from Iceberg to generate ideas for your five still images. Expressive Body Language: Use posture, gestures, and facial expressions to convey meaning. Symbolism: The image often symbolises emotions, relationships, or key ideas in the drama. Proxemics and Levels: Experiment with a range of levels in your still images to represent status. Consider and use proxemics in your explorations, too. See the tips section for more details about proxemics.

Ouch!

Don't be discouraged, the adventure is not over yet! Take a moment to rest and try again. Remember every mistake is a learning opportunity that will bring you closer to victory. Cheer up, brave adventurer!

Don't give up!

even the greatest explorers faced unexpected challenges

Look deeper!

Work together as a team and keep going!

Don't give up!

even the greatest theatre companies face unexpected challenges

Ouch!

Don't be discouraged, the adventure is not over yet! Take a moment to rest and try again. Remember every mistake is a learning opportunity that will bring you closer to victory. Cheer up, brave adventurer!

Don't give up!

even the greatest explorers faced unexpected challenges

TOP TIP Use the Five Senses: Consider how the stimulus might look, sound, feel, smell, or taste. For example, if the stimulus is a photo of a forest, think of words like "rustle," "pine," or "fresh."

Objective: To encourage creative thinking, collaboration, and association-building while exploring a stimulus for drama work.

Mission Steps: Think and Brainstorm: Take a few minutes, either individually or as a group, to reflect on the stimulus. Then work together as a team to write down 50 (or more) words or phrases that come to mind. These could include emotions, objects, colours, themes, or ideas. Discuss and Highlight: As a group, review your list and highlight 10 words that resonate the most with your group. Discuss why these words stand out and what they mean to you as a group. Look for links or patterns between the 10 highlighted words. Are there any recurring themes, contrasts, or ideas that could inspire your next steps in devising? This process will help you uncover deeper meanings and creative directions for your performance.

TIP

Write down your group’s thoughts about what could be happening beneath the surface. Include:

  • Possible hidden themes or symbols.
  • Emotions or conflicts that aren’t immediately visible.
  • Any imagined backstory or underlying tension.

Nearly there?

Try and get to 50 if you can.

not too bad

EXPLORING PROXEMICS IN STILL IMAGES

Proxemics is the use of distance, positioning, and spatial relationships between performers to communicate character dynamics.

  • Intimate Zone: Reserved for close relationships like family, partners, or close friends. It can feel warm and trusting or invasive and threatening, depending on context.
  • Personal Zone: Common for friendly interactions or casual conversations.
  • Social Zone: Used for more formal or professional interactions, or between acquaintances.
  • Public Zone: Reflects detachment, observation, or addressing a group.

Tip of the Iceberg (Surface Level)

Discuss the following as a group and jot down your thoughts around the tip of the iceberg

Focus on what is immediately visible, obvious, or tangible in the stimulus. You should: Describe What You See or Hear: Events, actions, or objects present in the stimulus. Specific details like dialogue, setting, colours, or tone. Keywords and Phrases: Document surface-level associations (e.g., "storm," "argument," "light"). Include literal interpretations or first impressions. Questions About the Surface: What is happening? Who or what is involved? What is the mood or atmosphere? What seems most important at first glance?

woohoo!

Your missions are complete!

You have collected all of the Exploring Stimulus stamps for your devising passport, and your boarding pass for your next journey is ready.

Don't freeze up

Don't be discouraged; take a moment to review the task and the tips. Discuss your ideas first and then jot them down around your iceberg.

PUSH FORWARD

WHAT IS A SOUNDSCAPE?

A soundscape is a technique that uses voices to create atmospheric sounds that represent locations, environments, or moods in a play. It can be created solely with vocal sounds, but it may also include body percussion, percussion instruments or everyday objects to enhance the auditory experience and make the scene more immersive.

Ouch!

Don't be discouraged, the adventure is not over yet! Take a moment to think deeper and try again. Remember this can be a learning opportunity that will bring you closer to victory.

Don't give up!