Choosing Your Devising Stimuli
Every devised piece starts with a spark. Learn the four kinds of stimulus, the rules about what you can and cannot use, and how to pick one that will give your group plenty of ideas.
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Start with a spark 🎭
In Component 1 you and your group create an ORIGINAL piece of drama. It all begins with a stimulus, a starting point that gives you ideas. This module covers the four kinds of stimulus, the rules about what you may use, and how to choose one that works.
Words to know 🔑
Four terms run through this topic. Learn them first.
What can you use? ⚖️
Some things make a good stimulus; others are not allowed.
Know the rules 💡
A stimulus must NOT cause racial, religious or gender offence. It must NOT itself be a performance text, that is a play script, or a recording of live theatre. Your piece has to be your own original work, so the stimulus is a spark, not a script to copy.
Match the stimulus type 🔗
- Textual
- Visual
- Aural
- Abstract
- A poem, an article or a quotation
- A picture, a photograph or a painting
- A piece of music or a sound
- An idea, a theme or a concept
Which is aural? 🎵
Which of these is an example of an aural stimulus?
- A piece of music
- A printed poem
- A painting
- The idea of loss
Match the term 🔀
- Devising
- Stimulus
- Performer route
- Designer route
- Creating an original piece of drama
- A starting point that inspires the piece
- Taking part as an actor in the piece
- Contributing costume, lighting, set or sound
What is not allowed? ✅
Which TWO of these are NOT allowed as a devising stimulus? Choose all that apply.
- A published play script
- A recording of live theatre
- An original poem
- A photograph
How devising begins 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the sentences 🧩
In Component 1 you create an original piece by _____ from a _____. A poem is a _____ stimulus, a painting is a _____ stimulus, and a piece of music is an _____ stimulus.
Why not a play script? 🎯
Why must a devising stimulus not be a published play script?
- Because the devised piece must be your own original work
- Because play scripts are always too short
- Because play scripts cost too much to buy
- Because scripts are never interesting
Spot the allowed stimuli 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Sort the stimulus 🧭
An interactive activity.
Choose a stimulus ✍️
An interactive activity.