SLEEPY COWBOY
CURTAINS UP ACTING STUDIO
SLEEPY COWBOY: A DRAMA GAME FOR KIDS
Creating Instant Characters
Students spontaneously create characters based on a single adjective and a randomly assigned vocation
in this theater exercise that develops improvisation skills and encourages bold, committed acting choices.
Watch a Demonstration of
Sleepy Cowboy drama Game:
Step-by-Step Instructions
On a collection of paper slips, write the names of jobs or character types, e.g., “cowboy,” “fireman,” “teacher,” “toddler” etc.
On a second collection of slips, write descriptive adjectives, e.g. “sleepy,” “angry,” “frightened,” “happy” etc.
Put the character slips in one box, bag, or plastic cup; and put the descriptive slips in a separate box, bag, or plastic cup.
Invite the students, one at a time, to draw one slip from each container. The student must look at the two words and 1) walk to the center of the stage as the character described by the words, and 2) deliver a line or two as that character. For example, if the student draws the words “Sleepy Cowboy,” they might walk tiredly with a bow legged stride, and then say–with a big yawn–”Git along little doggie…cause it’s time for bed!”
List of Jobs and Character Types:
Cowboy/Cowgirl, Firefighter, Police Officer, Teacher, Doctor, Dentist, Soldier, Dancer, Artist, Singer, Football Player, Toddler, Old Man, Old Woman, Teenager, Detective, Homeless Person, Veterinarian, Rock Star, Movie Star, Spy, Chef, Superhero, News Reporter, Model, Scientist, Pilot, Librarian, Coach, Judge, Janitor, Waiter/Waitress, Carpenter, Truck Driver
List of Adjectives:
Sleepy, Angry, Scared, Happy, Loving, Shy, Energetic, Confused, Brave, Athletic, Calm, Cheerful, Bold, Curious, Dramatic, Sad, Enthusiastic, Excitable, Forceful, Friendly, Gentle, Humble, Kind, Passionate, Patient, Playful, Perfectionist, Relaxed, Crazy, Sensitive, Giggly, Weeping, Conceited, Bullying
MORE DRAMA GAMES AND THEATER ACTIVITIES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
BODY WALK - Students explore creating characters by walking with different body parts leading their movement CHARACTER PAINTING - Three character qualities are “painted” on an actor, who then demonstrates them
HITCHHIKER - Actors pretending to ride in a car pick up the character quirks of one hitchhiker after another
Curtains Up Curriculum by Friends of the Groom Theater Co. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Curtains Up is a training program designed for young actors sponsored by Friends of the Groom Theater Company.
It is available to the general public for free under the terms of the Creative Commons License above.