I have been heading a Drama Club at the Lacey United Methodist Church since September of 2019. The kids were amazing in their first live performance of "Straight Outta Bethlehem." Their next performance in front of the congregation will be during Easter week. I have been introducing the participants to different acting techniques. The one that seems to baffle them is the Repetition Exercise that originated from the Meisner Acting Technique. Basically, this method has the actor focusing on the other actor instead of themselves.
The way this exercise works is that two actors face each other with their eyes closed. When they first open their eyes, one of them has to state the first thing they notice about the other actor. For example, the actor may say, "You have very curly hair." At that point, the other actor responds, "I have very curly hair." Then, they continue by repeating this statement back and forth. With students that range in age from six to thirteen, it is not uncommon for them to giggle during this exercise. The expressions on the face of those not participating is one of wonder also.
This exercise may seem silly to them now because I have just started incorporating this into our sessions, however, I am noticing a great improvement in their acting skills. While I watch them come up with interesting phrases about the other actors, I also notice how their emphasis changes on certain words as they become more comfortable with their exercise partner. It has also been a great tool in teaching them how to listen to a scene partner. So, they may be confused right now as to why I am making them do this, but in the long run they are going to develop a natural reaction as to how they should respond to a fellow actor in a particular scene.