Improvisation Techniques for Tutor Training

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Improvisation Techniques for Tutor Training

• Viola Spolin Meets Augusto Boal

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Outcomes

• Create self awareness about physicality
• Open discussion about the power dynamic in the
  tutor/tutee relationship
• Reinforce concept that the tutoring utilizes a
  similar skill set as improvisation
• Listening
• Self awareness
• Ability to respond truthfully in the moment
• Ability to react to new information in a flash

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Quick Improv 1

• Divide into two groups Red and Blue.
• Pretend your at a dinner party.
• Red group members Avoid eye contact with anyone
  you talk to.

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Variation

• Red Group You can now make eye contact
• Blue Group Make big, exaggerated gestures as you
  speak.

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Variation 2

• Red Group You can only speak very softly.
• Blue Group You are normal.

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Exercise Two

• Get into pairs
• Scenario One of you is a parent. The other is a
  principal at a school. Your having a conference
  about the parents child. Agree on the roles you
  will play.
• One of you should be from an upper middle class
  background while the other should be from a lower
  class background.
• Role play

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Variation

• Now switch class roles. Keep in mind that you
  will retain your role as parent or principal.
  Your socioeconomic class is just changing.

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Reflection

• What did you learn about the relationship between
  physicality and authority?
• What strategies can you use to create a more
  neutral or balanced relationship?
• Do you see the relationship between tutoring and
  improvisation? How? How not?