Exploring Viewpoints
Exploring Viewpoints
EXPLORING VIEWPOINTS
Instructor
ERIN CARR
Materials
Video modules, Handouts, Transcripts, MP3 Files, PDF of
Powerpoint Slides, Completion Certificate
Course length
11 modules
3 hours, 28 minutes of video
5 credit hours
Course Description
Viewpoints is used to create dynamic moments of theatre by simply existing on the stage. However, Viewpoints is more than
just an acting technique to understand your own physicality and more than a directing technique to create “ah-ha!” moments
on stage. It is first and foremost the philosophy that to create an organic performance, you must see obstacle as opportunity,
and that by simply standing in space, your creativity can spark.
This course by Erin Carr will help your students discover fresh impulses that motivate their performance in the moment. We
will go through the Viewpoints technique, as created by Mary Overlie, and learn how to tap into kinesthetic awareness as
individuals and as an ensemble. Through this style of play, students learn to release their thoughts on what they “should” do,
and instead just respond organically to their surroundings and ensemble!
We’re going to break down each of the Viewpoints, there’s lots of visual demonstration, so you can see each Viewpoint in
action, and I’m going to provide tips and side coaching examples.
Course Curriculum
Lesson 0: Overview 3:21 Lesson 6: Space 38:20
This lesson gives an overview of the course and what is covered This lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Space, and students
in each module. learn how to introduce spatial relationship, topography, and
architecture.
Lesson 1: Introduction 8:06
This lesson introduces the technique of Viewpoints and ways to Lesson 7: Open Viewpoints Session 16:45
apply it in the classroom. This lesson introduces what an Open Viewpoints session might
look like, and the benefits of taking this time to combine the
Lesson 2: History & Terminology 9:13 Viewpoints.
This lesson reviews the history of Viewpoints and some of the
terminology used with this technique. Lesson 8: Scene Work 24:59
This lesson introduces the use of Viewpoints in scene work.
Lesson 3: Warm-ups 20:52
Lesson 3 takes you through some of the warm-ups inspired by Lesson 9: Review 4:59
Viewpoints for both individuals and ensembles. This final lesson reviews how the Viewpoints technique is used,
and where you can continue to take this work.
Lesson 4: Time 17:05
This lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Time, and students BONUS Lesson: Distance Learning Option 26:22
learn how to introduce tempo, kinesthetic response, duration and Erin Carr and Lindsay Price discuss how to use the Viewpoints
repetition. course for distance learning.
Grade 8 - Performing
Florida Sunshine State Standards TA8.PR.1 - Act by communicating and sustaining roles in
Critical Thinking & Reflection formal and informal environments., a. Demonstrate the
TH.912.C.1.5 - Make and defend conscious choices in the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a
creation of a character that will fulfill anticipated audience character in different types of theatre performances (e.g.
response. rate, pitch, volume, inflection, posture, facial expression,
TH.912.C.2.7 - Accept feedback from others, analyze it for motivation, physical movement)., b. Demonstrate appropriate
validity, and apply suggestions appropriately to future ensemble skills throughout a performance., c. Use
performances or designs. appropriate listening and response skills during
TH.912.C.2.8 - Improve a performance or project using performances.
various self-assessment tools, coaching, feedback, and/or
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV
constructive criticism.
-Performing
Organizational Structure TAHSAD.PR.1 - Act and direct by communicating and
TH.912.O.2.2 - Perform a scene or monologue in a non- sustaining roles within a variety of situations and
traditional way that stays true to its dramatic structure and environments., a. Examine and implement the skills and tasks
can be justified within the script. associated with acting, incorporating voice, body,
observation, and imagination to create characters for formal
Skills, Techniques & Processes and informal performances., b. Implement the duties of the
TH.912.S.3.3 - Develop acting skills and techniques in the stage manager, including communication and safety
rehearsal process. procedures, that will assist the director in all areas of
production., c. Develop a schedule and organizational plan to
prepare a scene for performance, including a rehearsal
Georgia Performance Standards - schedule and a prompt script., d. Conduct rehearsals and
Theatre Arts present a full theatrical presentation to a live audience.
Grade 6 - Creating Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV
TA6.CR.1 - Organize, design, and refine theatrical work., a. - Creating
Identify artistic choices, utilize theatre vocabulary, and TAHSFT.CR.1 - Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.,
demonstrate non-verbal communication skills in the rehearsal a. Recognize and/or employ realistic and conventional speech
process., b. Interpret a character’s motivation by patterns within dialogue or dramatic verse., b. Incorporate
understanding the relationship between their background and dramatic elements through improvisation., c. Recognize and
their behavior., c. Identify the variety of relationships between interpret artistic choices in performance.
characters., d. Identify, define, and classify character traits.,
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone,
- Performing articulation, and vocal expression.
TAHSFT.PR.1 - Act by communicating and sustaining roles in B.C.2.1 - Use improvisation and acting skills, such as
formal and informal environments., a. Observe and observation, concentration, and characterization in a variety
demonstrate aspects of verbal and non-verbal techniques in of theatre exercises.
common human activity for performance (e.g. voice, B.C.2.2 - Interpret various selections of dramatic literature
breathing, posture, facial expression, physical movement)., b. through formal and informal presentations.
Construct and interpret artistic choices in performance
including the objectives, decisions, and actions of characters., Beginning High School Standards - Culture
c. Explore various acting methods and techniques (e.g. B.CU.2.1 - Illustrate appropriate theatre etiquette as a
Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, sense memory, emotional recall) for member of an audience, as a performer, and as a technician.
the purpose of character development., d. Perform acting B.CU.2.2 - Use acting conventions, such as stage presence,
choices for an audience based on critiques. subtext, style, and ensemble work, to perform formal or
informal works.
North Carolina Essential Standards Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
2024 I.C.1.1 - Use non-verbal expression to illustrate how human
motivations are prompted by physical and emotional needs.
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through I.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone,
improvised and scripted activities. articulation, and vocal expression appropriately to theatrical
texts, such as monologues and scenes.
B.CR.2.1 - Adapt theatrical works using personal
experiences through a collaborative process. I.C.2.1 - Use improvisation and acting skills, such as
observation, concentration, and characterization, to
Beginning High School Present demonstrate given situations.
B.PR.1.2 - Communicate characters, situations, and I.C.2.2 - Interpret scenes through formal and informal
scenarios using body and voice while adhering to staging presentations.
conventions.
B.PR.2.1 - Develop scripted or devised theatre for Proficient High School Standards - Communication
presentation. P.C.1.1 - Use non-verbal expression and physical self-
awareness to communicate movement elements and
B.PR.2.2 - Demonstrate appropriate theatre audience
characterization, including size, weight, and rate of
behavior with the understanding of the impact on performers
movement.
and technicians.
P.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone,
B.PR.2.4 - Identify the responsibilities of a performer in a
articulation, and vocal expression to develop characters.
variety of theatrical venues.
P.C.2.1 - Use improvisation and acting skills, such as
Intermediate High School Create observation, concentration, and characterization, to create
I.CR.1.1 - Develop a variety of unique characters within extended scenes.
given situations through improvisation.
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
Intermediate High School Present A.C.1.1 - Use non-verbal expression and physical self-
I.PR.1.2 - Apply staging conventions to formal and informal awareness to communicate movement elements and
theatrical productions by employing vocal and physical acting characterization, including differentiation between multiple
techniques. characters.
I.PR.2.1 - Develop scenes for formal or informal A.C.2.2 - Interpret scripts through formal and informal
presentations. presentations.