Shadow Play Story in Scenes
The class performs a short story as a shadow play: each group prepares one scene with bodies and cardstock cutouts, and all scenes are linked with a narrator and music. Students work on group composition, story sequencing, and body expression.
How to play
- Read a short story or legend with 5 scenes (2 minutes) and make 5 groups of 5; each group gets one scene.
- Each group plans its scene for 4 minutes: who narrates, which characters appear, and which cardstock cutouts it needs (tree, moon, house).
- Build and rehearse for 10 minutes: groups cut out their shapes and take 2-minute turns rehearsing behind the sheet while the others practice in place.
- Agree on transitions in 2 minutes: the light goes off for 3 seconds between scenes and each scene starts with the music.
- Perform the full story scene by scene, with one narrator per group (8 minutes).
- Final 4-minute reflection: each group points out one moment from another group that worked especially well.
Rules
- One assigned student runs the light, and it is never moved while on.
- Enter and exit behind the sheet from one set side to avoid collisions.
- Scissors are used sitting down and are collected before rehearsal.
- Respect others' work: the audience stays quiet during scenes.
Variations
Easier
The teacher narrates the whole story and groups only perform the images.
Standard
Each group narrates and performs its own scene with bodies and cutouts.
Harder
No narration: the story is told only through shadows, music, and body sound effects.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: narrator, light technician, or cutout puppeteer from a chair.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher signals transitions with the light going off and agreed hand signs.
- Advanced students: serve as stage manager, coordinating timing between scenes.
Learning goals
- Create an expressive group scene combining body and props.
- Organize a story into clear, well-linked sequences.
- Take on different roles within a group production.
Equipment for a class of 25
- white sheet: 1
- spotlight or lamp: 1
- cardstock: 20
- music
Teacher tip
Pick a story with little dialogue and lots of visual action. Have dark cardstock precut to letter size to save time, and tape off the usable area behind the sheet on the floor.
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