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In a Nutshell:
Students participate in a Reader’s Theatre of the eco-theatre
script, “On Thinning Ice,” and then discuss issues
addressed in the script. “On Thinning Ice” uses drama
and humour to examine the causes and possible consequences of
climate change in the north. Ideally, after reading and discussing
the script, your class will want to stage the production for
your school or community. |
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Introduction to Lesson Plan:
“Big” topics such as climate change and its potential
consequences can often seem overwhelming – or even frightening – to
young people. This feeling of being overwhelmed all too often
leads to denial of what is happening, and/or the inability to
make choices and take actions which could help bring about constructive
change.
“Popular theatre” is an approach that can help make “heavy” topics
less intimidating, and therefore easier to think about in constructive
ways. It relies on the drama and humour of “story” and
on showing rather than telling (or lecturing!). Popular theater
is theatre “for the people, by the people.” No theatre
experience is necessary, and everyone is encouraged to participate
in the story. Eco-theatre is, of course, popular theatre with
an environmental theme.
“On Thinning Ice” is a skit that was written to
show the causes and possible consequences of climate change in
the north. Like Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas
Carol, Eddie Buyer is taken by a ghost to visit various scenes
in the past, present, and future, where he comes to terms with
the potentially serious consequences of climate change, and his
own role in causing – or reducing it.
In this activity, students perform a Readers’ Theatre
version of the skit, then reflect on and discuss ideas and issues
addressed in the story. If you and your class are willing to
take the time and effort to stage a full theatre production as
an enrichment activity, it can be a most powerful way to help
inform, educate, and entertain larger audiences in your school
or community.
As preparation, read the skit to get a feel for the story, characters,
and length of time needed to read through the whole script, as
well as the following sections:
- From beginning of script to, but not including, the scientists’ press
conference
- The scientists’ press conference scene
- From the end of the
scientists’ press conference to the
end of the play
Then read through the discussion questions for each section,
provided in the Question and Answer Key below.
For the main activity, you will need to decide how to organize
your class time for the Readers Theatre, reflection, and discussion.
Depending on the length of your classes, you will likely need
1–3 periods. One approach is to use one full class session
to read through the whole skit, and the following class session(s)
to discuss it. Another is to spread the reading of the skit over
several classes so that reading of a section can be followed
immediately with discussion.
Download and make copies of the student
handout, the script
for “On Thinning Ice.” |
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About the Author:
Hello, my name is Marianne Bromley. I’m an educator working
in the areas of environmental and culture-based education. I’ve
lived in Yellowknife for 21 years.
I’d almost burned out working on environmental issues – until
I discovered eco-theatre.
I’ve played a mother (in this play), a rich arrogant corporate
woman, a Music Channel host, and a hermit thrush. I look forward
to future roles.
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Introduce
the skit and the concept of eco-theatre.
