Mandala Theatre Company – Creative Challenge 1 Creating Characters from ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins; Led by Yasmin Sidhwa with Anusha Abbas What would you say if you were in ‘The Hunger Games’? Taking this famous story as a stimulus – imagine you are one of the characters, you will become the character and create your own dramatic monologue or speech. Step 1 – Read out or Listen to – the Rules of the Hunger Games “The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising that took place against the Capitol, each of the twelve districts must provide one boy and one girl, called tributes, to participate. You become eligible for the reaping the day you turn twelve. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins”. Today is the first reaping for Katniss Everdeen’s little sister Primrose. Everyone in the district must attend the reaping in the town square. It’s time for the drawing. The presenter goes to the first glass ball containing the names of the girls, she reaches in, digs her hand deep into the ball. And pulls out a slip of paper. “She smoothes out the slip of paper and reads out the name – It’s Primrose Everdeen”. Step 2 – If you were 16 and your sister was 12 and had just been picked to fight in an arena to the death, but you knew you could volunteer in her place, to save her – what would you be feeling? What would you do? Step 3 – Create a photograph, frozen picture or statue with your body of how you are feeling – (Watch the example of Anusha demonstrating what she might feel if she was the character of Primrose, Katniss’ sister and she will create her statue image). Step 4 – From the statue position you are in imagine what thoughts might be going through Katniss’ head. Step 5 – Say the words out loud and record them on your phone or write them down. (Remember that your sister is only 12, but if you volunteer you might die). Step 6 – End your speech or monologue with an action – do you stand up and volunteer or do you turn away as they take your sister? Take up your final position. (make a 2nd statue or photograph) (You can watch Anusha demonstrate what she decided to say and do as Primrose). Step 7 – Send us a recording of your speech or monologue and a photo of you as Katniss.
Have fun!
