Role-play builds confidence and communication skills, and it can be used to explore the options available to young adults after compulsory education. This next activity is aimed at people who have dropped out of school, as a way of reflecting on their future.
Duration:
1 hour, depending on the number of participants.
Preferred location:
this activity can be made both outside and inside.
Working method:
teamwork, and communication through theatrical acting (groups of maximum 5 people).
Materials:
scenario cards, pens, and paper.
Purpose:
improving communication in groups, improving teamwork, reflecting on options for the future.
Instructions
- divide the participants into groups of 5;
- then, hand each group a scenario card, which they must use to create a short role-play; the only rule is that all members of the group must take part in this;
- make paper and pens available for planning and allow 20 minutes for the groups to plan and practice their scenarios, before bringing everyone back together;
- allocate a section of the room for the stage and another as the seating area for the audience;
- invite the groups to perform their role-play for the others in turns;
- stress that the audience has an important role too – they should be listening and responding appropriately to what is happening on the stage; applaud after each group has finished and ask the audience if they have any questions or comments.
Possible scenarios:
Your group is waiting to collect their exam results from school and most of you think you have passed them all. Well done! Another young person joins your group. This person hated school and did not come in for all the exams. He/she tells the rest of the group that qualifications and education are a waste of time – life is too short and is for having fun. Where will these people be in 5 years?
A young person is being interviewed for a job with a major record company. It is a trainee post and while it will be the young person’s first job, they are confident that they have the required skills. The interviewing panel is made up of the marketing director, a DJ, a recording artist, and the designer that the trainee would be working for. Conduct the interview and decide the outcome.
A group of young people is planning a gap after high school. Several of them plan to travel together to Australia and are talking about ways to fund the trip and the route they should take to get there. Others want to go too but don’t think their parents will let them. Together, the young people draw up a list of reasons why they should be allowed to travel and what the benefits of a gap year are.
Debriefing
after the activity is completed, have a short debriefing to reflect on and close the activity together with all the participants. The following questions can be asked:
- how did you feel during the activity?
- could you relate to any of the scenarios?
- how was it for you to collaborate with your team?
- how can you relate this activity to your life?
Possible alternatives
relate the scenario cards to technical jobs that can be done without a university degree to show participants possible options for the future and perhaps spark their interest.