The Hitchhiker

Group work with guidance.

3 chairs for the actors

The facilitator arranges the 3 chairs, two next to each other and one behind the other two, all facing the audience. He makes sure the group is sitting close to the chairs, either on the floor or in chairs, theatre-style. This exercise is best presented with three volunteers, ideally, who have been prepared for the activity in advance.

About 15 minutes.

This exercise can feel like a big emotional risk for some participants because they are acting in front of the group. The facilitator needs to allow anyone who does not want to play the freedom to choose not to play, but encourage them to join. Tell them to follow their impulses. Tell them: “Anything works, all you have to do is bring in your idea and it is up to the passengers in the car to make it interesting”. Moreover, the exercise requires heavy directing in terms of positive coaching. People are scared and need encouragement. The trainer keeps encouraging and checking in with the people who are not participating; often they want to participate but just can’t find the right moment to join. It is critical that this be a fast-paced activity, with lots of switches of people in the car.

• Spolin, V. 1983. Improvisation for the Theatre. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press.
  Handbook of improvisational activities for skill-building and theatrical exploration.
• Bowell, P. and B. Heap. 2001. Planning Process Drama. London: David Fulton.
  An introduction to planning process drama. Simple, thoughtful, and enthusiastic.
• Boal, A. 1992. Games for Actors and Non-actors. New York: Routledge. A source for unique games and in-depth explanation of theatre work.

Through this method/action, these benefits are achieved:

• Understanding/reading different emotions
• Improvement of communication and self-esteem
• Encouragement of teamwork, self and group awareness
• Heightened sensitivity to others and to social-emotional cues
• Enhancement of self-knowledge by raising awareness of our inner monologues and directives

Step 1

The trainer pointing to the three chairs asks the participants to imagine the car. Really physicalize the space - this means walk up to the chairs and “draw” the outline of the car, point out the front and back seat, etc. The driver has to drive, and the passenger has to utilize the space as well.

Step 2

Anyone who enters this special car brings with him a certain quality, emotion, feeling, style, and infects the whole car with this particular trait. Participants have to raise their hand and they can have a chance to ride along for a while. Once a hitchhiker is picked up, all members who remain in the car pick up this quality or emotion.

Step 3

Every time a hitchhiker is picked up, the driver rotates out and becomes part of the active audience. The previous hitchhiker becomes the front seat passenger (moves to the passenger’s seat), and the previous passenger becomes the driver (moves to the driver’s seat).

Step 4

It is time for a new hitchhiker as soon as the previous hitchhiker has established his quality and all members of the car have created this quality/energy in their person i.e. their voice, body, face.

Anna Etiaridou

https://www.omadaplani.gr/

Anna Etiaridou is an actress, director and playwright.

She is a founding member of the "Plani" Group and has directed and performed in numerous works of the classical and contemporary repertoire.

Since 2001 she has been teaching acting and in 2004 she founded the Theater Workshop "Periplanisi".

She has written several plays, translated foreign authors and made several theatrical adaptations.

Her motto:

"We don't do Theater to judge, but to understand people..."

Performing Arts

Greek, English