Spring into Creative Collaboration with Art & Stories

by Norah Vawter

Spring is almost here, and at CARE Actor we're really excited. All these new possibilities in the air! Registration is open for spring classes, as well as spring break and summer camps, so we're definitely looking forward to the new season. As always, we're inspired by what our kiddos are getting up to in class. Our theme of the month is TEAMWORK/COOPERATION, and we see a lot of that happening spontaneously in class.
 
It’s not difficult to find improv games that highlight teamwork. In fact, I can’t think of a game that doesn’t require teamwork, cooperation, or collaboration. I just read this great article on the value of acting classes for both kids and adults, and was reminded that "the first rule of improvisation is 'yes, and,' meaning that anyone’s contribution to the group discussion is accepted without judgment." In the words of a student quoted in this article: “When you’re performing, it’s not competitive . . . . Improv helps you change on the inside.” If this girl wasn’t doing improv? “I would be a more scared and quiet person. . . . I wouldn’t be the same person.”

Photo credit: CARE Actor

Recently I wrote about an improv game called “Walking Blind,” where one student is blindfolded and led around the room by a partner. The partners can’t talk, communicating by touch alone. I wasn’t counting on my kids being so good at communicating without talking, or so thoughtful to each other. One boy came up with an elaborate system, tapping his partner’s right shoulder to turn right, his left to turn left, pulling back to stop his partner. His partner figured it out almost immediately. They were almost giddy in their excitement to explain how it had worked. A pair of girls looked disappointed, saying they’d done nothing that “cool.” But I’d seen them turning right, left, stopping, just like the boys. After discussing the game some more, they realized they’d communicated just as effectively, though their “system” was more intuitive.
 
Getting in the Mood to Collaborate
 
You may already have plans for projects to do as a family as the weather warms up. Spring cleaning, anyone? Maybe a garden you’ll plant together? Maybe you’ve hoping to not drive each other crazy on that eight-hour road trip? We know. We’ve been there. Whatever the project, we wish you well. And, we’ve got some artistic collaborations that might help you find your groove.
 
This time we’re sharing four variations on one basic idea. Creating art together. Whether you produce a drawing, collage, or story, talk about how it felt to collaborate. Was it hard or frustrating to see someone taking your idea and changing it? Or freeing? Were you surprised how the drawings/collages/stories turned out? Was anyone leading?
What was it like to mesh different artistic or storytelling styles together? Could you have created this by yourself?

Photo credit: CARE Actor

Creative Collaboration: Drawing
 
Supplies:

• Paper
• Pencils/Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils

 
Directions

1. Give a piece of paper to each participant. Everyone draws. Draw anything you like. Keep up for about two minutes.
2. Pass to your left. Continue the drawing of whoever started yours, for another two minutes.
3. Continue passing and adding to the drawing until everyone has had a chance to contribute to each drawing. If your kiddos are really into this, keep going as long as you like.

 
Creative Collaborations: Collage
 
Supplies

• Large paper
• Glue, glue stick or clear tape
• Cut-up or torn-up paper

 

1. As a family, create a collage. Choose one image to work on together: a garden, family portrait, etc.
2. Keep going as long as the kids are interested and until you feel like your group project is complete.
   

Photo credit: CARE Actor

Creative Collaborations: Improv Game
“One Word at a Time”
 
Supplies
– Just your group and their imaginations
 

1. Tell a story collaboratively by telling it one word at a time. (This game, mentioned in the article above, is a classic improv game played all over the place.)
2. Sit in a circle. One person starts by saying a word. Go to your left. The next person continues with just one word. Continue until everyone has gone at least once.
3. You may end the story when each member of your group has said one word or keep going.
4. Variation: “One sentence at a time.” Play the same way, but allow each member to say one sentence each turn.

 
Creative Collaborations: Writing Stories
 
Supplies

• Lined paper
• Pencils

 

1. If you have a young child who isn’t writing yet, pair him or her up with an older kid or adult.
2. Everyone writes at the same time. All begin by writing one sentence.
3. Pass to your left. Continue the story by adding one sentence. Continue until everyone has contributed at least one sentence to each story. You can end here, or continue.
4. Read aloud.
5. Variation: Contribute one paragraph at a time, instead of one sentence at a time. (This is good for a smaller group or kids who get more invested in the story.)
6. Variation: As you pass the papers, fold so that each person can only see the last entry. This produces particularly hilarious and disjointed stories.

 
We would love to hear about your experiences with collaboration at home! If you try out any of these projects, please let us know how they turn out for you. And definitely share your own ideas and things that have worked for you. Sound off in the comments section below. Share your tips and tricks with us on social media and use hashtags #careactorkids and #collaboratewithcare! Your idea just might be featured!

Happy collaborating!