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A participant brought a script to group, already written.  AMAZING!!!

• The level of commitment this young person has to this group is outstanding!!!
• This child is thinking about social skills outside of group and is applying them.  YAY!!!
• Showing ability to take a risk with their own creativity and sharing it!

Values behind the playwriting process are:

• Skits can always be made better.
• Make the skit understandable and simple enough for the audience
• Allow others to try characters and input their characterizations

Challenges of this process:

• Author of original script may have difficulty letting go of his or her ideas
• Listening to accept criticism in order to help script flow
• Allowing others ideas to be merged with original ideas, as those are not the author’s ideas but someone else’s ideas.
• Allowing characters to be somewhat different than envisioned.

As I have guided my group through graduated exposure of the playwriting process, my participants were ready for the next level.   They had first practiced skits written by other kids their age, in order to learn the format and gain the confidence.  Our group then went through the brainstorming process and utilized each others ideas as building blocks, then created plays together.  Next, the group members have been encouraged to write on their own, which brings a whole new challenge to the idea of being socially flexible and willing to accept criticism to make something even better.  As a group, we went through the entire process together, and this group member showed readiness to move onto the next stage of being able to open up to criticism for an even better play.

It is SO difficult for children on the spectrum and who have social deficits to do this.  But, my youngster has been so open to this challenge.  Simply amazing.  Here’s the finalized script, which included collaboration between four youngsters, with my guidance.

The Small Change

By Social Theatre Spring season 2017

Characters

Dave

Dave’s mom

Billy

Narrator

Narrator-One day there were 2 friends, Billy and Dave. They were at School, packing up for the end of the school day.

Dave-Billy, are you still coming over to my house after school?

Billy-yes!  I can’t wait!

Dave- I’m just dialing my mom to make sure she knows we are on our way home.

(pause as he dials phone)  Mom?  Hi.  Billy and I are walking home from school now.

Mom– (on other side of stage, back to Dave and Billy)  Yes, I am expecting both of you home soon.  Billy’s mom called and he actually has to go to golf practice.  His mom asked us to drop him off there.

Dave– WHAT!!!I PLANNED EVERYTHING OUT AND THIS IS WHAT I GET?! NO FAIR! NO FAIR!! Once we finally plan and get to play together, now we have to drive him to golf practice?  What happened to me getting to play with my friend?  That’s SO WRONG, Mom!!!!  (Tantrum type of behavior–throws down backpack, yelling, etc.)

Billy– feeling awkward, looking at Dave, not knowing what to say.

Narrator-FREEZE!!

What’s going on here?

What does the mom feel?  What does Billy feel?

Is this a small problem or just a little change?  Correct! This is a “Little change” and a small problem.  Dave should try to be flexible and relax so he can problem-solve.

What can Dave do?

GREAT Idea!!!  Let’s see what Dave will do!  UNFREEZE!!

Dave-I’m so sorry I over reacted, I’ll reschedule.  Billy and I can hang out another day.

Dave’s mom-That sounds good. See you when you get home.

Dave and Billy are still walking home.

Dave-let’s hang out this Saturday.

Billy-OK!

Billy and Dave arrive at Dave’s house, go in and say his to Dave’s mom.  

Dave-Hi, mom!

Billy-Hi, Mrs. Schmave!

Mom– Hi!  Are you guys ready?  Billy, we have to get you to golf practice!

They all walk off stage together.