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[[underlined]]HOW TO DO ROLE PLAYING[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]]What does it mean?[[/underlined]]

When a few people act out a situation, without rehearsal or props, it is called role playing. Each person plays the role of a character involved in some problem, trying in a few minutes to make more clear how such a person feels and acts. 

[[underlined]]What's the Idea?[[/underlined]]

The idea or purpose of role playing is to increase our understanding of why people act as they do and of ways to change.  Acting out a problem makes it much clearer both to the actors and the watchers.

[[underlined]]How Do You Set Up Role Playing?[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]]This is not a production.[[/underlined]]  You don't need to "know how to act." You just need sympathy and imagination.  You will be surprised how well almost everyone can carry through the role. 

[[underlined]]Keep it informal and simple.[[/underlined]] Don't try to make a big drama of this -- keep it casual and fun.  Don't try to use any more furniture, costumes, etc.m than are easy and naturally at hand. Spontaniety and imagination are chief tools.

[[underlined]]Have a clear outline.[[/underlined]] Either the players or the entire group should determine this general structure.

    Main point of the situation
    Roles to be played by whom
    Where to begin
    Important points to include
    How to end. (often done by leader "Cutting" the action as soon as the point has been made.)

    Be spontaneous - Keep in character. Plan the scene but don't rehearse. Actors make up the lines and actions as they go along.  They try to stay in [[underlined]]their role[[/underlined]] until the episode ends.

    [[underlined]]Analyze feelings.[[/underlined]] Let characters tell how they felt; let watchers suggest ways to change feelings and behavior, then play the scene again. 

[[underlined]]Buzz Groups[[/underlined]]

Buzz groups are particularly fruitful in getting a sampling of ideas and opinions. They are not aimed at achieving full discussion in themselves.  They give every member an opportunity to "free associate" with others about the subject material, to ponder it, to search her own mind and contribute indirectly to the discussion. 

In using the buzz groups it is essential that the group to be told of the method of the details of how to proceed just after breaking into the buzz groups.The best results are usually obtained by breaking into a small group, 6-8 or 10 members, either by asking people sitting near each other to move their chairs into a circle or by asking three or four people in one row to turn around and talk with the three or for immediately behind them.  One person in each group serves as reporter.  This method assures that every person takes an active part in the meeting.