20 Starters for Three Sisters (Chekhov) –
Year 11 (By Erick Mukiira)
Performance / Practical Starters
1. Chekhovian Pause Game – Students act out a short conversation but must include
3 meaningful pauses, exploring subtext.
2. Emotional Posture – Each student enters the room as one of the sisters, showing
mood through posture, pace, gesture.
3. “Posh People” Role Play – Natasha vs. “posh” sisters: improvise 30 seconds
showing status differences.
4. Subtext Circle – In a circle, students say neutral lines (e.g., “It’s your birthday”), but
use different emotions to show hidden meanings.
5. Silent Scene – Play a short extract (pages 1–3). Perform it without words, only
gesture & movement. Reflect on what changes.
6. Object as Moscow – Bring in a prop to represent Moscow. Students must interact
with it (longing, rejecting, protecting).
7. Overlapping Voices – Groups read lines simultaneously, overlapping, to explore the
rhythm/chaos of Act 1 conversations.
8. Freeze-Frame to Monologue – Groups create a still image from Act 1, then one
character speaks an improvised inner monologue.
9. Energy Shifts – Run the “Zip Zap Zop” but replace with “Moscow, Boredom, Hope”
to keep Chekhov themes in play.
10.Accent Play – Quick exercise where students try out subtle Russian or neutral
“classical” accents while reading a few lines.
Written Paper Prep Starters (0411)
11.15-Mark Speed Answer – Pick one past-paper style Q (e.g., “How could you use
voice to show Irina’s youth?”). 5 min written sprint.
12.Design Challenge Sketch – Students sketch a quick set design (lighting or
costume) for the Prozorov house. 3 minutes only.
Year 11 (By Erick Mukiira)
Performance / Practical Starters
1. Chekhovian Pause Game – Students act out a short conversation but must include
3 meaningful pauses, exploring subtext.
2. Emotional Posture – Each student enters the room as one of the sisters, showing
mood through posture, pace, gesture.
3. “Posh People” Role Play – Natasha vs. “posh” sisters: improvise 30 seconds
showing status differences.
4. Subtext Circle – In a circle, students say neutral lines (e.g., “It’s your birthday”), but
use different emotions to show hidden meanings.
5. Silent Scene – Play a short extract (pages 1–3). Perform it without words, only
gesture & movement. Reflect on what changes.
6. Object as Moscow – Bring in a prop to represent Moscow. Students must interact
with it (longing, rejecting, protecting).
7. Overlapping Voices – Groups read lines simultaneously, overlapping, to explore the
rhythm/chaos of Act 1 conversations.
8. Freeze-Frame to Monologue – Groups create a still image from Act 1, then one
character speaks an improvised inner monologue.
9. Energy Shifts – Run the “Zip Zap Zop” but replace with “Moscow, Boredom, Hope”
to keep Chekhov themes in play.
10.Accent Play – Quick exercise where students try out subtle Russian or neutral
“classical” accents while reading a few lines.
Written Paper Prep Starters (0411)
11.15-Mark Speed Answer – Pick one past-paper style Q (e.g., “How could you use
voice to show Irina’s youth?”). 5 min written sprint.
12.Design Challenge Sketch – Students sketch a quick set design (lighting or
costume) for the Prozorov house. 3 minutes only.
