This is great to use at the start of term, to introduce your students to one of the most complex theatre theories: alienation. The scheme, if followed, will allow you teach a comprehensive guide to what Brecht meant by the alienation theory. The scheme has been designed so that you can either dip in and out of the workshops as you wish, or you can teach the booklet in its entirety, depending upon your choice and the needs of your students. It has been split into 4 main workshop topics. We have not suggested timings on these workshops, because each school has different timetabling requirements. However, each of the 4 workshops can each last a series of lessons, or you can take bits out from each one for isolated activities. Each workshop includes detailed teaching ideas, learning objectives, student handouts and a variety of practical activities, theory and written tasks which you could spread across a series of timetabled lessons. All handouts are fully-photocopiable and student-friendly. The scheme will see you through at least one half term.

Contents:

Workshop A - Introducing the concept of alienation:
Through this workshop students will be introduced to Brecht's idea of alienation and they will begin to consider the reasons why Brecht wanted to make the familiar unfamiliar. Students will begin to explore devices used by Brecht to alienate the audience and consider how these could be applied to their own performance work on the Three Little Pigs.

Workshop B - Considering the effect of the A-Effect on a spectator:
Looking at Brecht's alienation techniques from the perspective of the audience, students will consider how Brecht's A-Effect might turn a well known story in to something completely new for an audience.

Workshop C - Brecht's political beliefs and the A-Effect:
This workshop introduces students to Brecht's political ideology, particularly the influence Marxist theories had upon his work. Students will begin to look at the Three Little Pigs as a means to present political or social messages to an audience and the ways in which alienation techniques can achieve this.

Workshop D - Brecht's approach to characterisation:
Students will learn how to apply Brecht's ideas to their own performances, considering the important role the actor played in alienating the audience. Covering aspects such as Brecht's Narrative Theatre and various rehearsal strategies such as the Street Scene, this workshop helps students to understand the complex and vital role of the actor in Brecht's theatre. This workshop is the lengthiest of the pack and could easily go across 4 hours of teaching time.

Revision:
The final section of the booklet allows students to revise Brecht's main aims for the A-Effect. This section also encourages them to create their own rehearsal log as well as providing them with a comprehensive reading list to extend their understanding of Brecht's ideas.