All Class Five Sports, Art and Culture Topics

Topic 1 Acting Read below · Free
Topic 2 Singing and Musical Instruments Continue in the app
Topic 3 Drawing Continue in the app
Topic 4 Clay Modelling Continue in the app
Topic 5 Making Simple Shapes Continue in the app
Topic 6 Body Exercises and Traditional Games Continue in the app
Topic 7 Modern Games Continue in the app

Acting is a wonderful art form where people pretend to be someone else and tell stories through actions, words and feelings. In this chapter you will learn about drama and acting, the different ways of acting, how to use your body and your voice, and a special silent kind of acting called mime.

Get ready to use your imagination and become a performer! Tap the ☰ button at the bottom of the screen to jump to any part of the chapter.

AKey Terms and Concepts

Drama: A story that is written to be performed by actors on a stage. The word comes from a Greek word meaning “to do” or “to act”.
Acting: The art of pretending to be another person (a character) in a play, a film or a performance.
Actor / Actress: A person who performs a role in a play, film or television show.
Character: The person or role that an actor pretends to be.
Audience: The people who watch a performance.
Stage: The place where actors perform.
Script: The written text of a play that tells actors what to say and do.
Props: Objects that actors use on stage, such as a book, a cup or a hat.
Gesture: A movement of the hand, arm or body used to express an idea or a feeling.
Expression: Showing feelings through your face, your voice or your body.
Mime: Acting without using words — telling a story using only body movements and facial expressions. The word comes from a Greek word meaning “to imitate”.
Improvisation (improv): Acting without a script, inventing the words and actions as you go.
Diction: Speaking your words clearly so the audience can understand every one of them.
Body isolation: Moving only one part of the body at a time, for example only the head or only one arm.
Imaginary object: An object that is not really there, which the mime actor pretends to hold or use.

Remember this!

An actor has three tools and carries all of them everywhere: the body, the voice and the imagination.

1Concept of Drama and Acting

What is drama?

Drama is a story that is written to be performed by actors.
It can be funny, sad, exciting or scary.
The word drama comes from a Greek word meaning “to do” or “to act”.

Types of drama

Type	Meaning	Example
Comedy	A funny play that makes people laugh	A clown making silly faces
Tragedy	A sad play with a serious ending	A story about someone losing a loved one
Action	An exciting play with lots of movement	A hero rescuing people from danger

What is acting?

Acting is when a person (the actor) pretends to be someone else.
The actor uses voice, body and emotion to bring a character to life.
Acting is like “making believe” in front of an audience.

Why do people act?

To tell stories.
To entertain people.
To teach lessons.
To express feelings.
To make people think about important issues.

Worked Example 1: Turning one sentence into a character

The line

“The bus has gone.”

Step 1 — Ask who is speaking

A tired grandmother who walked far to catch that bus.

Step 2 — Choose the feeling

Disappointed and very tired.

Step 3 — Match the body

Shoulders drop, one hand rests on the back, feet shuffle slowly, eyes look down the empty road.

Step 4 — Match the voice

Low pitch, slow speed, soft volume, with a long sigh before the words.

Now try it again as a different character

An excited pupil who is glad the bus has gone because now there is no school: high pitch, fast speed, jumping feet, big smile. Same words — completely different character.

Our Way of Life

Long before there were theatres, Tanzanian communities were already performing. Ngonjera is a Swahili tradition where two performers act out a debate in poetry, one arguing each side. Vichekesho are short comic sketches performed at gatherings, and storytellers open a tale with the call “Hadithi, hadithi?” so that the audience answers “Hadithi njoo!” — the listeners become part of the performance from the very first line.

Activity 1: The Emotion Mirror

Stand facing a partner.
One pupil makes a happy face.
The other pupil copies (mirrors) exactly the same face.
Take turns showing sad, angry, scared, surprised and excited.
Talk about it: how did it feel to copy someone, and to be copied?

Quick Revision Questions

1. What is drama?

Drama is a story that is written to be performed by actors on a stage. The word comes from a Greek word meaning “to do” or “to act”.

2. Name the three types of drama and give an example of each.

Comedy – a funny play, such as a clown making silly faces.
Tragedy – a sad play with a serious ending, such as a story about losing a loved one.
Action – an exciting play with lots of movement, such as a hero rescuing people.

3. Give three reasons why people act.

To tell stories, to entertain people, to teach lessons, to express feelings, and to make people think (any three).

2Types of Acting

There are five main types of acting:

Stage acting — performed live in front of an audience.
Screen acting — for film, television or video; can be repeated.
Voice acting — for radio, podcasts or animation; only the voice is used.
Mime — silent acting with body and face only.
Improvisation — acting without a script, inventing as you go.

Remember

On stage there is no “take two”. On screen you can try again until it is right.

3Acting with Action and Voice

A good actor uses the whole body and the voice to show emotion and tell the story.

Voice techniques

Pitch — how high or low the voice is.
Volume — how loud or soft you speak.
Speed — how fast or slow you speak.
Tone — the feeling in the voice.
Pause — a short silence for effect.
Diction — speaking clearly so every word is understood.

4Aspects to Consider When Acting

Know your character (Who am I? How do I feel? What do I want? Why am I here?).
Use your whole body — hands, feet, shoulders and face.
Speak clearly and loud enough for the back of the room.
Control your voice (pitch, volume, speed, tone).
Face the audience.
Listen and react to the other actors.
Be believable — stay true to the character.

5Mime — Meaning and Concept

Mime is acting without words. The story is told only through body movements and facial expressions.

Mime is a universal language — people who do not share a spoken language can still understand it.

6Key Elements of Mime

Clear actions — movements that are easy to understand.
Facial expressions — the face carries all the emotion.
Gestures — hand and arm movements that show ideas.
Imaginary objects — pretending to hold or use things that are not there.
Body isolation — moving only one part of the body at a time.
Rhythm and timing — the speed and length of each action.

7Important Things in Mime

Keep it simple.
Move slowly so the audience can see.
Exaggerate — make movements bigger and clearer.
Use the whole body.
Have a clear beginning and ending.
Be consistent (keep imaginary objects in the same place and hand).
Practise in front of a mirror.
Ask for feedback.

8Importance of Mime

Improves communication without words.
Builds body awareness and control.
Develops imagination and creativity.
Improves concentration.
Builds confidence.
Teaches patience.
Is a universal language.
Is an excellent foundation for all other kinds of acting.

9Challenges of Mime

Not being understood by the audience.
Forgetting the next action.
Feeling embarrassed.
Losing consistency with imaginary objects.
Having no real props.
An inattentive audience.

If you feel embarrassed

Remember everyone is learning. Practise alone first, then for one friend, then for a small group. Take a few deep breaths before you begin.

10Chapter Summary

Subtopic	Key points
Drama and acting	Drama is a story performed by actors. Acting is pretending to be someone else to tell a story.
Types of acting	Stage, screen, voice, mime and improvisation.
Action and voice	Use the whole body and the voice to show emotion and tell the story.
Aspects to consider	Know your character, use your body, speak clearly, control your voice, face the audience, listen and react, be believable.
Meaning of mime	Acting without words, using only body movements and facial expressions.
Key elements of mime	Clear actions, facial expressions, gestures, imaginary objects, body isolation, rhythm and timing.
Important things in mime	Keep it simple, move slowly, exaggerate, use the whole body, clear beginnings and endings, be consistent, use a mirror, get feedback.
Importance of mime	Improves communication, body awareness, imagination, concentration, confidence and patience; universal language; foundation for acting.
Challenges of mime	Being understood, forgetting actions, embarrassment, consistency, no props, inattentive audience.

11End of Topic Questions

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the most correct answer from the alternatives given.

A story written to be performed by actors on a stage is called
- (a) a script
- (b) drama
- (c) a prop
- (d) an audience
(b) Drama. The word comes from a Greek word meaning “to do” or “to act”.
The person or role that an actor pretends to be is called the
- (a) audience
- (b) actress
- (c) character
- (d) gesture
(c) Character. The actor is the real person; the character is the imaginary one.
Which type of acting uses no words at all?
- (a) Voice acting
- (b) Screen acting
- (c) Improvisation
- (d) Mime
(d) Mime. It is silent acting, using only body movements, gestures and facial expressions.
In stage acting, movements must be big because
- (a) the camera comes very close
- (b) people sitting far away must be able to see
- (c) actors can try again if they make a mistake
- (d) the audience cannot see the actor
(b) People sitting far away must be able to see. There is no camera to bring the audience closer.
Acting without a script, inventing words and actions as you go, is called
- (a) improvisation
- (b) diction
- (c) tragedy
- (d) body isolation
(a) Improvisation.
“How loud or soft you speak” describes which voice technique?
- (a) Pitch
- (b) Tone
- (c) Volume
- (d) Pause
(c) Volume. Pitch is how high or low the voice is.
Objects that actors use on stage, such as a cup or a hat, are called
- (a) gestures
- (b) props
- (c) scripts
- (d) expressions
(b) Props.
Moving only the head while the rest of the body stays still is an example of
- (a) body isolation
- (b) exaggeration
- (c) improvisation
- (d) diction
(a) Body isolation.
A mime artist holding a cup in the right hand should
- (a) change hands often to look interesting
- (b) keep it in the right hand throughout
- (c) put it down and forget about it
- (d) hold it above the head
(b) Keep it in the right hand throughout. This is called being consistent.
Which of the following is not one of the four questions an actor asks about their character?
- (a) Who am I?
- (b) How do I feel?
- (c) How much money will I earn?
- (d) What do I want?
(c) How much money will I earn? The four questions are: Who am I? How do I feel? What do I want? Why am I here?

Section B: Matching

Column A	Column B
11. Gesture	A. How loud or soft you speak
12. Character	B. A movement of the hand or arm to express an idea
13. Volume	C. The person an actor pretends to be
14. Pitch	D. Objects actors use on stage
15. Props	E. How high or low your voice is

11 → B · 12 → C · 13 → A · 14 → E · 15 → D

Section C: True or False

Mime actors use many words to tell their story.
FALSE. Mime is silent acting — no words at all are used.
Actors should face away from the audience when performing.
FALSE. Actors should face the audience so their faces can be seen and their voices heard.
Facial expressions are important in acting.
TRUE. The face is one of the actor’s main tools for showing feelings.
Improvisation means acting without a script.
TRUE.
Mime movements should be very fast so the audience cannot see them clearly.
FALSE. Mime movements should be slow and clear so the audience can see and understand them.

Section D: Short Answer and Essay Questions

What is drama, and what is acting?
Drama is a story written to be performed by actors on a stage. Acting is the art of pretending to be another person, using voice, body and emotion to bring that character to life.
Explain three things an actor must consider when using their voice on stage.
- Volume: loud enough for the whole audience.
- Diction: words spoken clearly.
- Tone and pitch: match the character’s emotion.
Describe three key elements of mime and explain why each is important.
- Clear actions — movements must carry the meaning.
- Facial expressions — the face shows all the feelings.
- Imaginary objects — make the invisible world believable.
Why is mime important for learning to be a good actor? Give four reasons.
- Builds body awareness and control.
- Teaches clear expression of emotion without words.
- Develops imagination.
- Builds confidence and concentration.
Describe two challenges of mime and suggest how to overcome each one.

Not being understood: make movements bigger and slower, practise in a mirror, ask for feedback.

Feeling embarrassed: practise alone first, then for one friend, then a small group; take deep breaths.

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Class Five Sports, Art and Culture Notes: Acting