Created by Erin Carr
Viewpoints is used to create dynamic moments of theatre by simply existing on the stage. However, Viewpoints is more than just an acting technique to understand your own physicality and more than a directing technique to create “ah-ha!” moments on stage. It is first and foremost the philosophy that to create an organic performance, you must see obstacle as opportunity, and that by simply standing in space, your creativity can spark.
This course by Erin Carr will help your students discover fresh impulses that motivate their performance in the moment. We will go through the Viewpoints technique, as created by Mary Overlie, and learn how to tap into kinesthetic awareness as individuals and as an ensemble. Through this style of play, students learn to release their thoughts on what they “should” do, and instead just respond organically to their surroundings and ensemble!
We’re going to break down each of the Viewpoints, there’s lots of visual demonstration, so you can see each Viewpoint in action, and I’m going to provide tips and side coaching examples.
11 Modules
3 hours, 28 minutes
5 Credit Hours
Get instant access to this and everything else in the Drama Teacher Academy
National Core Arts Standards
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8
TH:Pr4.1.8.a - Explore different pacing to better communicate the story in a drama/theatre work.
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished
TH:Pr4.1.HSII.a - Discover how unique choices shape believable and sustainable drama/ theatre work.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6
TH:Pr5.1.6.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 7
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 8
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Pr6.1.8.a - Perform a rehearsed drama/theatre work for an audience.
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient
California VAPA Standards (2019)
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
8.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
8.TH:Pr4.a - Explore different pacing to better communicate the story in a drama/theatre work.
Acc.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Acc.TH:Pr4.a - Discover how unique choices shape believable and sustainable drama/ theatre work.
6.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
6.TH:Pr5.a - Recognize how acting exercises and techniques can be applied to a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
8.TH:Re8 Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
6.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
6.TH:Cr3.b - Identify effective physical and vocal traits of characters in a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
8.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
8.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
8.TH:Pr6 - Perform a rehearsed, scripted scene from a drama/theatre work for an audience.
Prof.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Colorado Academic Standards - Drama and Theatre Arts
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
DT.8.2.4.a - Students Can: Perform/present a rehearsed/designed drama/theatre work for an audience.
High School - Fundamental Pathway
High School - Advanced Pathway
Common Core
Reading: Literature
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
Organizational Structure
Skills, Techniques & Processes
TH.912.S.3.3 - Develop acting skills and techniques in the rehearsal process.
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through improvised and scripted activities.
B.CR.2.1 - Adapt theatrical works using personal experiences through a collaborative process.
Beginning High School Present
B.PR.2.1 - Develop scripted or devised theatre for presentation.
B.PR.2.4 - Identify the responsibilities of a performer in a variety of theatrical venues.
Intermediate High School Create
I.CR.1.1 - Develop a variety of unique characters within given situations through improvisation.
Intermediate High School Present
I.PR.2.1 - Develop scenes for formal or informal presentations.
Accomplished High School Create
Accomplished High School Present
AC.PR.1.2 - Display a progression of character moments within the performance of theatrical texts.
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
I.C.2.2 - Interpret scenes through formal and informal presentations.
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.211 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.B - expand body awareness and spatial perceptions using mime.
C.1.C - respond to sounds, music, images, and the written word, incorporating movement.
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.B - develop and apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.C - create expressive and rhythmic movements.
B.1.D - develop an increased understanding of the mechanisms of vocal production.
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.213 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.B - explore preparation and warm-up techniques.
B.1.C - create expressive movement and mime to define space and characters.
MS 117.213 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.B - develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
C.2.B - explore creativity as it relates to self and ensemble.
HS 117.317 LIII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.A - apply theatre preparation and warm-up techniques effectively.
HS 117.318 LIV - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.A - create and demonstrate theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
HS 117.318 LIV - Creative Expression: performance
C.2.A - model safe, appropriate techniques to allow for physical, vocal, and emotional expression.
Alberta, Canada
Improvisation Drama 10
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
13 - communicate meaning without words
14 - discover how various emotions affect one vocally and physically
Acting Drama 20
2 - create, select and sustain physical details of the character from scripted material
Movement Drama 10
1 - display the ability to be still
10 - demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
12 - demonstrate knowledge of elements of space
14 - create physically shapes in space
15 - use basic locomotor movements (eg. walking, running, crawling) to explore space
16 - create and repeat patterns of movement
17 - demonstrate freezing of movement in space
18 - appreciate that physical expression can enhance language
19 - demonstrate qualities of energy
20 - create appropriate personal physical warmup routines
21 - demonstrate the ability to extend a movement
22 - translate words, images and emotions into movement
23 - demonstrate non-verbally the who, what, where, why and when of a story
24 - demonstrate understanding of mood, and communicate mood
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
Junior Goal II Objectives
develop the ability to give form or expression to feelings, ideas and images
Junior Orientation
communicate through use of voice and body
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
focus concentration on one task at a time
meet deadlines and follow through on individual and group commitments
offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
share ideas confidently with others
Movement Level I - Beginning
1 - demonstrate understanding of and apply appropriate safety procedures
10 - use varying speed of movement
11 - use directions and pathways
13 - control focus and energy in movement and gesture
14 - create shapes with the body
16 - demonstrate freezing of movement
17 - use movement to communicate non-verbally
18 - create movement in response to music
19 - translate sounds, words, images, and emotions into movement
2 - demonstrate awareness of personal and shared space
3 - use physical relaxation techniques effectively
4 - recognize the need for and demonstrate warmup activities
5 - move individual body parts
7 - demonstrate awareness of his or her own body and its movement potential
8 - display increased freedom of movement
9 - travel through space in a variety of ways e.g., running, creeping and jumping
Movement Level II - Intermediate
21 - display clarity of movement and gesture
22 - use exaggerated movement and gesture
23 - plan, repeat and combine movement patterns
25 - communicate environment, character and situation nonverbally
Movement Level III - Advanced
28 - coordinate movement and movement patterns with other students
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
15 - use the body and body language to enhance characterization
Senior Goal I Objectives
demonstrate a sense of inquiry and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively and constructively to the group process
demonstrate the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
extend physical and vocal capabilities
Senior Goal II Objectives
develop techniques that enhance vocal and physical communication
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated application and/or engagement of curricular content
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Collaborate through reciprocal relationships during creative processes
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Ontario, Canada
Grade 6 - Creating and Presenting
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grade 11 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
C.3.1 - identify and follow safe and ethical practices in all drama activities
Grade 11 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
A.1.3 - create and interpret a range of characters using a variety of acting approaches
Grade 12 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
C.3.1 - identify and follow safe and ethical practices in all drama activities
Grade 12 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Drama and Society
B.2.3 - describe ways in which drama can support or influence school and/or local community goals
Grade 12 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
A.3.2 - use different acting approaches to explore and depict character in a variety of situations
Our parent company Theatrefolk offers a fantastic selection of plays written specifically for high school and middle school students.
Whether for performances or class study, there's something for everyone: relevant & relatable themes, simple sets & costumes, flexible casting options and much more - a perfect addition to any drama program!