7.13: Lesson 12- Dramatic Loops

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A dramatic loop is a break from the action of the story in order to jump into the past, future, or a fantasy in order to reveal more about the character or the character’s situation. In order to have a dramatic loop you have to establish a ‘button’ or moment where the actors will freeze in a recognizable stage picture that will begin and end the loop. The loop is signified by a lighting or sound change and a new world is entered. Once the loop is completed the actors must return to the exact stage picture that began the loop and a lighting or sound change will return the scene to its previous reality.

One example I use is staging two students sitting next to each other with a candy bar between them. As they both reach for the bar and touch it the lighting changes and the Mortal Kombat theme song begins to play. During the conflict we stage a fight in which school supplies from their backpacks are used as lethal weapons. Once the scene concludes we return to the stage picture of both students touching the candy bar and end the loop.

Dramatic loops are ridiculously fun for both actors and audiences and can often be used in comedies.

Staging Exercise

Create a scene with a beginning, middle, and end that includes a dramatic loop.
Rehearse for 1 hour and then present
Discuss and critique each scene
Remember to always focus on successful elements first. People need to know what they are doing well more than they need to know what to improve. Encourage progress and try to give 5 positive comments to each suggestion for improvement.
Rehearse for an additional 15 minutes in order to incorporate notes.
Present scenes a final time without notes or critique.