Creating Character Voices to Solve Missing Treasure Mystery
Objective
Students will create and perform distinct character voices using vocal techniques including pitch, pace, and volume to develop dramatic skills.
Materials
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Blank paper
- Pencils
- Small cardboard boxes
Hook
A mysterious treasure has disappeared from the village and only five witnesses saw what happened! Each witness has a completely different personality and way of speaking, and students must become these characters to solve the mystery.
Main Activity
Students work in groups of five to create distinct character voices for the treasure mystery witnesses: a nervous child, a grumpy old villager, an excited shopkeeper, a sleepy guard, and a forgetful baker. Each student practices their character's unique vocal qualities, then groups perform their witness testimonies with each character revealing one clue through their distinctive voice and personality. The class listens to all testimonies and pieces together the clues to solve who took the treasure and where it's hidden. Groups take turns performing while others guess which vocal techniques each character is using.
Discussion Questions
- How did changing your voice help you become a different character?
- Which vocal technique was most challenging to maintain during your performance?
- How do different voices help an audience understand characters better?
- What clues did you notice in other groups' character voices?
- How would your character's voice change if they were scared versus excited?
Exit Ticket
Describe one vocal technique you used today and explain how it helped create your character's personality.
Differentiation
Support: Provide sentence starters for character testimony and allow students to practice with a partner before group performance.
Extension: Challenge students to add physical movements and gestures that match their character's voice and create additional scenes showing what happened before the treasure disappeared.
