Freeze Frames

Drama Strategies

Participants freeze their bodies to create a scene. It’s just like pressing pause on a video.

Freeze frames (also known as still images and tableaux) can be created quickly with any age-group. Participants create an image using their bodies – with no movement. Freeze frames can be made by individuals or groups of any size.

A good way to explain a freeze frame is that it’s like pressing “pause” on a remote control, taking a photo or making a statue. Images can be made quickly without discussion – or they can be planned and rehearsed. They are fantastic for communicating any ideas or telling a story. Participants can represent people, objects or even abstract concepts like emotions. As there are no lines to learn, freeze frames often help shyer performers to gain confidence.

When viewing a series of freeze frames, try using Open and Close. Bring the images to life through improvisation using Action Clip. Freeze-frames can be usefully combined with Thought Tracking, Forum Theatre or Flashbacks and Flash Forwards.

Read next:

Freeze Frames

Drama Strategies

Participants freeze their bodies to create a scene. It’s just like pressing pause on a video.

Freeze frames (also known as still images and tableaux) can be created quickly with any age-group. Participants create an image using their bodies – with no movement. Freeze frames can be made by individuals or groups of any size.

A good way to explain a freeze frame is that it’s like pressing “pause” on a remote control, taking a photo or making a statue. Images can be made quickly without discussion – or they can be planned and rehearsed. They are fantastic for communicating any ideas or telling a story. Participants can represent people, objects or even abstract concepts like emotions. As there are no lines to learn, freeze frames often help shyer performers to gain confidence.

When viewing a series of freeze frames, try using Open and Close. Bring the images to life through improvisation using Action Clip. Freeze-frames can be usefully combined with Thought Tracking, Forum Theatre or Flashbacks and Flash Forwards.

Read next:

50 Amazing Ways to Use Freeze-Frames!

freeze frames

Revolutionise your teaching with this guide to using Freeze-Frames and Still Images in Drama and other lessons, including Benefits, How to use them, Combining with Drama Strategies, 50+ Ways to use across the Curriculum and a handy Photocopiable Evaluation Checklist!

Buy our 7-page Freeze-Frames Drama Unit (PDF) for just £5.49 with credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.