—
Anyone can be affected by
homelessness, even people you might
not expect. It could be affecting
someone close to you without you
being aware.
This improvisation activity explores
possible ways of raising this sensitive
subject with someone in your life, and
the potential impacts that helping or
avoiding the issue could have.
—
Activity
To help or not to help?
2
The performers improvise a scene
in which they each try to convince
the other that their way of "helping"
Imogen is the best. The scene ends
when one character changes their
mind, or the conversation breaks
down.
3
Discuss what tactics were employed
by each character to try and win—
over the other. Were they convincing
for an audience? Reflect on the
potential effects of the solutions that
were proposed, and whether you
believe they would have been helpful
to Imogen.
1
Two performers, A and B, improvise
a short scene according to the
following scenario. —
Variation
What are you not telling me?
The scenario: The performers are
discussing their friend, Imogen, who
is the same age as them. Imogen is
living in an overcrowded dwelling. It is
difficult in the share house and there
is no adult taking care of her. She has
been missing school and assignments,
sneaking away at lunch time to shower
in the gym and rarely has a proper
packed lunch. She doesn’t like to talk
about her living situation, even to her
good friends, and tries everything she
can to hide it from the world. 1
Play out the scene as above, but with
one difference: Imogen has opened—
up to A about her situation and made
them promise not to tell anyone. B
has sensed that something’s up with
Imogen and wants A’s help to get to
the bottom of it. B tries to convince
A to get involved and A tries to keep
Imogen’s secret.
A strongly believes that they should
intervene in some direct way, while
B is convinced they should let Imogen
figure things out for herself. Both
honestly have Imogen’s best interests
at heart.
2
The scene ends when A agrees to help
B without giving up Imogen’s secret,
or A gives the secret away.
3
Discuss the consequences of acting or
not in this situation, and consider the
ethical implications faced by
each character.