We used various sources - any old figure photos cut out of papers and magazines, photos from books about stage design and books on artists such as Picasso and Hockney (both of these are really worth looking at - Picasso especially for a Cocteau ballet called Parade, weird and wonderful figures!).
We did various drawings of these assorted poses, then cut them out and tried re-arranging them as a group on a sort of stage..... looking at movement, shapes, pattern etc. And these don't have to be too descriptive, semi-abstract would be marvellous.
In week two we were to develop these, adding more pattern, thinking about lighting (some very contrasty areas) as well as a 'set' - some sort of flats at the side, backcloth etc to enclose them - but nothing too literal of course...