The Theatrefolk Blog
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Find all the resources for the drama teachers. Covers resources on acting, directing, playwriting, production, teaching drama, and technical theatre. We are the creators of the Drama Teacher Academy (DTA), a provider of curriculum materials, educational resources, and professional development designed just for middle school and high school drama teachers.
The Theatrefolk Blog
3d ago
In this small group exercise, students will write a creative summary of the plot of a play using the ABCB, or “simple 4-line” rhyme scheme. This exercise focuses on creative thinking and teamwork. If you wish to expand this exercise, you can add a performance component, where the group members will perform the piece they ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1w ago
Advertisements and commercials can be entertaining, educational, heart wrenching, and hilarious. Ultimately though, the goal is to grab your attention, tell you about the product, and get you to part with your hard-earned cash in exchange for whatever they’re selling — as efficiently as possible. In this improv game, students are tasked with improvising an ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
2w ago
Many students take drama class not because they want to, but because they have to. They might need an arts credit to graduate, or there aren’t any other options for them to have a full class schedule, or they are looking for a class that they think is easy. So how do we engage our ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
3w ago
The following theatre game is a variation of the exercise “The 20 Step Process“. In The 20 Step Process, students are challenged to make a simple task comically complicated. In Origin Story, students separate the aspects of one seemingly simple task and explain how each part came to be. Students will see (in an exaggerated ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
3w ago
You’ve chosen a play, cast your actors, run lines and are preparing for the rise of the curtain. But as opening night approaches the nerves and the butterflies are taking up more stage time for some actors than they should. How do you help your actors deal with stage fright so their performances can shine ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1M ago
Speed up! Slow down! Hurry hurry — but hang on! Sometimes you need some speed-related prompts for your improvisation games or playwriting projects, and we won’t keep you waiting. Here is a collection of 25 speedy and 25 languid prompts (50 prompts total!), with a collection of exit slip questions and a handy link round-up ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1M ago
Welcome to Top 5! In this series we look at some of the challenges new teachers face and how to address them. Whether it is avoiding mistakes, improving planning and preparation, or advocating for your program, this information will help new Theatre teachers successfully navigate the first few years in their classroom. Top 5 Discipline ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1M ago
The following exercise challenges students to explore character movement by focusing on the speed of movements. This exercise is mental and physical — students will brainstorm a list of characters that move fast and a list of characters that move slow. Then, students will get up as a group and act out the different characters ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1M ago
We recently discussed how to help students who are rushing their lines and movements. Now we’re solving the opposite problem: what to do when the scenes are dragging and putting the audience to sleep. Let’s look at four common pacing issues and some tips for improving the flow of the scene. 1. Issue: Preparedness (or ..read more
The Theatrefolk Blog
1M ago
A director friend recently sent me a message asking for advice about how to help her students with their upcoming show. Hi Kerry, Any tips on helping my students to slow down and stop rushing? There are a few spots in the show where moments are “urgent,” but I feel that the audience is going ..read more