Curriculum & Lesson Planning

As theatre educators, we pour our hearts into what we do. But sometimes, it’s our students who surprise us with the most meaningful lessons. Whether it’s a simple “thank you,” an unexpected...

Tableau is a fantastic introductory theatre topic for middle schoolers. The word “tableau” comes from the phrase tableau vivant, or “living picture.” In tableau, students use their bodies and...

Drama classes are chaotic by design. A good drama class should be an active and energetic environment where students are exploring and creating with their peers. That means groups of students...

Blocking is fundamental to acting. Whether staging a two-person scene or 30-person musical number, how you arrange the actors onstage is an important part of the storytelling. Unfortunately,...

By this point, students will have learned about and practiced miming preparatory skills (including stillness, focus, and visualization), portraying items of different weights, and interacting with...

We’ve all seen the classic “mime stuck behind an invisible wall” routine, and when you mention miming to students, typically they’ll immediately start waving their hands around in that fashion....

…A time machine, you say? Interesting. If you gave me the chance to go back and talk to a younger version of myself as a teacher, what would I say? A couple of things come to mind… First and...

If you’ve ever been part of a theatre production, you know that drama isn’t just about acting — it’s about teamwork, trust, and putting yourself out there. That’s why kindness in the drama...

The Emergency Lesson Plans: Middle School Drama Class Task Sheets resource is specifically designed for the middle school drama teacher. Everything you need is at your finger tips: task sheets with...

Miming is a great topic for middle school drama students. The art of miming uses the actors’ bodies and imaginations to tell a story, without using their voices. It’s all about “making the unreal,...

Theatre festivals and competitions are more than just a chance to showcase your program - they’re an opportunity to inspire, challenge, and connect your students in new ways. While competing can be...

It’s common for young or beginning drama students to get wiggly or fidgety onstage, especially if they’re part of the ensemble or not speaking, singing, or dancing at that moment. It’s as though...

If you have students who are quick on their feet, great at math, and have a cheerful disposition, they might be excellent concession volunteers. Concession volunteers are responsible for selling...

Ushers are a cheerful, welcoming presence at any theatrical performance. Their job is to check tickets, answer patron questions, and keep the theatre clean and tidy. Volunteering as an usher for a...

There is a lot of thought and preparation that goes into mounting a production, not least of which is a budget! The budget needs to be one of the first considerations when thinking about a show,...

Whether your box office is a dedicated space with a sleek point of sale system, or a simple yet effective cash box at a folding table, you’ll need someone trustworthy and responsible to sell...

Many wonderful scripts feature lovely intimate moments between characters: a wedding, a special moment with a crush, a declaration of love, a first kiss. However, many actors (of all ages, not just...

The magic of theatre isn’t just in the performances; it’s woven into the traditions that bring us together! From heartwarming pre-show rituals to quirky backstage customs, these traditions create a...