Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company

Drama Teacher Learning Centre

Our Learning Centre is dedicated to providing drama teachers with insightful and engaging information for all things theatre!
Whether you're looking for articles, exercises, tips, or resources for teaching theatre in the classroom or on the stage, you'll find it all here.
We're dedicated to sharing our passion for theatre while making sure you have everything you need to make your theatre program shine!
Displaying items 1-18 of 206 in total
Theatre as a Teaching Tool
Theatre as a Teaching Tool
Happy Birthday Frankenstein!
Happy Birthday Frankenstein!
Drama Teachers: Take back the classics
Drama Teachers: Take back the classics
Putting together a touring high school show
Putting together a touring high school show
Facilitating a student led production
Facilitating a student led production
Page to Stage: What can you learn in 48 hours?
Page to Stage: What can you learn in 48 hours?
Production Case Study: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Production Case Study: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
A Fabulous Theatre Fundraiser
A Fabulous Theatre Fundraiser
Monologue Competitions: How to compete confidently
Monologue Competitions: How to compete confidently
Talking Tech Theatre Programs
Talking Tech Theatre Programs
When a Play Goes Wrong
When a Play Goes Wrong
Drama: The Creative and Critical Process
Drama: The Creative and Critical Process
Shakespeare on a Shoestring
Shakespeare on a Shoestring
Production Case Study: Annie
Production Case Study: Annie
The 48 Hour Play Project
The 48 Hour Play Project
Shakespeare in the Rough
Shakespeare in the Rough
Going big with a production in China
Going big with a production in China
Production Case Study: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Production Case Study: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Featured Articles

"Cheating Out": Two Games for  Middle School Drama Students
Featured Article
"Cheating Out": Two Games for Middle School Drama Students
Something teachers notice frequently when working with middle school students is that when the students are performing a two-person scene onstage, they tend to turn their bodies directly towards whomever they're talking to. This is understandable, as that’s what people do naturally to hear each other better and establish the fact that they’re listening. However, when students are onstage and turn their bodies away from the audience, they’re essentially closing themselves off. It makes it more challenging for the audience to hear the performers and see their facial expressions.
Ensemble Roles
Featured Article
How Do You Support Students Who Feel Discouraged About Ensemble Roles?
As theatre educators we understand the importance of making every student feel valued and inspired throughout their theatrical journey. However, we know that students can become discouraged when consistently cast in ensemble roles despite aspiring to take centre stage. Establishing strategies that foster confidence and resilience among these students is so important. But how do we effectively accomplish this?
Beyond Happy and Sad: Exploring Emotions  with Middle Schoolers
Featured Article
Beyond Happy and Sad: Exploring Emotions with Middle Schoolers
Theatre is all about conveying emotions onstage through our voices, gestures, facial expressions, and body language. With middle schoolers, who are often in the midst of learning how to deal with their own emotions, it’s not always easy for them to know how to portray feelings onstage, or even have the language to describe how they’re feeling. Let’s help them figure it out.
How to handle conflicts & disagreements among cast members during rehearsals
Featured Article
How Do You Handle Conflicts & Disagreements During Rehearsals?
Stepping onto the stage is an exciting journey, but, inevitably, conflicts and disagreements among cast members can occasionally take centre stage during rehearsals. To avoid chaos, directors need effective strategies and creative solutions to minimize conflicts and foster a harmonious theatrical experience.
3 Quick and Easy Warm-Up Games  with a Drama Class Twist
Featured Article
3 Quick and Easy Warm-Up Games with a Drama Class Twist
Sometimes you need a simple activity to get students warmed up, a time-filler for the last few minutes of class, or a classroom task that you can have a substitute teacher or student lead. No need to reinvent the wheel; the following games are classics for a reason. Here are three easy and fun games that most everyone knows, with a drama class twist.
Creatively-Staged Scenes with  Middle School Students
Featured Article
Creatively-Staged Scenes with Middle School Students
It’s exciting when well-known books, films, and television shows get turned into stage productions. Plays and musicals like The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, The SpongeBob Musical, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child feature favourite characters and epic moments, real and in person! These types of shows are a great way to engage your students in the drama classroom and capture their imaginations, bringing many different possibilities for storytelling onstage. Students can find inspiration in these types of shows and have great fun in creating their own interpretations and adaptations of the different scenes and moments onstage.
How do you handle disruptive cast members during rehearsal?
Featured Article
How Do You Handle Disruptive Cast Members During Rehearsal?
Ever found yourself at the helm of a lively, energetic, and occasionally disruptive drama club? In search of practical strategies and teacher-tested tips to maintain positive energy and curb disruptions?
How do you manage overcommitted students who miss rehearsals?
Featured Article
How Do You Manage Overcommitted Students Who Miss Rehearsals?
In the world of theatre, orchestrating a seamless production is a delicate balance. Directors often find themselves having to gracefully handle overcommitted students juggling demanding schedules. It’s helpful to have practical insights and strategies that strike the right balance between individual commitments and the collective rhythm of rehearsals. But how do we find the finesse required to keep the show running smoothly while supporting each performer on their individual journey?
March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
Featured Article
March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
As March takes centre stage, we're stepping into a world full of iconic characters from well-known stories. Each play in this month's lineup includes beloved characters, ready to leap off the page and onto your stage or classroom.

Latest Articles

Tips for Casting a Musical Revue
Tips for Casting a Musical Revue
Blocking Exercise: Same Scene, Different Stages
Blocking Exercise: Same Scene, Different Stages
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Chris Evans
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Chris Evans
Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece
Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece
March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Jeffrey Harr
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Jeffrey Harr

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Acting

Acting in Everyday Life
Acting in Everyday Life
Acting the Issue Play
Acting the Issue Play
Onstage “Awareness” Improv Game: Sit, Stand, Kneel
Onstage “Awareness” Improv Game: Sit, Stand, Kneel
Questioning Your Character (Without Judgment)
Questioning Your Character (Without Judgment)
“Let’s Try That Again”: Taking Direction in an Audition
“Let’s Try That Again”: Taking Direction in an Audition
How to Practice Cold Reading
How to Practice Cold Reading

Classroom Exercise

Blocking Exercise: Same Scene, Different Stages
Blocking Exercise: Same Scene, Different Stages
Creatively-Staged Scenes with  Middle School Students
Creatively-Staged Scenes with Middle School Students
Beyond Happy and Sad: Exploring Emotions  with Middle Schoolers
Beyond Happy and Sad: Exploring Emotions with Middle Schoolers
Getting Bums in Seats: Theatre Marketing Exercises
Getting Bums in Seats: Theatre Marketing Exercises
Lines From A Bag
Lines from a Bag
Spooky Special Effects Challenge
Spooky Special Effects Challenge

Classroom Management

Getting to Know Your Students: How I Like to Learn
Getting to Know Your Students: How I Like to Learn
Developing Classroom Routines and Systems
Developing Classroom Routines and Systems
“I’ll Just Do It Myself…” Encouraging Students to Work Together
“I’ll Just Do It Myself…” Encouraging Students to Work Together
Inclusion in the Drama Classroom: Assessing Your Space
Inclusion in the Drama Classroom: Assessing Your Space
Pros and Cons: Assigned Groups vs. Class-Chosen Groups
Pros and Cons: Assigned Groups vs. Class-Chosen Groups
The Inclusive Classroom: Drama Class for Students with Special Needs
The Inclusive Classroom: Drama Class for Students with Special Needs

Directing

Tips for Casting a Musical Revue
Tips for Casting a Musical Revue
How do you manage overcommitted students who miss rehearsals?
How Do You Manage Overcommitted Students Who Miss Rehearsals?
How do you handle disruptive cast members during rehearsal?
How Do You Handle Disruptive Cast Members During Rehearsal?
How to handle conflicts & disagreements among cast members during rehearsals
How Do You Handle Conflicts & Disagreements During Rehearsals?
Ensemble Roles
How Do You Support Students Who Feel Discouraged About Ensemble Roles?
Pros and Cons: Open Auditions vs. Closed Auditions
Pros and Cons: Open Auditions vs. Closed Auditions

Distance Learning

Character Study: Self-Awareness
Character Study: Self-Awareness
Making Connections: Students’ Strengths and Character Strengths
Making Connections: Students’ Strengths and Character Strengths
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Virtual Platform by Claire Broome
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Virtual Platform by Claire Broome
Improv Game: Combining Skills
Improv Game: Combining Skills
Improv Game: Imposter
Improv Game: Imposter
Exercise: Outdoor Virtual Monologues
Exercise: Outdoor Virtual Monologues

Diversity

Tips for Supporting Nonbinary Drama Students
Tips for Supporting Nonbinary Drama Students
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Characters Behaving Badly by Lindsay Price
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Characters Behaving Badly by Lindsay Price
Theatrefolk Featured Play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Theatrefolk Featured Play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Moonbow Miraculous by Kirk Shimano
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Moonbow Miraculous by Kirk Shimano
Theatrefolk Featured Play – The Pretty Princess Dollhouse for Pretty Princesses by Emma Fonseca-Halverson
Theatrefolk Featured Play – The Pretty Princess Dollhouse for Pretty Princesses by Emma Fonseca-Halverson
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Finding Jo March by Laramie Dean
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Finding Jo March by Laramie Dean

Featured Plays

Theatrefolk Featured Play - The Happiness Shop
Theatrefolk Featured Play - The Happiness Shop
Featured Play - Typecast
Theatrefolk Featured Play: Typecast
Life and Death in an Empty Hallway
Theatrefolk Featured Play - Life and Death in an Empty Hallway
Franz Kafka Cancels His Cell Phone Plan
Theatrefolk Featured Play - Franz Kafka Cancels His Cell Phone Plan
The Plucky Pie Murder
Theatrefolk Featured Play - The Plucky Pie Murder
The Female Edison
Theatrefolk Featured Play: The Female Edison

Games

Improv Fun & Games: Speed Props
Improv Fun & Games: Speed Props
3 Quick and Easy Warm-Up Games  with a Drama Class Twist
3 Quick and Easy Warm-Up Games with a Drama Class Twist
"Cheating Out": Two Games for  Middle School Drama Students
"Cheating Out": Two Games for Middle School Drama Students
Fun & Games: Human Chess
Fun & Games: Human Chess
Fun & Games: Creating a Drama Board Game
Fun & Games: Create a Drama Board Game
Theatre Fun & Games: Ruin a Play...
Theatre Fun & Games: Ruin a Play...

General

Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Bradley Hayward
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Bradley Hayward
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Taryn Temple
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Taryn Temple
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Dara Murphy
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Dara Murphy
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Laramie Dean
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Laramie Dean
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Allison Green
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Allison Green
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Chris Stiles
Playwright Spotlight: Get to Know Chris Stiles

New Drama Teachers

Top 5 Rules for Building Relationships with Students
Top 5 Rules for Building Relationships with Students
Top 5 Discipline Mistakes New Teachers Make (And how to fix them!)
Top 5 Discipline Mistakes New Teachers Make (And how to fix them!)
Round-up: Best casting advice for fellow directors
Round-up: Best casting advice for fellow directors
Round-up: Best costuming advice for a new director
Round-up: Best costuming advice for a new director

Playwriting

Playwriting Exercise: Your Ideal Future
Playwriting Exercise: Your Ideal Future
5 Tips for Writing A Murder Mystery Play
5 Tips for Writing a Murder Mystery Play
Playwriting Exercise: Baby Photo Prompt
Playwriting Exercise: Baby Photo Prompt
Emotion Prompts
Resource: Tons of Emotion Prompts
Resource: Tons of Rainbow Prompts
Resource: Tons of Rainbow Prompts
Playwriting Exercise: The Next Scene
Playwriting Exercise: The Next Scene

Podcast

Theatre as a Teaching Tool
Theatre as a Teaching Tool
Happy Birthday Frankenstein!
Happy Birthday Frankenstein!
Drama Teachers: Take back the classics
Drama Teachers: Take back the classics
Putting together a touring high school show
Putting together a touring high school show
Facilitating a student led production
Facilitating a student led production
Page to Stage: What can you learn in 48 hours?
Page to Stage: What can you learn in 48 hours?

Production

How to Effectively Create and Use the Audition Waiting Area
How to Effectively Create and Use the Audition Waiting Area
Creative Fundraising Ideas for Your Production
Creative Fundraising Ideas for Your Upcoming Production
Tips for Running a Relaxed Performance  of Your Show
Tips for Running a Relaxed Performance of Your Show
Round-Up: All About Time Management & Scheduling
Round-Up: All About Time Management & Scheduling
Creating a Pre-Show Checklist
Creating a Pre-Show Checklist
Performance Options: Live Stage, Virtual or Livestream?
Performance Options: Live Stage, Virtual or Livestream?

Teaching Drama

March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
March Reading List: Plays With Iconic Characters
Creatively-Staged Scenes with  Middle School Students
Creatively-Staged Scenes with Middle School Students
February Reading List
February Reading List: Plays with 'Emotional' Titles
Developing a Drama Portfolio
Developing a Drama Portfolio: Showcasing Your School's Theatrical Achievements
Winter Reading List - January
January Reading List: Colourful Play Titles
Embracing Beginner Mindset for Drama Students
Embracing Beginner Mindset for Drama Students

Teaching Resources

The Rehearsal Companion
The Rehearsal Companion
The Audition Toolkit
The Audition Toolkit
Impowerment Improv
Impowerment Improv
The Drama Classroom Companion: Volume 2
The Drama Classroom Companion: Volume 2
Your High School Improv Show Playbook
Your High School Improv Show Playbook
Scene-Spurs: Writing Prompts for Dramatic Depth – Volume Two
Scene-Spurs: Writing Prompts for Dramatic Depth – Volume Two

Technical Theatre

Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece
Sets on a Budget: One Signature Piece
Costume Organization & Storage Tips
Costume Organization & Storage Tips
Full Class Project: Complete Show Design
Full Class Project: Complete Show Design
Performing Outdoors Part 2: Safety Considerations
Performing Outdoors Part 2: Safety Considerations
Performing Outdoors Part 1: Technical Considerations
Performing Outdoors Part 1: Technical Considerations
Exercise: The Tech Effect
Exercise: The Tech Effect

Enjoy a Front Row Seat to Our Newsletter!

Subscribe for our exciting updates, insights, teaching resources, and new script releases. Plus, sign up now and get 4 plays and 2 lesson plans for FREE!

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