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As theatre educators, we typically do what we do because of a passion for both theatre and teaching. When our students struggle, we’re often the first ones in their corner cheering them on. But what happens when we’re the ones struggling? When the daily stresses and frustrations add up until...

It’s that age-old drama classroom conundrum: Final projects have been completed, but there are still a handful of school days to fill before the year officially ends. This can be a challenging time for teachers who are expected to keep their students occupied in creative and appropriate ways. To help...

We recorded a podcast featuring 9 teachers from all over the country, in both middle school and high school programs, to find out what makes them able to do it all when directing a play. Here are 10 of their best tips: 1. Build a program that allows students to...

Episode 43: What is a Playwright?What is a playwright? Lindsay talks about what that question means to her and what happens when she assumes everyone is aware of that meaning. Guess what? Everyone is not aware. Show Notes • Playwrights! Send us your plays! Our submission guidelines are posted here....

Theatre teachers are often faced with staging productions in less-than-optimal spaces. Whether it’s on a platform in the corner of a classroom or the stage in the cafeteria, theatre teachers have to think ahead and outside the box when it comes to staging in these spaces. Here are some common...

Characters come to life in the small details, the little things like personal preference, food, or music choices. These two exercises can help student actors discover those details and really get to know their characters. You can download a PDF of both exercises at the end of this post! Day...

Drama teachers are some of the most passionate, dedicated educators in any school. They build communities, inspire confidence, and give students a place to express themselves. But they also face an extraordinary range of challenges—some emotional, some logistical, some systemic, and some deeply personal. Drawing on firsthand perspectives from theatre...

Let’s talk about dressing room setups. When your students are getting ready for a show, are they comfortable with their changing facilities? Does your setup meet the needs of all your students? What’s your policy on student privacy? There are many reasons why a student might need a different dressing...

This classroom exercise is a mash-up of two of my most favourite theatre games: Scenes from a Bag and Act It Out. This game works as a warm-up activity. It’s great for getting students to explore different ways of moving their bodies. They have to think quickly, imaginatively, and outside...

Liberty High School performed a way out performance of Jealousy Jane in the fall for their district festival. The original script calls for five actors and little more than a couple of cubes. Director Nathan Uhrig saw so much more. I love directors who are inspired by a script and...

You’re shopping for your next play. The stack of catalogues is to your left. There are seven open tabs on your computer from various publishing companies. Your eyes are bleary and if you have to read one more peppy description (only to be disappointed by the sample pages) you may...

Jim Hoare is the author ofYour High School Improv Show Playbook and has added a Virtual Performance Pandendum (Pandemic Addendum) to the resource for adapting improv to a virtual environment. For those of you looking to put on a virtual Improv show, here are his top five tips and games...

Episode 135: Starting from ScratchRuth Mirabella was asked to start a middle school drama program three years ago. They had the smallest stage imaginable and no sound equipment. Since she began, Ruth has more than doubled student interest. How did she do it? What did she do? How do you...

Episode 91: The 25 Hour Play Project Playwright and educator Corey-Jan Albert talks about working with student playwrights and how to get students from idea to finished product in 25 hours, including a staged reading! Show Notes• By Wheel and By Wing • A Lighter Shade of Noir by Patrick...

Episode 208: Production Case Study: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown Bekah Schneider is a teacher in South Korea and there was a lot to overcome with this production: students not knowing the source material, fear of failure, and doing choreography by Skype. After all that this was her best...

Episode 99: What do Drama Teachers Do In the Summer? Part Two.The biggest misconception is that all teachers head to the pool and relax for two months during the summer. We’ve got more teachers with more stories, tips, tricks and tools. Get great insight into how to plan for the...

Episode 141: The Arts Don’t Need To Be IsolatedAt Northwest Middle School in Flowood, MS, Emily Wright and Genifer Freeman worked on a play to support the school’s summer reading book – A Long Walk To Water. But that was just the beginning. Every class from English, to art to...

Episode 53: Acting Up: Interview with Playwright Clint SnyderLindsay talks with new-to-Theatrefolk playwright Clint Synder, author of Lord of the Pies. We talk about the writing process, writing plays for teenagers, and how does Clint feel about technology? Show Notes • Lord of the Pies by Clint Snyder Episode TranscriptLindsay:...

Episode 97: The International Teacher: when travel and teaching go hand in handRita Felder teaches in an International School in Korea. What’s it like? How did she prepare to teach students who speak English as a second language? She also shares why the summer is not just a time of...

If you’re looking for plays and musicals to include in your drama classroom library, look no further — here are 42 plays and musicals featuring LGBTQ+ characters, stories, and themes. Introduce these plays and musicals to your students, read them as a class, and check out performances of them (many...