I have been a drama and dance teacher for 25 years and have been Head of Drama at two schools. I am a GCSE Drama examiner, run musical theatre clubs, direct community productions and work as a practitioner at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall's open-air theatre under the stars. MY resources range from exam to KS3 schemes of work and stand alone lessons and offer drama and movement, various styles and scope for response, development, devising and evaluation.
I have been a drama and dance teacher for 25 years and have been Head of Drama at two schools. I am a GCSE Drama examiner, run musical theatre clubs, direct community productions and work as a practitioner at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall's open-air theatre under the stars. MY resources range from exam to KS3 schemes of work and stand alone lessons and offer drama and movement, various styles and scope for response, development, devising and evaluation.
A unit of work for students to learn about the style of Melodrama and using the elements to create a Silent Movie.
They will learn about the stock characters of Melodrama and the style of acting.
Using facial expression, characterisation, comedy and clear mime, a story will be created that can be filmed. The students will respond to various music (Charlie Chaplin is ideal) to show moods for each scene and also have the opportunity to use placards to link the story together. Some basic stage combat and chases is incorporated two. Can be taught over three 75-minute lessons resulting in performance and evaluation as well as providing the opportunity to source props and costumes and make placards as homework in preparation for the end performance. This pack includes three power points, a printable scene structure to give the students and an intensive scheme of work with built in games/warm-ups connected to the topic.
This scheme of work offers an introduction to Brecht. Various exercises and practical tasks will help the students to understand his ideas and theories and apply them to their own devising and performance work.
The 6 page unit includes tasks to explore:
Archetypes and Gestus
3rd person
V-effeckt
Episodic structure
A list of his techniques is included at the end of the scheme which could be printed off as a hand-out/checklist for the students.
The unit ends with a practical tasks using ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ as a stimulus to create their own Brechtian piece.
This unit uses a shoebox filled with various items as a stimulus for devising a group piece. The students will look at the contents of the box and establish connections and create plot, characters and location. The scheme of work suggests objects to place in the box. One box can be used for a whole class or a variety of boxes can be created so each group has their own.
10 drama warm-ups using socially distanced guidelines, These include vocal, physical, characterisation and improvisation.Suitable for age 8 to 18 as can be adapted to suit as suggested in the Teacher’s Notes.
Power Point and printable pdf file.
Please read before you buy in case not suitable for your school’s structure/policies Thank you
This complete scheme of work explores the plot, characters, themes and context of this classic comedy.
Skills included over ten 100 minute session are:
Vocal awareness
Physicalisation
Language
Characterisation
Interpretation
Non-verbal communication
Visual, aural and spatial aspects
Context
This scheme of work explores Olwen Wymark’s ‘Find Me’ in numerous ways. The tasks explore use of voice and movement, off text work, characterisation, plot and context.
This scheme of work and powerpoint is an introduction to the styles and features of Slapstick and Farce. It include clear examples, ideas for clips to watch, the history of the styles and connected warm-ups. After exploring both styles and experimenting, it leads the students into creating a comedy farce piece using features of Slapstick.
Comedy
Slapstick
Mime
Response to music
Props and costume
This resource includes a short script featuring most of the well-loved characters of this tale. I have added Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee too.
A cast list is included and a synopsis of the story for those unfamiliar with the plot or for playing Whoosh as an introduction and a list of suggestions for music and sound.
Suitable for all ages with scope for a large cast.
This resource includes a short script that has scope for adapting and options for dances. Many parts which can be extended. A synopsis of the story for those unfamiliar with the plot or for playing Whoosh as an introduction. It also includes a cast list and ideas for sound and music to use.
This resource includes a script, cast list and ideas for sound and music to use.
Suitable for a large cast or all ages with room for expansion and includes options for dance. The script can be adapted/changed to include topical/local jokes.
This resources includes a short script involving the main events and characters of this well-loved story.
I have also included ideas for sound effects and music and a synopsis for those who are not familiar with the story or for playing Whoosh as an introduction to the plot.
It is suitable for age 7 and up and can accommodate many roles which can be expanded with more Lost Boys (children) and pirates as necessary.
This resource includes a script, cast list, ideas for props, sound and music and a synopsis of the story for those unfamiliar with the plot or for playing Whoosh to introduce the events and characters.
Suitable for all ages and a large cast, the script also suggest opportunities for movement/dance.
This unit of work introduces students to the concepts of prequel and sequel to devise their own drama based on fairy-tales.
The powerpoint explains the concepts and gives them the opportunity to explore and experiment with plot, location, character and era.
A planning sheet is included and some brief synopses of fairy-tales if inspiration is needed!
This scheme of work uses mime, movement, props, costume, space and comedy as well as music.
In section 1, the students will act as mannequins being ‘arranged and dressed’ by one or two students as window dressers. This takes great concentration and stillness and controlled facial expression.
The window dresser(s) in contrast should be larger than life characters that are very flamboyant and precise in their work. Shop muzak can be used to help timing and comedic effect.
The second section after the dresser is happy with their display involves a change in music and the mannequins gradually come to life. This challenges the students’ movement skills, timing and reactions.
A guide is given for the content of each section but the students may have their own ideas for the type of shop display and what happens in the end.
Great scope for exploring the use of props, costume, movement and space. Extension of creating dialogue between the mannequins and/or window dressers.
This lesson (or two lessons depending on length) introduces students to the names of parts of the stage. It also include practical activities to reinforce where the parts of the stage are, explains stage right and stage left and explores the use of the split stage.
Beautiful story from Bali, very different to traditional fairytales.
A clear narrative to enable students to dramatise the story in their own way. Lots of interesting characters and scope for physical theatre. Options for multi-roling, narration, characterisation, exploring use of music and sound effects and costume. This powerpoint leads the students through the process of turning page to stage with connected warm-up to introduce the story. The story is included and a script adapted from the original story as printable documents and a detailed scheme of work. Can be taught over 3/4 75 minutes lessons but could be adapted/condensed depending on the length of your lessons. Several worksheets are also included for extension work in various areas that could be used for homework or classroom lessons.
This full scheme of work offers opportunities for the students to explore the text in a variety of ways. Tasks incorporate plot, themes, context, character through practical exploration and ideas for recording their findings as a diary. Although written a long time ago, the themes of the horror of war and PTSS are relevant today.
Skills included over several sessions are:
Vocal awareness
Physicalisation
Language
Characterisation
Interpretation
Non-verbal communication
Visual, aural and spatial aspects
Context
A bundle of Drama activities to set students you are unable to physically see to teach. Various tasks including characterisation, preparing monologues for performance, set and costume design, script writing, response to music and art.
Suitable for ages 11 to 18 as can be adapted according to suit set texts and particular styles being studied. Useful as preparation for performance and written exams and group work when back in class.
This scheme of work will introduce your students to the basic principles of using masks in theatre. The unit uses Trestle masks but can be adapted to suit. The range of warm-ups and ten tasks incorporates the key features and terms of using masks including clocking, centres of weight, facing front and passing focus. These explorations lead up to creating a masked group piece. Would also be a useful introduction to lead into Commedia D’ell Arte.
Characterisation
Body language
Gesture
Speed
Weight
Timing
Stance
This scheme uses urban legends as a starting point for devising.
It includes several lesson exploring the key features of urban legends in a powerpoint. Several urban legends are included and a sheet of key features for students to check they are including the right things.
Style/form
Characterisation
Narration
Role play
Music
Sound effects