Here you will find lists,lessons and exercises. Some of them you may have participated in during the workshop or presentation. If it is one I use regularly during presentations I will try to use the same terminology and instructions so that you can identify it. I have categorized the lessons so that you can go to a specific area to find what you need. If you are a math teacher who teachers 90 minute classes and you don't have a lot of spare time - feel free to stick to the "warm-ups" section. even one warm-up or "drama" break can re-energize your students. And don't forget to participate yourself.
Warm-ups are a tradition in theater (and P.E.) and something that is lost in the general education classroom. It is a time to re-engage the mind, move the body, excite the "fun" portion of the brain, and focus the energy on your classroom. 5-15 minutes can change the whole feel of a room. Find two or three warm-ups that you can manage well, use them several times and then branch out. Your kids will thank you for it and if done correctly you will have much more productive classes (heck, bring them to "teacher workshops" and you will have much more productive teachers!)
Basically, Improvisation, or Improv for short, is "making stuff up". In the theater or drama lesson, Improv is used to encourage quick thinking, creativity, teamwork, give and take, character development, and allow the students to have fun laughing with their peers. Improvisation is as old as the hills. Documentation of improvisation techniques date back to the Renaissance and Commedia del'Arte. Students love improv and I encourage you to use it regularly. Their ability to improv will increase the more you use it. Click the link above for access to some improv games and exercises.
Some exercises that can be included in more than one category. Some are Improv, some can be made into a longer lesson, and some longer ones can be used as a 10 minute warm-up. You choose, experiment and see what sticks.
Here are some reproducibles I have collected over the years. I got them from teaching artist workshops - from other theater teachers - and some I just compiled. As I say in the disclaimer" theater practitioners borrow from each other all the time". Feel free to print them and use them in your class. If you have success with one, try it again or send me an email explaining what worked or didn't work.
Warm-ups
Warm-ups are a tradition in theater (and P.E.) and something that is lost in the general education classroom. It is a time to re-engage the mind, move the body, excite the "fun" portion of the brain, and focus the energy on your classroom. 5-15 minutes can change the whole feel of a room. Find two or three warm-ups that you can manage well, use them several times and then branch out. Your kids will thank you for it and if done correctly you will have much more productive classes (heck, bring them to "teacher workshops" and you will have much more productive teachers!)Improvisation
Basically, Improvisation, or Improv for short, is "making stuff up". In the theater or drama lesson, Improv is used to encourage quick thinking, creativity, teamwork, give and take, character development, and allow the students to have fun laughing with their peers. Improvisation is as old as the hills. Documentation of improvisation techniques date back to the Renaissance and Commedia del'Arte. Students love improv and I encourage you to use it regularly. Their ability to improv will increase the more you use it. Click the link above for access to some improv games and exercises.Exercises, Lessons, Improv
Some exercises that can be included in more than one category. Some are Improv, some can be made into a longer lesson, and some longer ones can be used as a 10 minute warm-up. You choose, experiment and see what sticks.Reproducible Material
Here are some reproducibles I have collected over the years. I got them from teaching artist workshops - from other theater teachers - and some I just compiled. As I say in the disclaimer" theater practitioners borrow from each other all the time". Feel free to print them and use them in your class. If you have success with one, try it again or send me an email explaining what worked or didn't work.