Saturday, January 9, 2021
Welcome to Part 2 of Theatrefolk’s Superhero Series! In our last post, we talked about creating an original superhero character. Now we’re going to give the superhero a sidekick. Batman …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, January 2, 2021
We’re starting 2021 off with a fun series of exercises focused on superheroes, supervillains, and super sidekicks! You’ll find ideas for character creation, playwriting opportunities, di…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, December 26, 2020
Wow — we’ve made it to the end of the year. Teaching has looked very different recently, but give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. We have the opportunity now to rest, r…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, December 19, 2020
We don’t teach drama and direct shows to receive gifts, but it’s always a nice surprise to receive something in recognition of the effort we put into our work. At the end of the term, or…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, December 12, 2020
When was the last time you partook in some self-care? Does the thought of self-care feel indulgent or like something you have to earn or treat yourself to? What if you made sure self-care wa…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, December 5, 2020
Distance learning using video conferencing software is full of surprises and challenges. Some days, connecting and running your class goes off without a hitch. Other days, it seems like anyt…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, November 28, 2020
It’s not unusual to feel slightly disconnected from students while teaching virtually (and we don’t mean when the internet stops working!). Drama classes are all about human connection a…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, November 21, 2020
When teaching virtually to students with their cameras on, teachers get to witness all sorts of interesting student antics — students tuning in from strange locations (their closet, their …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, November 14, 2020
Let’s not mince words — distance learning is challenging. Teachers and students alike are missing out on that “real life” connection that in-person drama class provides, it’s hard …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, November 7, 2020
Our world has become increasingly dependent on digital means to work, play, and learn, and school is no exception. More and more students are participating in distance learning for their cla…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, October 31, 2020
When students are acting on camera – like when they are participating in a virtual drama class, or doing an online performance – their playing space is the rectangular area visible in th…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, October 24, 2020
The following exercise, Lipdub, brings together observation, critical thinking, scene writing, and vocal performance. As well, it’s a lot of fun! Lipdubs are commonly seen on YouTube as mu…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMTuesday, October 13, 2020
Here’s a playwriting prompt exercise that takes advantage of something that’s frequently around us: advertisements! Ads are everywhere, and their main purpose is to sell us stuff. But we…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, October 10, 2020
Are your students feeling overwhelmed with possibilities for writing a new monologue? Do they need help focusing on one idea? Or are you simply looking for a way to get your students writing…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, September 26, 2020
The core tenet of improvisation is “Yes, and…” To keep the scene going, each participant must agree with any suggestion that is brought forward, and add something on. It’s a balance …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, September 19, 2020
Keeping students focused and engaged is challenging enough in the drama classroom. It can be just as challenging trying to deal with disruptions in the virtual classroom, because you’re no…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, September 12, 2020
It can be difficult to get students to really feel committed to distance learning. It’s so easy for students to check out when they’re not physically present in a classroom. They may str…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, September 5, 2020
We’ve talked at length on the Theatrefolk blog about how studying drama can benefit students outside the drama classroom and how students can learn and develop soft skills from working on…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, August 29, 2020
Here’s a warm-up game that is a lot of fun and gets students’ energy up. It’s a plus if you and your students are studying puppetry, but it’s not necessary to have done so. This is a…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMTuesday, August 18, 2020
This warm-up game helps students work on a variety of skills: improvising, listening, observing, and working as a team. At the same time, it’s pretty silly and good for a laugh! This game …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, August 15, 2020
The mirror game is one of the most common exercises in the drama classroom. Students are grouped into pairs, facing each other. One student is the leader and moves their face and body in slo…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, August 8, 2020
This warm-up exercise is perfect for days when your students are feeling stressed, frustrated, or unfocused. You can use it at the start of class to help students clear their brains, or mid-…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, August 1, 2020
This improv warm-up game helps students think quickly and creatively, listen to their peers, and choose their words with care. It can be done in person in the drama classroom (with physical …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, July 25, 2020
One of the biggest challenges and disappointments of the current pandemic situation is the loss of live theatre production opportunities. Shows have been cancelled and postponed and we don�…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMTuesday, July 14, 2020
Drama isn’t always the easiest subject to adapt to distance learning. So much of what makes drama fun and worthwhile involves human interaction. Seeing students engage with one another, cr…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, July 11, 2020
At the beginning of a new term of drama classes, you need to inform students about classroom rules and expectations to start on a positive note. However, when teaching drama via distance lea…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, July 4, 2020
There are many things to think about when it comes to designing your virtual classroom. Background When teaching classes via video conferencing, it’s good to think about what’s going on …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, June 27, 2020
Keeping students actively engaged while teaching via distance learning can be frustrating at times. It can be more difficult for students to focus in a distance learning situation than in a …
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMTuesday, June 16, 2020
Casting a show, or even a class reading, is a tricky business. It takes care and thought to find just the right person to fill each role. As the song “I Hope I Get It” from A Chorus Line…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, June 13, 2020
In this multi-part exercise, students will write monologues based on the concept of an “I want/I wish” song, which is used by a character to share their heart’s desire. It is primarily…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AMSaturday, June 6, 2020
Respect and inclusivity are vital in the drama classroom. One way to demonstrate respect and inclusivity is to use students’ personal pronouns correctly. How does a person wish to be refer…
SOURCE: Theatrefolk at 01:00AM 
