Teach Playwriting with Norman Rockwell Paintings
Teach Playwriting with Norman Rockwell Paintings When I taught playwriting, one of the biggest challenges was helping students move past the blank page. That’s why I began to teach playwriting with Norman Rockwell paintings, using images filled with character, emotion, and story to spark student ideas. Instead of asking students to invent everything from scratch, […]
Why Masks Help Reluctant Students Shine in Drama Class
Why Masks Help Reluctant Students Shine in Drama Class There was always room for creativity in my drama classroom. That is part of my mission—to approach theater from every angle, not just through acting. And like every drama teacher, I knew that student—the one who quietly hoped I wouldn’t call on them. They avoided eye […]
Black Theater Artists to Explore: Beyond the Famous
Black Theater Artists to Explore: Beyond the Famous It’s February — and if you’re like many drama teachers, you’re balancing packed schedules while trying to make Black History Month meaningful and authentic for your students. Over the years, I’ve noticed the same pattern: we want to go beyond the familiar names but aren’t always sure […]
Beyond the Stage: Theater Arts Projects for Students
Beyond the Stage: Theater Arts Projects for Students When teachers think about theater education, scripts and stage lights often come to mind first. I do, too! But Beyond the Stage: Theater Arts Projects for Students is about something broader—projects that invite movement, rhythm, silence, collaboration, and risk-taking. These experiences often engage students who may not […]
Afraid to Teach Devising Theater in Your Classroom?
Afraid to Teach Devising Theater in Your Classroom? If the words “Let’s devise a scene!” make your students stare back at you like deer in headlights—you’re not alone. Many teachers are afraid to teach devising theater in the classroom. I, for one, understand! It can feel abstract or a little chaotic at first. To be […]
Why Drama Circles Work in the Elementary Classroom
Why Drama Circles Work in the Elementary Classroom “How Drama Circles work in the Elementary Classroom” is a topic that’s close to my heart—mostly because you are far “more fortunate than I ever was. When I began teaching, I had absolutely no resources for the theater classes I taught. I was constantly tweaking college-level acting […]