Theater Books Every Drama Teacher Should Know
From time to time, I read of teachers having funds left nearing the end of the year. They are frantically trying to spend any left over funds in their budget. If you aren’t familiar with this kind of fervor. Please know this–many times if a teacher does not use up their budget, it is given to someone else! And we don’t want that to happen, now do we?
Usually, I suggest items such as rehearsal boxes, makeup kits, a light tree, etc. But today I’m blogging only about books I recommend you collect for your teaching library. Here is a list of my ” Theater Books Every Drama Teacher Should Own”.
When I began teaching like a hundred years ago, there weren’t too many resources from which to teach. Of course, we had play anthologies, but nothing much for the day-to-day class. No one had ventured into teaching young students yet. I mean, this was 1980! If you’d like more information about that journey, check out: How to Make Your Drama Class Successful-Lessons Learned from 38 Years of Teaching High School.
Now you can find many books focusing on particular grade levels. I’ve included several for each grade level here.
Theater Books Every Drama Teacher Should Own
Theater Games for the Classroom by Viola Spolin–This theater book is absolutely essential for you (and a personal favorite of mine), especially if you are teaching elementary or middle school students. This best-selling book by Viola Spolin offers the most comprehensive theater instruction for all types of students, from small children to young adults. It includes over 130 theater games, plus exercises and instructional strategies. First developed by Spolin, the originator of modern improvisational theater techniques, these games have been tried and tested for over fifty years. I’ll tell you a secret–most of the books that are published about warm up games and exercises used this one as a stepping off point for theirs! In other words, go to the original source.
2. Multicultural Plays for Children Volume 2 by Pamela Gerke–When I taught middle school students a pre-elective course, I used several plays from this theater book collection. These excellent dramatic adaptations of 10 folktales from various countries and cultures will help fill that void. Most importantly I think each play is based on a story from the oral tradition that has retained. Consequently through many alterations across time, these plays share a core of truth about human nature and life.
Furthermore, this book includes a substantial introductory section that addresses many concerns: adapting a play for various cast sizes; changing gender, setting, and length; vocal-projection exercises and theater games; plus many useful suggestions for production.
Also, each play has detailed directions for creating sets, props, costumes. In addition, it includes a realistic timetable for rehearsals and other production needs, and a pronunciation guide. Talk about really helpful for a teacher! Music is included, as is extensive information about some cultures that will extend and enrich the experience for children. Included: The Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Romeo and Julie, and The Tempest, etc.
Inspire Movement Through Story and Song
4.Beautiful Stories for Children by Edith Nesbit -When I taught an introduction to Shakespeare course, I used this theater book with middle schoolers. We read the stories, minus Shakespeare’s play versions. William Shakespeare is arguably the most pivotal and widely read figure in the history of English literature. This comprehensive collection highlights some of the bard’s best works. Plus, they have been adapted to be more easily read and digestible for children.
Included are the stories of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, As You Like It, The Winter’s Tale, King Lear, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, Pericles, Hamlet, Cymbeline and Macbeth. Also, included are the stories of The Comedy of Errors, The Merchant of Venice, Timon of Athens, Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure, Two Gentlemen of Verona, All’s Well That Ends Well.
Acting from the Inside Out: Tools for Voice, Body, and Imagination
5. Building a Character–Building a Character by Constantin Stanislavski is one of the three volumes that make up Stanislavski’s The Acting Trilogy. An Actor Prepares explores the inner preparation an actor must undergo in order to explore a role to the full. In this volume, Sir John Gielgud said, this great director “found time to explain a thousand things that have always troubled actors and fascinated students.”
Building a Character discusses the external techniques of acting: the use of the body, movement, diction, singing, expression, and control. Plus, it describes the preparation that precedes actual performance. This theater book includes extensive discussions of Gogol’s The Inspector General and Shakespeare’s Othello. Lastly, Sir Paul Scofield called Creating a Role “immeasurably important” for the actor.
Additionally, If you are ready to teach Stanislavski’s methods, check out: Theater of Acting Unit The Konstantin Stanislavski Acting Styles Method Memory
6. We’re Live! Radio Theater #101 by Deborah Baldwin–Written by me, this theater book is the ultimate resource for drama teachers looking to introduce students to the exciting world of radio theater. Designed for grades 2–12, this book walks educators through the process of creating, rehearsing, and performing radio plays. And with no costumes or sets required! Inside, you’ll find student-friendly scripts, production tips, voice acting techniques, and simple sound effect ideas that bring stories to life using only imagination and sound.
Whether you’re tight on time, space, or resources, We’re Live! offers a creative and flexible way to engage students in storytelling, collaboration, and performance. It’s perfect for in-class use, distance learning, or even podcast projects. Lastly, my book guides and empowers teachers to step into the role of radio director and help students shine—mic in hand and voices ready!
7. Curtains Up! Theatre Games and Storytelling by Robert Rubinstein– If you teach students in upper elementary and middle school, this would be one of the first books I’d suggest to you. I learned about it at a MSTA convention (sponsored by Educational Theatre Association) many years ago. Theatre games help to develop students’ skills in storytelling, improvisation, and public speaking. They also build confidence, teamwork, and vocabulary. This is a collection of theatre games which have been classroom tested. Try the collaborative and fun activity “The Monster with Three Heads.” Pick up a copy of this exercise here: Three Headed Monster. I guarantee you, your students will love it!
Looking for free lessons? Check out: Free Stuff!
What theater books would you suggest to a theater teacher? I’d love to include it in a blog post planned for the near future. Just contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com
Click here: We’re Live! Radio Theater #101
