Theater & Dance
Resources for Teachers
In Defense of Our Teachers
This super special video called “In Defense of Our Teachers” is an audio message brought to you by Dave Grohl, dad, rockstar, and American singer-songwriter of the FooFighters. It was originally an essay published in The Atlantic to explain the concerns many teachers are feeling right now because of the global pandemic. As the child of a (now retired) educator, he relays his mother’s advice as well as highlights the essentiality of teachers in our current world.
Shakespeare and Race
If one wants to teach Shakespeare, one must also know the racial implications of the times that the plays were published, as well as how they are performed today. Here are two videos discussing the topic “Shakespeare and Race: A Conversation with Kyle Grady” from the UCI Shakespeare Center, and “Shakespeare's Birthday 2020: Whiteness: A Primer for Understanding Shakespeare” with Ian Smith by “Folger Library”.
Geffen Playhouse Educator Resources
The Geffen Playhouse has compiled a list of pdf study guides for teachers and students regarding all things theater. These include “How to Use a Study Guide”, to model how these documents to should be approached, “Overview of Theater” which gives a brief synopsis for anyone who has never seen or done theater, and more in specific guides for topics such as “Audience Etiquette”, “Pre- And Post- Show Sessions”, and perhaps the most useful, “Glossary of Theater Terms”.
The Kennedy Center Lesson Plans
The Kennedy Center website hosts many different lesson plans for children of all ages. This specific lesson plan, for students grades 3-5 combines environmental justice education with art and theater to create a very interdisciplinary lesson. Students will watch a video and discuss the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” model and ultimately work together in reading, writing, and acting in a commercial presentation.
Drama Menu
For some in person theater games, check out the video uploads from the “Drama Menu” channel! The videos include an acting teacher and his students explaining and demonstrating fun games they actually play in the classroom!
Theaterish
“Theaterish'' crowdsourced this incredibly large compilation of resources after the closure of theaters and schools. They have resources for teachers and students, organized by grade level and focus in an easy to navigate hyperlink page, including free videos of performances. You can even submit your very own resource to be considered for the page!
TedX Talks, “Lessons In Theatre That Have Nothing to Do With Acting”
Theater is education; interpersonally and individually. TEDx Talks presents “Lessons In Theatre That Have Nothing to Do With Acting” with Marianne Adams, theater educator and theater director. If you are a theater or arts educator yourself, check out this video to convey these messages to your own students!
Technical Videos on Improv
Here are some videos about the technical aspects of improv! From covering rules like “Yes, and…” to real life examples of improv comedy. Which ways do the scenes work out? What makes the pieces worth watching? Speakers include people like Jennifer Hunter who “explores how we can use improvisational comedy everyday to achieve a greater sense of self. In this video, Improv comedy will change the world”.
Kid’s Improv Games
Children are the most natural improvisers out there! Any time we play pretend, we are unknowingly honing our improv skills! Directly target these skills with super fun and interesting games made for children of all ages. Here are some articles that explain how to teach improv to kids, what games are best, and why it is important in acting and life in general.
Recognizing Systemic Racism In Dance
If you are an educator of any sort, it is imperative that you recognize the often inherent systemic racism in the cannon or technique of the subject or craft you are teaching. Dance is no exception to this! Read the following article before you begin teaching movement to children in order for you to recognize your own bias in the classroom and work towards teaching in an antiracist way.
NCAS Supplemental Resources
This webpage of National Core Arts Standards in Dance (NCAS) Resources has lesson plans and guides for standardized dance education of all ages. They provide great examples for class activities to be done both in person and online. Separated by grade level and subject, the wide variety of resources provided on the National Dance Education Organization’s website are valuable to any performing arts teacher.
