The National Theatre in London has revealed a number of new workshops for Primary and Secondary schools relating to Drama and English studies.
Teachers booking a school trip to the theatre can choose from workshops linking to specific National Theatre productions like Peter Pan, or book in to lessons in things like puppetry and verbatim theatre.
Primary school learning
Make Theatre Days are described as an active and thrilling introduction to theatre-making and the backstage world of the National Theatre for Years 4 to 6.
There is a choice of four different Make Theatre Days, linking to different aspects of theatre-making: puppetry skills, performance skills, technical skills and design skills. These days are available to book throughout the year for a maximum of 32 children per session.
Teachers can opt for ties to specific productions, too. Year 5 and 6 students can watch the Christmas production of Peter Pan, and follow it up by finding out how the production was created.
This package is available for up to 35 pupils at the matinee performance of Peter Pan on Thursday 8th December.
Secondary school learning
Older students can take workshops that are designed to support Drama and Theatre Studies at Key Stage 3 and 4 and post-16 levels.
These sessions are available in acting, directing or design and can focus on any production in the current National Theatre repertoire.
Secondary school pupils can also visit the National Theatre for free sessions called Archive Learning Days on selected 2016 dates.
Visiting pupils can explore the practises of Bertolt Brecht on 10th October; the play King Lear on 21st November; and the documentary style of verbatim theatre on 22nd November.
All three of these sessions run from 10am until 3.30pm, and must be booked in advance.
Opportunities for teachers
As well as workshops for students, there are several opportunities for teachers, including a CPD session exploring The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
This is a two-day course in October for English teachers introducing exercises and strategies to bring the text to life in the classroom.
And next February there will be a Drama Teacher Conference, comprising two days of exploring theatre practice through workshops, talks, discussions and masterclasses. Dates are yet to be confirmed.
For further information visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.
(Photo credit: Ludovic des Cognets).
