National Drama Patrons
National Drama is proud to have such distinguished Patrons that are collaborating with us to inspire our young people and each other.
Pilot Theatre
Pilot Theatre is a York-based company, creating and delivering theatre and digital projects nationally and internationally.
Participating in Drama develops self-expression, confidence and self-esteem, and builds our capacity for empathy. Understanding the different lives people lead enables us to reflect on our own experiences and also to value and respect our differences. Making theatre is collaborative and requires people to support each other – it fosters team-building, friendship, and communication skills. 
Participating in Drama develops self-expression, confidence and self-esteem, and builds our capacity for empathy. Understanding the different lives people lead enables us to reflect on our own experiences and also to value and respect our differences. Making theatre is collaborative and requires people to support each other – it fosters team-building, friendship, and communication skills. John Godber Company
John’s plays are performed across the world. He has the distinction of being one of the most performed writers in the English language. He has won numerous awards for his plays, including a Laurence Olivier Award and seven Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.
I urge drama teachers everywhere, and anyone with even a passing interest in drama, in any aspects of education, to get behind National Drama and see the terrific work they are doing and intend to do!
I urge drama teachers everywhere, and anyone with even a passing interest in drama, in any aspects of education, to get behind National Drama and see the terrific work they are doing and intend to do!
Jane is a co–director of the John Godber Company. She has extensive stage writing credits, as well as acting and directing and has also run her own award winning youth theatre company.
I’d encourage every drama teacher to join National Drama . Their resources, opportunities and unequivocal support for this important subject is second to none. Also, if you’re a theatre practitioner who has time on your hands right now, please consider reaching out to this fantastic association and offering your support. Your skills, knowledge and undeniable passion for the subject could help and inspire the next generation of performers and theatre audiences, because for so many, a love of theatre begins in a school drama lesson.
I’d encourage every drama teacher to join National Drama . Their resources, opportunities and unequivocal support for this important subject is second to none. Also, if you’re a theatre practitioner who has time on your hands right now, please consider reaching out to this fantastic association and offering your support. Your skills, knowledge and undeniable passion for the subject could help and inspire the next generation of performers and theatre audiences, because for so many, a love of theatre begins in a school drama lesson. 
Jessica Hynes
Jessica is an accomplished actor, director and writer and has worked extensively in film, television and theatre.
Drama matters because it’s in the drama classroom that we learn how to communicate, we learn confidence, and we learn how to express ourselves. And if we do not elevate and venerate these skills, then it’s not just the children that will suffer, but it’s society as a whole, and that’s why we must keep drama in schools. In fact I don’t want to save it, I want it to be compulsory because it’s going to make the world a better place.
Drama matters because it’s in the drama classroom that we learn how to communicate, we learn confidence, and we learn how to express ourselves. And if we do not elevate and venerate these skills, then it’s not just the children that will suffer, but it’s society as a whole, and that’s why we must keep drama in schools. In fact I don’t want to save it, I want it to be compulsory because it’s going to make the world a better place. LUNG Theatre Company
Founded in Barnsley in 2012, LUNG is a campaign led verbatim theatre company that tours work nationally. They work closely with different communities to make verbatim theatre and hidden voices heard.
At LUNG we believe art can change the world. This can be on a big or small scale – a play can allow us to challenge, can shift narratives and perspectives and can call for systematic change, and a drama workshop or lesson in a school can encourage a young person to speak up and find their voice. Drama is an instinct. As far back as there were humans there was storytelling – it is our natural way of unpacking and understanding the world around us.
At LUNG we believe art can change the world. This can be on a big or small scale – a play can allow us to challenge, can shift narratives and perspectives and can call for systematic change, and a drama workshop or lesson in a school can encourage a young person to speak up and find their voice. Drama is an instinct. As far back as there were humans there was storytelling – it is our natural way of unpacking and understanding the world around us. 
The Paper Birds
The Paper Birds is a devising theatre company, with a social and political agenda. They are recognised as UK leaders in verbatim theatre.
Drama Matters because it provides young people in every school, from all backgrounds, with a voice. Whether we shout out to the auditorium or stand at the back, drama provides all of us who take part with a platform to be heard and make our mark. It is central to building skills in collaboration, social cohesion and hard work. If you’ve studied drama, you can do anything!
Drama Matters because it provides young people in every school, from all backgrounds, with a voice. Whether we shout out to the auditorium or stand at the back, drama provides all of us who take part with a platform to be heard and make our mark. It is central to building skills in collaboration, social cohesion and hard work. If you’ve studied drama, you can do anything! Splendid Productions
Alex Wheatle
Alex is the best selling author of Brixton Rock and the award winning Crongton series.Hearing people listen to you read lines, hearing your voice, that sense of being listened to gives achievement, builds confidence, enables fun in learning. That’s my plea. That all children have access to proper Drama lessons. If I could sit with policy makers in a room, that’s what I would tell them.
