Resources and links to assist with teaching and learning
Here we have collated some external resources from various organisations to support your teaching. This is not an exhaustive list and we will keep updating. Please quality assure BEFORE sharing with your students. National Drama is not responsible for the content of these external links. Members of National Drama can access teaching and CPD resources via our Member Resources page by logging into their account.
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- Secondary
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy is the national teaching resource and online classroom set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AQA Devising Module – ‘The Happy Human’
Working on the traverse throughout the students are introduced to the diverse stories of sexuality, gender and identity from the past.
Resources from Transforming the Canon in School Drama CPD
This fantastic event held in January gave participants a wealth of information about how they can make their Drama curriculum more representative, inclusive and relevant. If you missed it, or want a reminder, here are some of the resources shared at the event.
Dramatic Elements scheme of learning
This scheme of learning by Ryan Coates is inspired by Haseman and O’Toole (1987)
Students will learn about the fundamental dramatic elements required for any performance.
Rediscovering Alice workshop
Playscript by David Lawson Lean. Trialled in school since lockdown, it is possible to work with this creatively and safely. Lesson ideas provided also
Resources and links to assist with distance learning
Learning Resources
The Paper Birds
Theatre creativity cards
Bitesize Playwriting
Bitesize Playwriting is a new initiative and competition for schools from touring theatre company Tamasha, intended to support secondary school Drama teachers continue to teach their subject during the coronavirus lockdown.
Kiln Theatre
Kiln Insight is a programme of ways for you to keep in touch, learn more about, and get involved with Kiln Theatre's artistic output. From exclusive interviews, webinars and filmed content, there’s something for everyone.
Vamos Theatre
To help anyone who needs it, we've been working hard to create new resources for teachers, students, mask actors and anyone else interested in mask theatre. These short films show you how mask acting works, and are great fun too!
Blue Elephant Theatre
While we're in lockdown again, Blue Elephant Theatre is bringing more free drama workshops, especially aimed at primary school-age children, to brighten up the week.
Frantic Assembly
Frantic Digital is a new resource designed to take you behind the scenes of the Frantic Method; sharing insights into the creative and rehearsal process, practical creative tasks and fun, production related warm ups that can all be safely tried at home.
Drama Resource
David Farmer inspires, motivates and educates teachers about the power of drama to transform learning.
Mental Health Resources
Get into Theatre highlight some companies, charities and websites that offer support around mental health aimed at those working in the theatre and performing arts industry.
The Bigger Room Project
Free Monthly events via Zoom and Facebook featuring Industry Leaders - from the UK and the wider world - giving Masterclasses.
Education Resource Packs
We’ve made all our School’s Resource Packs from previous productions available to be downloaded online for use by teachers and home-schooling parents.
N-Act theatre company
N-Act Online was developed during lockdown to provide high quality productions and resources for schools. Here you can find links to videos and PDF documents to help you teach both online, and in a socially-distanced classroom.
Fourth Wall: Playwrights in Lockdown
Dan Rebellato has set up a series of interviews via Zoom with British playwrights to talk about their art, their craft, and their plays. There's plenty here for anyone who wants to understand these writers better or is looking for inspiration on how to write a play.
'Rediscovering Alice' - suitable for KS2+
Playscript by David Lawson Lean. Trialled in school since lockdown, it is possible to work with this creatively and safely. Lesson ideas provided also.
Scheme of Learning by Ryan Coates
Inspired by the work of John O'Toole (Dramawise). Students will learn about the fundamental dramatic elements required for any performance.
Burts Drama
Burts Drama for online learning – lots of accessible ideas for lessons.
Theatre Resources for Isolation
Theatre Resources for Isolation – lots of links to online resources complied by Ollie Jones from University of York.
Performances
Wizard Presents
Wizard Presents, set up by John and Danyah Miller create inspiring and compelling theatre shows and musicals for all ages.
Lockdown Theatre Festival
The Lockdown Theatre Festival was set up by Actor Bertie Carvel as a response to the coronavirus crisis.
The Unicorn Online
A new digital theatre project for young audiences during the building’s closure. Launching with Anansi the Spider Re-spun and streamed in partnership with The Guardian.
The Old Vic
A selection of full length Old Vic archive recordings of selected productions will be hosted for free on The Old Vic’s YouTube channel.
Pentabus
Recordings are released weekly on a Friday at 2pm for anyone to access.
Nick Hern Books
NHB are now inviting applications to license Nick Hern Books plays for amateur online performance. With theatres currently closed, an online performance is the perfect way to bring your members or students together to keep sharing your passion.
Essentials by John Godber
A wry, new, six part radio drama which takes place over breakfast in the kitchen of a Yorkshire family. Tension, comedy, and burnt toast whilst they wrestle with the realities of Lockdown UK.
Splendid Productions
Splendid Productions extends access to its collection of filmed performances available to stream online at vimeo.com. FREE to those who bought DVDS. Other offers available.
Keep Theatre Alive
A collection of links to fabulous live theatre experiences, compiled by Liz Segal. PLEASE vet for age appropriateness.
Globe Player
FREE content from MyGlobePlayer
National Theatre
National Theatre Drama Teacher Conference 2021 - 15th-20th February
Rep Reloaded
The REP has a national reputation for its innovative engagement projects, including city-wide Youth Theatre groups and creative learning in schools. Now, with the theatre temporarily closed, they are offering their trailblazing services online.
Video
If Not Now Then When? A project about children’s rights.
A three-month visual theatre project with year 5 at Keys Meadow primary school inspired by the book ‘A Sailing Boat in the Sky’ by Quentin Blake.
Drama Matters
Why does Drama Matter? Watch this video to see and hear the critical importance of drama education in the curriculum.
Company Three
The Coronavirus Time Capsule is a new project by Company Three. Every week we - and more than a hundred groups of teenagers across the world - create new videos giving an insight into young people’s experience of lockdown.
Aftermath, written by Gill Horitz and Tony Horitz
A State of Play Arts and ScreenPLAY co-production for the Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne, funded by the Heritage Lottery. It premieres online on Monday May 25th at 7pm on YouTube.
Blood Brothers
High School Production by Theatre Ink
Directed by Kelsey Fox and Juliet Roll
Life is Drama
Enjoy the inspirational Dorothy Heathcote
(2009 - New York University)
Pilot Connects
Q&A with Author Alex Wheatle, hosted by Esther Richardson
The Vulture's Song
Full video of The Vulture’s Song by Mike Kenny and Blah Blah Blah
Girls Like That
A Synergy Theatre Project/ Unicorn Theatre production. (age 13+)