The Drama Group

Dean goes to the theatre with his family. He enjoys it so much, his friend James encourages him to go to a drama group. He's very nervous and finds it hard to join in at first. But once he gets to know people he has a really good time, doing both backstage roles and acting. Drama groups are a good way to meet new friends and to take part in a theatre production. You can be an actor, or take on a backstage role – like painting the scenery, lighting, make-up, or stage management. Every role in a theatre production is important – if somebody doesn't turn up, the show can't go on. This book will encourage those who'd like to give acting, or backstage roles, a try, by giving examples of activities, as well as illustrating the process of putting on a play.

Packed full of drama games, ideas and suggestions, Drama Menu is a unique new resource for drama teachers.

Real Life Drama is the classic history of the remarkable group that revitalized American theater in the 1930s by engaging urgent social and moral issues that still resonate today. Born in the turbulent decade of the Depression, the Group Theatre revolutionized American arts. Wendy Smith's dramatic narrative brings the influential troupe and its founders to life once again, capturing their joys and pains, their triumphs and defeats. Filled with fresh insights into the towering personalities of Harold Clurman, Lee Strasberg, Cheryl Crawford, Elia Kazan, Clifford Odets, Stella and Luther Adler, Karl Malden, and Lee J. Cobb, among many others, Real Life Drama chronicles a passionate community of idealists as they opened a new frontier in theater.

"Zoe and her friends are looking forward to a fun summer at Footlights--their local youth drama club. When their leader, the charismatic Mr. Beaven, announces he wants to put on a major production at the end of the holidays, the whole cast is very excited. Amidst rivalry, hopes, disappointments and disasters, will there be more drama on or off the stage"--Page 4 of cover.

The revised second edition of this practical manual is filled with easy-to-follow exercises and activities designed to facilitate creative drama sessions for people with learning difficulties. The activities in this book bring together music, theatre, movement and storytelling to not only develop fun and engaging group sessions, but to build confidence, increase self-esteem, and develop social and emotional awareness in group members. Highly sensitive to the range of learning needs and physical abilities of group members, the activities have been created to be engaging for a broad range of individuals regardless of age and ability, and can be adapted for use in a multitude of sectors such as education, psychology and speech and language therapy. Key features of this edition include: • New chapters exploring mindfulness, and the importance of reflection • Fully photocopiable resources including a session notes template to evaluate the impact of the creative drama group and collect useful data for the writing of reports • Activities organised around key elements of creative drama, such as sensory work, life skills role-play, improvisation and de-roling With its wealth of guidance, practical and adaptable activities and easy-to- follow structure, this is an invaluable resource for anybody leading or supporting children, young people and adults in creative drama.

'...bubbles over with imaginative ideas... for primary, secondary and other drama teachers.' - Teaching Drama Magazine, Spring 2013. '..this book cheered me up. Buy it and smile. There will be a lot of laughter in your classroom.' - Drama Magazine, Spring 2013. This sequel to the best-selling 101 Drama Games and Activities contains all-new inspirational and engaging games and exercises suitable for children, young people and adults. The activities can be used in teaching drama lessons and workshops as well as during rehearsal and devising periods. The book includes lively and fun warm-up games, as well as activities to develop concentration, focus and team building. The drama strategies can be used as creative tools to explore themes and characters. There are dozens of ideas for developing improvisation (which can be extended over several sessions). There are many new activities for exploring storytelling skills as well as mime and movement.

When the Drama Club Is Not Enough presents the work of two young activists who have been at the forefront of the successful Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Students in Massachusetts, a model for states and school districts nationwide. They give concrete, hard-won, and often inspiring lessons on integrating gay and lesbian issues to create powerful change for school communities. The book discusses the previously undiscussable--gay and lesbian identity and self-esteem at the middle and elementary school level, and gay and lesbian issues in school sports. It tells the story of a high school junior who, at the end of one of Jeff Perrotti's workshops on school sports, raised his hand and said he was a football captain and wanted to come out and needed help, and uses this dramatic narrative of personal courage to show step-by-step how gay and lesbian issues can be a catalyst for transformation of schools. The authors speak directly to those who want to change school climate--parents, teachers, administrators, and students concerned about harassment and safety. They offer seasoned and often humorous advice on dealing with controversy--even if it occurs in the context of a school presentation on sexual orientation attended by angry and disruptive parents. When the Drama Club Is Not Enough includes chapters on 'Getting Started' and 'Race and Gender' and sections on school policies and students' legal rights in order to ensure safe schools.

As the spring musical approaches, Brianna, the drama club copresident, starts feeling that she cannot handle the pressure and turns to desperate measures.