A drama teacher surrounded by students.
Thespian Lifestyle

Resources for Drama Teachers – Our Top Picks

Looking for some inspiration for your drama or musical theatre classes? We have some ideas! Just read through this list of our absolute favorite resources for drama teachers. And of course, make sure to have fun with your planning!

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1. Drama Menu at a Distance

I love this book idea for any drama teachers who may be teaching remotely at the moment. It’s filled with “appetizers” “starters” “main courses” and “desserts” (80 games and exercises) to add some flavor to your online lessons. And if you’re back in the classroom, there’s a Drama Menu➝ book for that too!

Drama Menu at a Distance.

 

2. Drama Teacher’s Survival Guide #2

This is a really great handbook to keep on hand for go-to activities, exercises, and techniques for the drama classroom. The original Drama Teacher’s Survival Guide➝ is a good choice too if you’re planning on putting on plays with your classes!

Drama Teacher's Survival Guide #2.

 

3. Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE, and Other Special Areas

If you are a drama teacher for a large or younger group, this book will help you get your class under control. It’s also so helpful that the book is intended for use with specialty areas like art, which should be perfect for the large and unruly drama classroom!

Responsive Classroom.

 

4. Theatre Games for the Classroom

This is a solid book if you’re just in need of some go-to theatre games for your classroom. Inside are 130 amazing theatre games, along with exercises and instructional strategies.

Theatre Games for the Classroom.

 

5. Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games

Let’s be honest, everyone should have to take a theatre course at some point in their life. Drama provides people with unbelievably valuable skills, and these skills are equally helpful for those with anxiety, ADHD, and ASD. This book covers lots of great exercises for the further development of social skills in children and teens.

Teaching Social Skills Through Improv.

 

6. National Theatre Teaching Resources

National Theatre➝ is so amazing for sharing all of their teaching resource packs from previous productions. There are lessons, activities, and deep thinking questions for both plays and musicals all available for free on their website!

7. Facebook Groups

There are tons of helpful Facebook groups for musical theatre and drama teachers. A couple that come to mind are Drama Teacher Hub➝, and Drama Teachers Sharing Group➝. But you can also just search Facebook for “Drama Teachers” for a full list.

8. Theatrefolk

For a super in depth resource for drama teachers, I would suggest checking out Theatrefolk➝. There you can find lesson plans, distance learning ideas, plays for high school/middle school classrom study, and even a full drama teaching academy. If you want to dig deep into lesson planning, this is a great place to start!

9. Official West End Education Packs

If you’re specializing in musical theatre, these official West End Education Packs➝ can be a HUGE help for your lesson plans. In each one, you’ll find classroom activities, lessons, and writing prompts relevant to each musical production.

Which of these resources for drama teachers is your favorite?

Or do you know of any other theatre education resources that have personally helped you out? Feel free to share in the comments below!

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Stacy Karyn, Author of Resources for Drama Teachers.
Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

 

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