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The Theatre Toolbox

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Engaging, ready-to-use Drama and English lesson plans and presentations, designed for both specialists and non-specialists. These expertly crafted resources require minimal preparation, guiding students step by step through revision and practical lessons for maximum impact.

Engaging, ready-to-use Drama and English lesson plans and presentations, designed for both specialists and non-specialists. These expertly crafted resources require minimal preparation, guiding students step by step through revision and practical lessons for maximum impact.
Physical Theatre - CHAIR DUETS
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Physical Theatre - CHAIR DUETS

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This simple to follow lesson introduces Frantic Assembly’s ‘Chair Duets’ through easy and clear instructions. The lesson is designed to be delivered by experienced professionals and non-specialists alike. Safe and clear introduction to the use of physical theatre to convey relationships. Develop control and understanding of how movement can communicate subtext to an audience. In particular this lesson will focus upon the creation of movement pieces that communicate relationships, exploring simple ways that young people can craft their own work using simple building blocks. Suggestions of music are included in the downloadable content.
Eduqas Drama A Level Component Three Revision - Curious Incident
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Eduqas Drama A Level Component Three Revision - Curious Incident

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Revision Guide for Component Three Eduqas Question on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time This comprehensive revision guide is designed to help students excel in their Component Three Eduqas examination. This resource includes: Vocabulary Banks: Essential terms and phrases to enhance students’ responses. Systematic Approach: Step-by-step methods for organising ideas and structuring answers. Comprehensive PowerPoint: An interactive presentation that students can use independently or with teacher guidance. Detailed Planners: Tools to help students plan for costume, proxemics, lighting, and other key aspects of the examination. Exam Answer Guidance: Tips and strategies for writing high-quality exam answers, including how to incorporate live theatre references. A podcast bringing the key information to life - easy to listen to and to support students in beginning to understand what they need to do for their examination. Teachers will find this guide invaluable for leading students through specific extracts and ensuring they are well-prepared for every aspect of the exam
Eduqas Drama GCSE Live Theatre Generic Lesson - Step by Step Revision Notes for Live Theatre
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Eduqas Drama GCSE Live Theatre Generic Lesson - Step by Step Revision Notes for Live Theatre

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GCSE Drama Live Theatre Resource Pack Empower your students to tackle live theatre questions in their GCSE Drama written exam with confidence! This comprehensive resource pack includes a carefully crafted lesson PowerPoint designed for both independent student work and teacher-led instruction. Featuring clear, step-by-step guidance, it demystifies the live theatre section of the course, offering adaptable strategies and practical exercises that help students develop strong analytical and evaluative skills. Whether working in the classroom or independently, your students will benefit from focused instruction tailored to support their success. **This lesson can be used each time pupils visit the theatre or watch streamed performances, as the instructions are designed to be generic and will suit all styles and genres of performance. The structure used in the pack is clear and enables all pupils to achieve high marks in the examination. The most able can use it to structure effective, interesting responses. Those needing more support can use it to allow them to access more of the marking criteria than they would otherwise have been able to do. The pack includes: An overview of the live theatre question for Component Three (Eduqas) Example questions A clear step by step structure for writing up notes after watching live theatre Clear outline of how to answer the question Modelled responses Revision note planner The lesson can be taught by specialists and non-specialists. If time is short then the clear instructions allow this to be set as homework for pupils to do independently.
Introduction to Physical Theatre SOL
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Introduction to Physical Theatre SOL

5 Resources
Unlock Creative Potential with Physical Theatre: A Dynamic Lesson Bundle for Teachers Ignite your students’ imagination and collaboration with this engaging bundle of physical theatre lessons, designed for 11-14 year-olds. Whether you’re an experienced drama teacher or a non-specialist, these clear, step-by-step lessons are easy to deliver, making them perfect for any classroom setting. Each lesson promotes teamwork, creativity, and physical control, using innovative approaches to theatre that will captivate students and make learning enjoyable. Trust: Build the foundations of teamwork, physical control, and communication. A perfect starting point for students new to drama or physical theatre. Body Props: Foster creativity and collaboration as students use their bodies to create inanimate objects, solving challenges that develop trust and confidence. Slow Motion: A fun, unique challenge that encourages students to explore slow-motion movement, characterisation, and exaggerated expression through the “Slow Motion Samurai” class battle. Includes music tracks for added drama. Working in Partnership: Introduce Frantic Assembly’s ‘Chair Duets’ and explore how movement communicates relationships and subtext. This lesson is safe, simple, and includes music suggestions. Working as an Ensemble: Inspired by “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” students will explore collaborative movement and ensemble work to creatively represent journeys and stories using Frantic Assembly techniques. Assessment and Evaluation: A culminating lesson where students apply everything they’ve learned to create original physical theatre performances. Includes assessment criteria, a lesson plan, and music to support the performance process. This bundle offers everything you need to deliver engaging and dynamic physical theatre lessons, providing students with hands-on, collaborative experiences. Empower your students to develop key drama skills while having fun in the process!
RADIO PLAYS Sound Effects and Sound Design
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RADIO PLAYS Sound Effects and Sound Design

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In this engaging lesson, students will dive into the world of Foley sound effects, discovering how everyday objects can create the rich audio landscape of radio plays. With a focus on creativity and resourcefulness, this lesson provides teachers with comprehensive ideas and instructional videos that demonstrate how to produce various sound effects using items readily available in their classroom or school. Students will learn the art of sound design by experimenting with techniques to mimic sounds such as footsteps, doors creaking, and even rain falling, bringing their scripts to life through their own unique soundscapes. Whether using their original scripts or one provided, they’ll gain practical experience in how sound enhances storytelling and engages listeners. The lesson includes clear instructions and visuals, making it easy for both specialists and non-specialists to guide students through the process. By the end of the session, students will have created a dynamic audio experience that showcases their newfound skills, fostering collaboration and imagination in a fun and educational environment. Perfect for teachers looking to inspire creativity and sound literacy in their classrooms!
Physical Theatre - ENSEMBLE
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Physical Theatre - ENSEMBLE

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In this lesson, pupils explore the techniques used to physicalise Christopher’s journey in ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’. They explore Frantic Assembly’s methods of exploring the narration and movement, and begin thinking creatively about how they may represent a deceptively simple journey through imaginative means. They will work collaboratively, exploring control and experimenting with fluid, connected movement. This lesson can support the teaching of experienced professionals and non-specialists - it has clear, defined language and instructions to enable the teacher to act as facilitator. The lesson focuses upon working as an ensemble, exploring how this can be used to tell a story.
THEATRE ROLES: The Stage Manager
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THEATRE ROLES: The Stage Manager

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Stage Manager Lesson Plan: Introduction to Backstage Roles Description: This comprehensive and engaging lesson plan introduces students to the vital role of the Stage Manager in theatre, suitable for a range of spaces, including classrooms. Designed for both specialists and non-specialists, the lesson includes fun and interactive activities to explore the responsibilities, skills, and commands of a Stage Manager. Through quizzes, games, and improvisation-based scenarios, students will gain practical insights into what it takes to run a production smoothly from behind the scenes. What’s Included: Interactive Quizzes to introduce students to the key responsibilities and terminology of a Stage Manager. A Stage Manager Command Game, where students practice and engage with the different types of commands a Stage Manager would use during a performance. Improvisation Scenario Game, where students will take turns as the Stage Manager, and the class will judge who demonstrates the best Stage Manager qualities. Students will identify the key traits a Stage Manager needs, such as organization, leadership, and quick decision-making. Detailed Glossary of stage management terms to support student understanding of technical language. Extension Opportunities for more advanced students, encouraging deeper exploration into the complexities of stage management. Key Features: Designed for flexibility, this lesson can be delivered in a variety of spaces, including classrooms, with no special equipment needed. Perfect for both drama specialists and non-specialists, making it easy to introduce theatre roles and responsibilities to all students. A variety of engaging activities that allow students to actively participate and learn through hands-on experience. Pairs well with other lessons in the ‘Theatre Roles and Responsibilities’ series, creating a cohesive learning experience for students. Ideal for: KS3/KS4 Drama students who are beginning to explore backstage roles in theatre. Teachers looking for an interactive, engaging introduction to Stage Management. Great for use as part of a broader unit on theatre production or an introduction to theatre roles. This lesson is designed to make the backstage role of the Stage Manager come alive for students, blending fun, practical activities with in-depth learning, ensuring that students walk away with a solid understanding of this essential theatre role.
RADIO PLAYS Writing a Script
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RADIO PLAYS Writing a Script

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is versatile lesson empowers students to write their own scripts based on a chosen theme, incorporating sound effects and their own voice recordings to create immersive audio experiences. It’s designed to be conducted in any space—even when the usual drama classroom isn’t available—making it perfect for adaptable learning environments. All necessary resources are provided, including clear instructional materials, engaging examples, and script templates that guide students in developing their ideas. As they craft their scripts, students will explore how to enhance their narratives with thoughtfully selected sound effects, using everyday objects and technology to record their own voices, adding a personal touch to their projects. The structured yet flexible format allows both specialists and non-specialists to confidently lead the lesson, ensuring that any teacher can facilitate creativity and exploration. Students will engage in independent activities, utilizing their surroundings to collect sounds and record their voices, seamlessly integrating these elements into their scripts. This emphasis on working independently means they can adapt their creative processes to various environments, whether it’s a hallway, library, or outdoor area. With a focus on fun and creativity, this lesson fosters collaboration and imagination while being accessible to all teachers. Perfect for any educator looking to inspire students in crafting dynamic and evocative audio experiences through scriptwriting, sound design, and voice recording, regardless of their experience with drama or sound production!
Physical Theatre - BODY PROPS
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Physical Theatre - BODY PROPS

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In this exciting and active lesson, pupils will be introduced to using their bodies to create props. This involves working collaboratively, promoting trust and confidence in the group. The challenges are highly physical, designed to promote problem solving, i.e. how will a group represent an inanimate object? What works better, adding sound or levels?
THEATRE ROLES:  Introduction to Theatre Roles and Responsibilities
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THEATRE ROLES: Introduction to Theatre Roles and Responsibilities

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**This lesson is perfect for Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four students and can be used in both GCSE Drama courses and general performing arts lessons. Designed to be easy to deliver, this resource provides structured activities, a team quiz, and a creative practical task. ** Fully structured lesson plan – Includes learning objectives, timings, and assessment opportunities. Theatre Roles Handout – A clear, printable guide outlining key theatre roles and responsibilities. Team Quiz Activity – A fun, competitive way for students to consolidate their knowledge. Practical Bonus Task – Students are challenged to showcase a production team in action. What Will Students Learn? Identify key theatre roles and their responsibilities. Use knowledge to match theatre roles to descriptions in a team quiz. Create a practical still image showcasing a theatre production team, assigning roles and justifying their choices. Engaging & Interactive – Keeps students actively learning through discussion, competition, and creativity. No Specialist Knowledge Required – Perfect for both drama specialists and non-specialist teachers. Flexible Use – Ideal for one-off lessons, cover work, or as part of a drama scheme of work. Supports GCSE Drama Criteria – Covers knowledge required for theatre production questions in written exams. Format: Printable PDF & Editable Word Document Ideal for: KS3/KS4 Drama, Performing Arts, GCSE Drama Preparation Duration: One or two Drama lessons
Drama Vocabulary Revision
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Drama Vocabulary Revision

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This comprehensive resource aimed at Drama GCSE pupils covers a wide range of terminology required to support written examination answers. The useful table includes and overview of terms for acting movement, voice and interaction. Additionally, there are comprehensive lists for costume, hair and makeup, set and props design, lighting and sound design. The pack offers examples of how these terms might convey meaning on stage, providing suggestions that will help pupils understand how to incorporate these terms into their own written work. The pack is offered as a pdf enabling teachers to incorporate this into their own revision resources or send it home for revision.
THEATRE ROLES: Costume Design
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THEATRE ROLES: Costume Design

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This engaging and practical drama resource brings costume design to life in the classroom. Designed for KS3 and GCSE Drama, it helps students explore how costume choices shape character, status, and storytelling on stage. This resource includes a costume matching quiz to develop analytical thinking, a creative costume sketching task , and group challenges to experiment with real materials, and a presentation and feedback framework to refine designs. The lesson package is designed for easy classroom use and is ideal for both specialist and non-specialist teachers looking to bring creativity and practical learning into drama lessons. Whether used as a standalone workshop or as part of a GCSE theatre design module, this resource will engage and inspire students of all abilities. This is a perfect way to make costume design an exciting and hands-on experience in the drama classroom.
Drama GCSE Live Theatre Revision Pack
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Drama GCSE Live Theatre Revision Pack

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To complement the live theatre revision and resource pack, the drama vocabulary revision resource contains outlines of words that students will use to be able to boost their subject specific terminology when writing exam responses.
RADIO PLAYS - how to record and edit sound and SFX (Sound Effects)
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RADIO PLAYS - how to record and edit sound and SFX (Sound Effects)

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In this engaging lesson, students will learn how to mix MP3s and sound effects to produce polished voice recordings, equipping them with essential skills for sound design, podcasting, and a pathway to professional sound editing in film and media. This lesson is designed to be conducted in any space, making it ideal even when the usual drama classroom isn’t available. Included is a bespoke resources ‘walkthrough’ introducing pupils to the basic functions of Audacity and how to import and edit their own sound files. This is a particularly valuable for any pupils interested in sound design for GCSE or A Level Drama, introducing them to the basics of creating their own soundtracks that can be assessed for their performances as designers. All necessary resources are provided, including clear instructional materials and engaging examples that guide students through the mixing process. They will discover how to layer their own voice recordings with carefully chosen sound effects, enhancing their audio projects and storytelling abilities. The structured yet flexible format allows both specialists and non-specialists to confidently lead the lesson, ensuring that any teacher can facilitate this creative exploration. Students will engage in hands-on activities, using accessible software and tools to mix their recordings independently. This emphasis on working independently means they can adapt their creative processes to various environments, whether it’s a classroom, library, or home setting. By mastering these skills, students will not only create high-quality audio recordings but also gain a valuable foundation for future pursuits in sound design, podcasting, and media production. With a focus on fun and creativity, this lesson fosters collaboration and imagination while being accessible to all teachers. Perfect for any educator looking to inspire students in the world of audio creation and storytelling!
Radio Plays, Sound Design and Scriptwriting Resource Pack
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Radio Plays, Sound Design and Scriptwriting Resource Pack

6 Resources
This versatile bundle of resources is designed to equip both specialists and non-specialists with everything they need to teach a comprehensive audio production curriculum. Perfect for any classroom environment—whether it’s a dedicated drama room, library, or even a home setting—this collection provides the flexibility needed to inspire creativity in students. The bundle includes detailed lesson plans that cover a range of engaging topics, including an introduction to radio plays, scriptwriting, voice utilization, and the process of writing and recording original scripts. Students will learn how to create and incorporate sound effects, enhancing their storytelling skills while discovering the fundamentals of sound design. In addition to the core lessons, this resource pack offers guidance on editing voice recordings for soundtracks, ensuring students can produce polished audio projects. Assessment tools are also included to help educators evaluate student progress and learning outcomes effectively. To enhance the learning experience, the bundle features bespoke videos that introduce the concept of sound design skills and provide step-by-step instructions on how to edit audio effectively. These online resources ensure that all teachers, regardless of their experience with audio production, can facilitate engaging and informative lessons. With all resources thoughtfully curated and easily accessible, this bundle is perfect for any educator looking to inspire students in the exciting world of audio creation and storytelling!
STAGE COMBAT
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STAGE COMBAT

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In this dynamic and hands-on lesson, students will delve into the world of stage combat, beginning with a look at the historical context of fighting in Shakespearean plays. They’ll discover how duels, brawls, and physical confrontations were essential parts of storytelling in the Elizabethan theatre, and how actors of the time created these thrilling moments. The lesson is designed with both specialists and non-specialists in mind, providing clear, step-by-step instructions and visual aids that break down each stage combat technique. These instructions are accompanied by images and links to demonstration videos, offering accessible support for all teachers, regardless of their experience with stage combat. The guidance helps ensure that both specialists can enhance the precision of their teaching and non-specialists can confidently guide students through the lesson. Students will learn to safely perform key stage combat techniques such as slaps, punches, hair pulls, and ear pulls, with health and safety emphasised at every step. Interactive games and exercises are designed to improve physical expression and coordination, while also reinforcing the importance of control. To further support the learning process, students will create a “combat map,” visually planning out their choreography to ensure both storytelling and safety. This structured approach allows any teacher to focus on guiding students to execute safe and believable stage fights. With a combination of fun, clear guidance, and safety at the core, this lesson equips all teachers with the tools to lead exciting, controlled, and educational stage combat exercises.
Physical  Theatre - SLOW MOTION
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Physical Theatre - SLOW MOTION

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This entertaining and unique lesson is designed to challenge pupils to work collaboratively, creatively and imaginatively. The clear instructions are designed for experienced teachers and non-specialists, explicitly outlining the instructions for the original ‘Slow Motion Samurai’ class battle. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop their physical control, adding characterisation through facial and body expression. As their skills develop, they are invited to do the most eccentric battles possible, adding in silly choreography and comedic touches whilst exploring the potential of slow motion. Included in the lesson are some music tracks to use for the epic class battle.
Mastering Vocal Acting: Engaging Students with Radio Plays
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Mastering Vocal Acting: Engaging Students with Radio Plays

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Unlock your students’ full vocal potential with this comprehensive lesson plan designed to make vocal acting accessible and fun for both specialists and non-specialists. Through the timeless format of radio plays, students will develop their use of voice, accents, and intonation, discovering how vocal techniques can create distinct characters and atmospheres without the need for visuals. This lesson plan offers: Engaging Activities: Fun and structured exercises that guide students through the art of vocal performance. Script-Based Learning: Students will work with scripts, exploring how vocal variety shapes storytelling. Creative Expression: Pupils experiment with accents, tone, and pitch, building skills to transform their voices for different roles. Flexible Teaching: The clear step-by-step design means it’s easy for both drama specialists and teachers new to the subject to confidently deliver. Perfect for building vocal confidence, character creation, and enhancing dramatic skills in a dynamic classroom environment.
BUILDING SUSPENSE and TENSION in Drama
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BUILDING SUSPENSE and TENSION in Drama

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In this lesson, students will explore the techniques Shakespeare uses to build tension in Romeo and Juliet. Through focused exercises on staring matches, sharp dialogue, and dynamic physical expression, they will discover how small actions and words can escalate conflict and create suspense. By analysing key scenes and experimenting with performance, students will gain a deeper understanding of how tension is crafted in drama and how to apply these skills to their own acting. A modern setting helps students build tension by making the conflicts and emotions more relatable. Familiar scenarios—like rivalries in school or social media—allow them to connect personally with the stakes. Using modern dialogue and body language, they can explore how small actions like eye contact or pauses create tension naturally. This contemporary context brings Shakespeare’s techniques to life, showing how subtle dynamics can escalate conflict both on stage and in real life. Lesson Delivery for Specialists and Non-Specialists: This lesson is designed for easy delivery by both drama specialists and non-specialists, with all resources provided, including scene scripts, instructions for activities, and music to set the mood. Specialists can deepen the experience by guiding students through advanced techniques in dialogue delivery and physical expression, while non-specialists can follow the clear, step-by-step plan to facilitate engaging activities like staring matches and tension-building exercises. Music is integrated to set the tone, helping all students immerse themselves in key scenes. Both specialists and non-specialists can effectively teach the core skills of creating dramatic tension through these accessible, pre-prepared materials.
Drama Reward and Praise Postcards
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Drama Reward and Praise Postcards

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**Celebrate your students’ achievements in drama with our beautifully designed Drama Praise Postcards! ** These colourful and attractive postcards are perfect for recognising the hard work and dedication of your budding actors and actresses. Each postcard features encouraging messages that highlight the importance of teamwork, creativity, and personal growth in the world of drama. Key Features: Versatile Format: Easily send these postcards home via email or print them back-to-back for a vibrant, tangible keepsake. Eye-Catching Design: Each postcard is adorned with engaging graphics and layouts that capture the essence of drama and performance. Personal Touch: With messages crafted to highlight individual strengths and contributions, you can inspire your students and show appreciation for their unique talents. Positive Reinforcement: These postcards serve as a fantastic tool for fostering a supportive classroom environment, encouraging students to strive for excellence in their performances. Ideal for teachers and drama coaches, our Drama Praise Postcards make recognition easy and meaningful. Show your students just how much their efforts matter and inspire them to continue their dramatic journey with confidence and enthusiasm!