Benefits of using general classrooms for drama
Benefits of using general classrooms for drama include the following:
- students can create and present drama immediately, both formally and informally
- informal sharing of work is more likely in a classroom – the act of moving a class to another space implies that presentations will be more formal
- teachers can involve students in drama every day, often integrating drama with other curriculum areas.
- using general classrooms emphasises to the school community that drama fulfils a number of functions, including 'classroom process drama', not just performance for an audience.
Tips for adapting general classrooms
The more a classroom is adapted for drama in this way, the simpler it will become to practice drama often. Tips for helping teachers to use general classrooms for drama (especially at years 1–6) include:
- supplying a 'dress-up corner' in each room with a range of costumes, cloths, and props, and maybe puppets and masks (which will require a storage cupboard/room)
- having a range of small cubes, stools, and cushions in each room
- making it possible to clear an area by pushing desks and chairs aside
- providing curtains over large windows to give the students privacy and make them less diffident about doing drama
- avoiding fixing low-hanging material to the ceiling that may get in the way of jumping students
- having places to store students' gear, like bags and shoes, so they don't get in the way during drama sessions.