Choose a theme. Your workshop should last at least a marking period, perhaps even a semester. Look over the studies students will be covering in English and Social Studies. The curriculum in these classes can provide you with a topic to explore, such as ancient Egypt, the short stories of John Steinbeck or the founding of the United States. Any of these topics can develop into a theme like “freedom,” “rebellion” or “courage.”
Survey student knowledge. If students are just starting a unit in Social Studies, they may not have extensive knowledge of a historical period. The same goes for studies in English — they may be just starting a book or short story. Don’t let this discourage you. Ask them to make educated guesses about what they are getting ready to learn. This atmosphere of exploration can become the foundation for your theater workshop.
Build improvisation skills. Some simple techniques and exercises will get students started. Play “Yes, and...” This technique asks one actor to make a statement, and the second one says “Yes, and” then adds a fact or observation. Have students mime objects. Part of improvisation is pretending to hold an object that is part of the skit. Have one student call out objects and the other students can pretend to hold or touch them. Ask students to deliver a line with different emotions. You might choose something like, “I can’t believe that just happened,” and see how many ways students can say it. Another fun technique is giving two students an identity, such as sailor and cowboy, and have them work out who has the highest status, while remaining in character.
Put on a one-act play. Move from improvisational lines to memorized lines by choosing a short play that relates to your theme. Students will have to memorize, look up unfamiliar words and make choices about how to deliver lines based on character traits.
Mount a full-length production. Choose a play that can involve all of your students. You should make arrangements to present this play at the end of the workshop in a full-school assembly. Don’t get too wrapped up in set design. Choose a play that has a simple environment to re-create. Help the students focus on getting character, plot and tone right.
Ask for student self-assessment. At the end of your workshop, ask students to describe in writing the kinds of academic skills they needed for the workshop. This can range from knowledge gained in English and Social Studies classes to research and memorization skills. Ask them how these skills helped them explore the theme.