I simply returned from an end-of-semester drama presentation at a nearby elementary school. If you run a dilemma program, you're familiar with this specific opportunity for parents in the future and see what their kids have already been working on.
Parents are excited to see their kids, kids are excited to own their parents see them, and the drama teacher is nervous making certain things run smoothly and everyone walks away happy and appreciative.imlie Today Episode
Having led hundreds of those myself, I began contemplating what I'm are some helpful tips that will make your drama presentation as successful that you can:
1. Be Organized
This could sound like wise practice, but it's so important that it needs mentioning. Parents don't want to see a fumbling teacher, and kids can get antsy if they don't have specific direction. Make sure you have thought through and written out the exact order of events, and how much time you anticipate each event to take. Within each event ensure you've written who will be participating, the order of participation, etc. If you're playing drama games, plan ahead of time who you'll call up for every single one, and let them know in advance. If you're feeling more adventurous, put every student's name in a cap, and show the audience that you will be choosing students' at random from the hat for different games until most of the names are called.imlie Today Episode
2. Keep it short
Keep your welcome greeting under a minute. Cover how excited you are to talk about what you've been taking care of, the target that the class has been working toward, what they're planning to see, and a quick personal tidbit in regards to the program. Allow the activities, games and scenes speak for themselves around possible. Keep the experience descriptions to a sentence or two, or better yet when you have older kids inquire further to introduce each game (let them know ahead of time for them to practice).
3. Keep it positive.
Don't ever apologize for things not being as polished as they may be because of lack of time or resources. Instead mention how impressed you are with what the children accomplished such little time. If you know a certain activity or scene is going to be considered a little rough, introduce it really as you would any other. Then jump in and give the children support as they require it.
4. Make sure the children know things to expect.
I suggest having a full dry run-through of the "sharing day" just one session in advance, or prior to the parents arrive. The youngsters ought to know the order of events and when it's their turn to participate. Consider printing several copies of the "itinerary" and posting them stage right and left where in fact the actors could see them but the audience can't.
5. Have clean transitions.
The moments following a high-energy activity are probably the most crucial moments to keep control of the environment. Simply telling the kids as their laughing and talking "please go back to your seats" does NOT cut it. Instantly regain their focus, then let them have specific timed instructions. "Everyone take a breathe in, breathe out, silently head back again to your seats in 3 counts. 3... 2... 1. I'd now like to introduce... "
6. Harness the silly/Harness the talking
Along the exact same lines, ensure the children know it is not OK to talk during a game title or activity unless specifically instructed to accomplish so. When parents come in the audience it is natural for kids to wish to be little hams, cracking jokes with friends, going for quick laughs. It's the greatest challenge of the drama teacher to target this energy into creative character/acting choices. There's more leniency for this when the children are extremely young (K-2nd grade). However as students grow during your program their acting should noticeably mature. These sharing presentation are an effective way to show that to the parents.
7. Make sure every kid has something special to do.
If you should be doing scenes, and kids have individual lines, the first thing a parent is going to do after hearing several kids speak is anxiously await his/her kid to speak. It's completely acceptable to provide the older, more complex kids bigger roles in the presentation, but ensure every child has at least one moment to be in the spotlight.
8. Finish with a bang.
End the presentation with a game title, activity or song that you know could have everyone leaving with a giant smile on the face. Although you may be in a informal environment, choreograph a clear simple bow by the ensemble at the end.
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