Drama Notebook Reviews

Drama Notebook gave me everything I needed for my first foray into leading an after school drama enrichment program to 3rd-5th grade students at my children's elementary school. The EXTENSIVE list of drama games was fantastic! I pared down the Beginning Acting 9 Week Lesson Plan to 5 weeks and selected poems from the provided Shel Silverstein collection to end our run with a performance piece that parents attended! I never would have been able to do it without Drama Notebook! I was especially inspired by a personal phone call with Janea when I joined - she gave me great tips and tricks and it was wonderful to have the pep talk before I got going! The kids loved the games and were so confident at their final performance. Even though it was a lot of work, Drama Notebook made it a breeze! It was a successful outing that I hope to do again some year! Thank you!

I subscribed to Drama Notebook because I was to teach an adaptive drama class for the first time. What I found was a plethora of information, activities, and scripts for all ages. Even my advanced students have entered works in the monologue contest. Even though my funding for Drama Notebook doesn't come in until February this year, I will subscribe again! I can't imagine a year without new scripts and lessons from dramanotebook.com!

Drama Notebook has been totally awesome for me as a first-time theatre teacher. I have enjoyed the resources for ease of application, and my students have enjoyed them just for the sheer fun. I have discontinued my subscription only because the class was a single trimester elective, and it is now over.

Last year was my first year as a drama teacher at the elementary school where I have worked as a classroom teacher for almost 20 years. I needed ideas for my drama classes and found this website. I was floored by the magnitude of resources available on Drama Notebook and found what I needed for my classes. My students enjoyed the drama games, skill building activities and performance activities very much. I like how many of the drama activities gave my students creative license and really enjoyed watching the students who started out shy and apprehensive transform into confident children. They become eager to take risks in class. There is still so much to discover. I just renewed membership to give me more time to explore and gather ideas... Thanks for this awesome website!

Last year, I was teaching theatre for the first time and this website saved my life. The selection of activities is extensive and I love all the scenarios that are all ready for you. Each of my students received a different scenario for all the different activities we did. I highly recommend this site!

I've never taught a theater class of any kind. I've never taken a theater class of any kind. So when I was informed that I was teaching theater this year to both HS and MS students my blood pressure may have spiked. Drama Notebook has saved my life this semester. One of my students-- one of those teenagers who is too cool for everything-- told the counselor that Theater is his favorite class. I'd love to take credit but almost all the material I'm using comes from Drama Notebook.

Thanks, Janea and team, for creating a comprehensive resource that allows me to start and end class with engaging, fun activities. My kids are becoming comfortable expressing themselves and learning how to do that in dramatic ways. Our little school hasn't had theater classes for a number of years, but suddenly there's a tremendous amount of positive energy about theater. Go ahead and spring for the 1 year membership... there's plenty here to keep your kids busy being AWESOME for a whole year. Totally worth it.

I have referred to Drama notebook for over 7 years now and am constantly finding new and useful classroom units, scripts, and even classroom management techniques. I have referred several new and experienced teachers alike to the site and they have all had the same success. Often as theater educators, we are the only ones at our school so it is wonderful to have a community to share ideas and learn from others. Thank you for the continued wonderful content.

I came across Drama Notebook after I was FRANTICALLY looking for theater classroom material.
I have my degree in performance, worked professionally on television and stage and Drama Notebook has a library of some of the best material online. If you stop here, put it in park! You've found your destination for all things acting.

As a librarian who supports classroom teachers in their core subjects, I found Drama Notebook an invaluable resource for public speaking, literature support, and just plain fun for my middle elementary students. They loved your plays!! And I loved the range of materials. Thank you!

As a drama teacher for years, I am always looking for new material. Drama Notebook has provided some of the most fun and effective materials I have ever used. My 'Acting for Tweens' class especially loved the "20 Practice Scenes for Pairs." These pieces provided entertaining as well as a manageable training ground for characterization, humor, timing and working together. What a great resource!

Drama Notebook has been a godsend for our community theatre. The scripts are high quality, the audiences love them and to top it all off, they're reasonably priced (usually just a link and some pictures!). The site is easy to navigate and is updated often. We're a fan!

Can't describe how impressed I am with this resource. It is the difference between "Wouldn't it be great to run a drama program?" and "We can run a drama program!" Amazing.

I enjoy the materials but when I could no longer afford it I could not find a way to cancel.

Hi Jody, I'm sorry that you had trouble. We try to make it as easy as possible to cancel your subscription. I have emailed you and refunded your last payment. Please come back anytime!--Janea

Just finishing up my second year of teaching Drama (7-12th grade) and Drama Notebook is my go-to place for quick lessons, scripts, and ideas. "How to Teach Your First Drama Class" was a godsend for my first year and many of the games have become class favorites. I love that I can download a script or a lesson for immediate use. We have had fun staging "Three Ghosts and a Jock" and "Anansi the Spider." Next year I plan to use Drama Notebook resources to help with my monologue and one act unit. Keep up the good work!

Really great resource with lots of variety in the scripts and this makes putting on a production so affordable in comparison to other scripts that require expensive royalties for schools when drama teachers already have almost no budget. I was a little hesitant at first because the design/look of the website is a little old school (it feels like it was designed 15 years ago and hasn't kept up with the times) but the content of the scripts are perfect for a modern classroom. Really happy to have this as a resource.

Hi Renana, This version of Drama Notebook was done four years ago. Unfortunately, we hired children to design it. (Just kidding.) I'm glad you are enjoying the scripts. The site is constantly updated, and the entire Script Library was added in 2018.--Janea

Oh my gosh, I am just now starting to teach drama to children again after many years, and this was like a life raft! I love this service or whatever you call your endeavor. Please never stop. Your graphics are especially good.

I have a degree in theater and have been teaching theatre to middle-school students for seven years now. Many of the other resources are so expensive! I am only one teacher with no budget. I have been able to show that this resource is worth purchasing. To not have to pay hundreds of dollars to attempt to put on a production is really a blessing. I love using the short plays and divide the classes up to perform.  I have wasted plenty of money buying books for "Plays/scripts for students/teens" and they are horrible. Drama Notebook scripts are fun, inventive, and appropriate for this age group.  The one year subscription has been far and above the best value for our department! We are happy to link to Drama Notebook on our school website, and to send photos for other teachers to see, as we are saving hundreds in royalties and other ridiculous fees!

Last year was my first year as a teacher, and I taught Drama to Kinder through 8th grade. This site and all its resources absolutely saved and made my year! 3 of our school plays came from the scripts here, and I feel like I have an endless well of resources, lessons and games to always keep the kids on their toes. I was so happy when I found this site because I didn't have to keep scrounging all over the place for relevant material for all my different age groups. Thank you!

I subscribed to Drama Notebook when I was looking for some inspiration. I teach year one (age 6), and every year each class works on a play to present to family and friends. I found a couple of plays about Peter Rabbit which I am currently using for my class. They were very appropriate for the stage I teach. Excellent site that I would recommend!

An addictive resource! I started out with the monthly membership but realized within an hour that there was so much to explore and that i could use for my middle school theatre classes! I now have the yearly membership and still am finding countless items to use for my class!

Hi Candice! I'm so glad that you are inspired by what you are finding on Drama Notebook. We have refunded your first month's subscription, as you quickly upgraded to the yearly. --Janea

I teach students whose first language is not English and use drama as a way to encourage them to actually use the language to express their ideas and feelings. Last year we did the short versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and it was amazing! The students felt like they were doing doing "real" Shakespeare but weren't bogged down by memorizing so many lines. In particular the collection of scripts and monologues is a serious time saver.

I teach Theatre K-12 and am always looking for good resources that I can use for my classes. On Drama Notebook, I have found resources that I can use in each grade level that I teach. I started with the monthly subscription but quickly realized that I needed to upgrade to the yearly subscription!

Drama Notebook helped me so much this past year in the classroom! I taught drama classes for kids K-12 at a home-school co-op for the very first time and Drama Notebook was exactly what I needed. I’m a music teacher by trade and was intimidated by the thought of teaching drama at first. With all the warm ups, exercises, and intriguing activities and lesson plans, however, I was equipped to teach and personally inspired to keep going. My students had a blast and were asking to do many of the activities over again!

I direct the High School musical at our school and run summer theater camps for students in grades 2-5 and 6-12. This website is an amazing, affordable resource for educators and it is very much appreciated! My students have loved playing the skill building games and the scripts available for download are excellent. The site is organized and easy to use. It is definitely my "go-to" resource when planning drama/theater activities. Thank you for providing resources at an affordable cost for educators to help grow the minds of the young actors and actress in our community!

Drama Notebook made this year of being a freelance teaching artist a breeze! From the almost endless amount of theatre games to the simple yet engaging lesson plans. This site is an important part of any artist’s creative toolbox!

I'm on my 14th year teaching drama and theatre classes and JUST NOW JOINED "Drama Notebook". Good heavens, WHAT was I waiting for? I've created my own curriculum for years and have some dandy material, but sometimes I just sit and shake my head in fatigue and need fresh stuff. Enter ... "Drama Notebook". Whee HA! Their pieces are great and their suggestions are practical and fun. JOIN, JOIN, JOIN!!!

~ Jeanette (Johnson) Boynton, CA

Everything the folks have said about the resources is true! However, I want to talk about the customer service! I had some difficulty because of the browser I was using and even though I am subscribed, I was hitting the pay wall every time I wanted to download. The folks made sure I did not get double billed and helped me solve the browser issue.

This site is amazing and got me through my first year of teaching theater as a transfer from another discipline, and I have hardly had a chance to scratch the surface!

Drama Notebook was my GO TO as a middle school drama teacher! The monologue contest was so much fun and they have great plays and games! Thank you Drama Notebook for all of the awesome resources and ideas!

As part of a shared schooling program, I was charged with creating a semester-long 2hrs/week music and drama classes for three classes (K-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-9th) comprised of home-schooled, private schooled, and public schooled students. Drama Notebook was a lifesaver! Many of the students who started out being hesitant to try the class ended up loving it! For my two older classes, I mostly used the materials from the "Shakespeare for Kids" workshop/unit. It was a huge hit for students and parents alike. I found the unit easy to use and to adapt. Many of the other resources, such as the Beginning Acting lesson plans, were also extremely useful. I definitely recommend that all drama teachers subscribe. It is a phenomenal value. I also highly recommend the "Shakespeare for Kids" workshop.

Every drama educator should have a subscription to Drama Notebook. The materials are current, fun, thorough, and great for students of all ages. Before I joined Drama Notebook, I had a hard time finding material that didn’t make me roll my eyes. I have taught K-12 and on this site I find strong material for all ages and socio-economic backgrounds which are challenging and fun. Plus, their scripts are plentiful! Lastly, they are always adding new plays and lessons. Best drama site for teachers!

Amazing materials not available anywhere else! I am not a “drama person” but was asked to teach drama! I wanted the class to be fun and engaging and not cheesy. ALL of the activities from this site were a hit. Thank you for making teaching drama fun!

I have never offered a review on any product or service but I am making an exception for an exceptional and excellent site. The resources and personal service enhanced my own life as well as the lives of young artists in my community. I was asked to reinstate the Community Children’s Theater in a small town in the heart of Appalachia. Drama Notebook Has been a “go-to” resource with games, skits, plays and videos-all worth every penny. Highly recommended!

Enjoy!

I have been teaching drama for the last 18 years. This is the best resource I have ever come across.

Kudos to Janea & the team. It’s made my work easier and so much fun!
Look forward to learning more and more.

I downloaded the Shakespeare Lesson Ideas book. The activities were only tangentially connected to Shakespeare. I canceled my membership immediately.

Hello Alexander,
I'm sorry that you were dissatisfied with your download. I do hope that you got at least one idea you could use out of the 13 pages of Shakespeare activities. I will happily issue you a full refund!
Warmly,
Janea

Not just for kids! We have a tour team that works with K-12 youth as well as youth/young adults at risk. We conduct summer theatre camps and we also teach theatre classes for adults with disabilities. This has become our Go To website for the variety of resources offered. From classroom management to Shakespeare in many accessible forms you find what you need! When planning our very first camp, I talked one-on-one with Janea who had great advice and calmed my fears! We have been doing summer camps for 3 years now which have doubled in size every year! We will be tackling Macbeth this fall with our adults with disabilities! Thank you Drama Notebook!

My 9th-12th grade high school students performed the One-Hour version of The Tempest with great success! I would have loved to perform the play in its entirety but felt that 2-1/2 hours was just too much for a first-time Shakespearean play for our students and demographic. This was a perfect solution that kept the integrity and storyline in check. Thank you Drama Notebook!

I have purchased a few scripts from this site for in class use and they are wonderful. Their abridged Shakespeare is fantastic and definitely helps bring the Bards words to the classroom an easier task. Thanks for all you do!

I have used Drama Notebook for many years, teaching drama to 3rd-6th graders. I have found so many useful activities, lessons, and scripts here! Janea has responded personally to inquiries I have had in the past. I highly, highly recommend Drama Notebook!

I love Drama Notebook. I used my subscription to enhance every aspect of my Theatre department. I've used multiple lessons and scripts in my class.

I subscribed to Drama Notebook to support summer students working at our local theatre who were in charge of Drama Camp. They found the site very helpful, especially the ice breaker games.

Drama Notebook is such an awesome resource! Everything is in one place and I don’t have to scour the internet for drama games or appropriate monologues for kids. I wish I found this years ago!

Drama Notebook has saved me so many times!!! The site has TONS of great games, warm ups, lesson plans, plays, monologues and more. On top of that, the customer service is second to none, and the response time is fantastic. Highly recommend!!!

The Drama Notebook's easily accessible scripts are perfect for the new teacher or the teacher looking for a quick and easy script. The plays are funny and relevant to children of all ages. I use these scripts for the in between show times when we need to work and have fun with material that may not be performed on stage.

There are a TON of great resources available on Drama Notebook, and they make it way easier for me to teach middle school theater. Thank you for making the good kind of drama more accessible to kids!

Drama Notebook was a lifesaver when, as a high school drama teacher I was thrown into some elementary School classes. There are tons of fantastic resources and wonderful short plays that are perfect for classroom performances. Highly recommended for anyone who needs new ideas or is new to working with younger students!

Drama Notebook has been a god-send to my drama teaching - I am an inexperienced drama teacher in need of excellent, classroom-ready resources, and this site has provided me with fun, engaging ideas and activities to use in the classroom. Highly recommend!

A great site and resource that helped me get through some courses that I never taught before. Incredibly useful and easy to navigate. Highly recommended.

I direct a youth stage play every year for a local theatre as well as teach summer camps and seasonal classes there. Drama Notebook is a wonderful resource to have and I utilize their website all year long. Any drama teacher/instructor would find this site very beneficial!!

As a kids/teens ESL teacher I first came into contact with Drama Notebook on quest of useful supplementary resources for my general ESL lessons. Once I surfed the site though... wow! It was literally packed with loads of potentially great materials to use in the classroom. I subscribed, downloaded some, put them into play and... I cannot be happier with the outcome. Tons of thanks Drama Notebook, you guys are awesome!