1. Not establishing strong classroom management.
Whether in a classroom, rehearsal, or the audience, traditions and rules make theatre experiences more enjoyable for all. Begin the year by introducing theatre etiquette and establishing classroom agreements. It’s important to introduce students to appropriate behaviors for performing in theatre, being a good audience member, and even how to work creatively in groups. Another important element is modeling how to give positive and simple feedback to your classmates. Theatre has its own set of social rules that make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
2. Not spending enough time building ensemble.
In theatre, building ensemble means creating trust within the group. Unlike many other subjects, drama is interactive and performative. If students are self-conscious, they will be less likely to participate enthusiastically or take creative risks. Engaging students in trust-building activities at the beginning of the term will help ensure that they feel safe enough with each other to let their creative personalities shine.
3. Overpromising
Do you ever find yourself overpromising and then feeling bad when you can’t deliver? For example: “I’ll have those scripts tomorrow.” Or “Your costumes will be done on Tuesday.” Or “I will build the set this weekend.” We promise something, and then life happens. Consider being more realistic about what you can accomplish. For example: “I will do my best to have that script ready soon.” Or “It will be fun when the costumes are here.” Or “I can assure you the set will be done before we open.” Organization and timelines are essential but being realistic and flexible will set you up for success. Having boundaries around your creative time and energy is okay.
4. Thinking you can’t repeat activities.
Do you ever find yourself thinking you shouldn’t repeat the same activities week to week or year to year? Maybe you worry that you are not offering enough variety. Of course, we want to provide rich and novel experiences for our students, but here’s another way of looking at it. Repetition provides comfort and helps build confidence. Each time students play a game they are becoming more familiar and confident with it. If students repeat a lesson year after year, they are bringing new life experiences and maturity. Also, remember that as a teacher you might be playing the same game or teaching the same lesson five times a day, but the students are only experiencing it once.
5. Overstuffing class sessions.
(Less is more.) To inspire our students and help them build skills, we sometimes “overstuff” our classes, scheduling too many activities in one session. As you plan, think about your theme or goal for that one session. Choose simple warmups and activities with that in mind. Allow time for the whole group to explore together and also for small groups to work. Include time for reflection. This allows students to absorb what they’ve learned.
6. Not going beyond acting.
Theatre is a collaborative art form. It takes many people with a variety of skills to put on a production. We see the actors onstage, but a show also requires designers, technicians, stagehands, office staff, and more. Adopt this mindset for the drama classroom. How can you provide opportunities for students in your class to share their strengths and gifts aside from acting?
7. Choosing shows that are too long or too big.
If you are putting on a performance, choose plays that are realistic given your resources and time frame. Give yourself plenty of time to plan your production before you even start rehearsing.
Take time to educate your administration and parents about what it really takes to run a drama program and put on a show. (The rule of thumb for a performance is one hour of rehearsal time for one minute of stage time. That means that realistically, you will need sixty hours of rehearsal time for a one-hour show.) That doesn’t include all your planning before and during the process. Set yourself up for success and start planning early!
8. Holding complicated and stressful auditions.
Holding a playful group audition is a relatively stress-free way to cast a show. Rather than monologues and cold readings, students experiment with all the characters.
• Begin by reading the play round-robin style, where everyone sits in a circle and reads the next consecutive line. You’ll get to hear what each actor brings to different characters.
• Once everyone knows the story, invite everyone to move about the space with different motivations, physicality, and characters in mind. This is an opportunity for you to observe their ability to embody different characters physically.
• Next, provide the opportunity to read a very short scene or deliver a few lines.
• Finally, ask each student to write down three roles they are interested in.
This method is almost foolproof. Typically, every student gets to play one of the roles on their list.
9. Not being organized.
Whether you are teaching a drama class or directing a play, organization is key. Consider building your own “Drama Notebook.” Keep lists for warm-ups, improv games, scene starters, songs, stories, lessons, etc. Take it with you to every class and add to it when you discover something new. When you are directing a play, it is essential to have a production notebook with everything in one place.
10. Taking on too much and doing it alone.
Sometimes, drama teachers are so thankful to land the job that they try to be everything for everyone, do ALL the things, don't ask for help, and often neglect themselves. Remember that collaboration actually builds bridges and that programs are built through relationships. Being a "one-man-band" will give an unrealistic picture of what a healthy program can be.
Don’t hesitate to recruit volunteers. Ask parents for anything and everything! You never know who has (or has access to) what, and they are usually happy to help with whatever you need. Also, ask neighboring schools and other theater groups for resources, set pieces, and costumes! The worst they can tell you is no.
Bonus Mistakes!
Not considering the WHY behind the games.
Kids love drama games and sometimes it’s fun to have a designated game day or use games as a reward. But drama games also have purpose. Drama games are playful activities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication. They can also focus on skill-building as well. As games become more challenging, they help students build confidence as they move into other areas of theatre exploration. Games can be divided into many categories and used to introduce new concepts and skills.
Some teachers ask, “My students love drama games, but are they learning anything?”
The Five C’s of drama games
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Community Building
Plus: Listening, Quick Thinking, Positivity (“Yes, and”), Problem-Solving, Tenacity, etc.
Letting kids choose their own groups.
In drama class and life we must learn to work and play with different people. Sometimes we can self-select, but sometimes other grouping methods are necessary. Try things like numbering off, using partner cards, or other random means of creating groups for drama explorations.
We hope that you enjoyed this fun list of what-not-to-do as a drama teacher! If you are new to teaching drama, we can help you feel grounded and supported. If you are a seasoned drama teacher, we can help you feel inspired again. Drama Notebook is here to support anyone teaching drama to young people. You are doing incredibly meaningful work in the world, and you have our deepest gratitude.
