How taking part in theatre workshops help benefit pupils and why they add value to learning, and the workshops and shows available to schools.
Trips to the theatre are a staple for schools, inspiring and entertaining pupils of all ages. Productions and theatres offer some fantastic extra resources and curriculum-linked workshops for teachers to consider. These can engage pupils with performances and stories and help them to develop skills including teamwork, confidence and communication.
Here are a few ideas to inspire future school trips…
Wicked
The West End production, Wicked has themed workshops for groups of up to 30 participants. Sessions are delivered onsite in schools, or in central London venues, and incorporate exercises related to the award-winning production. Available topics include wellbeing for KS1-3, anti-bullying for KS1-2 and musical theatre for KS3-5.
Anna Shields and Emily Garsin of Starling Arts produce and deliver workshops for Wicked Active Learning. They said: “Official Wicked Workshops are built to be fun, inclusive, and inspiring. Since 2023, the Wicked Active Learning team has helped thousands of students to build confidence, develop new skills and learn to express themselves, the benefits of which are felt far beyond the joy everyone feels in the room!”
Shakespeare’s Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe in London offers workshops for primary and secondary schools which bring Shakespeare and his stories to life through interactive activities.
Lively Action Workshops can be tailored for Key Stages 1-5 and include a guided tour of the theatre to immerse students in the context of performances during Shakespearean England, and practical activities and games exploring the characters and themes of different plays.
The theatre also hosts Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank. These 90-minute Shakespeare productions are created with pupils from KS3 upwards in mind as they build towards their GCSEs.
The Lion King & Hercules
Disney Tickets runs workshops for both of its productions: The Lion King and Hercules the Musical, led by specifically trained Disney teaching artists, giving pupils the opportunity to perform scenes, songs and dance routines from the production, whilst developing skills including communication and team building.
Groups can choose from a choice of four different The Lion King workshops: The Rhythm of the Pridelands Movement and Music Workshop; Spotlight on Acting; Spotlight on Singing Intermediate to Advanced Singing Workshop; and Spotlight on Dancing.
Hercules offers both acting, and movement & music workshops, using scenes from the West End production. Acting workshops explore characterisation techniques and investigate how actors use voice and movement to tell a story, whilst movement and music workshops explore the choreography and music used within the show.
Les Misérables & The Phantom of the Opera
Key Stage 3 and 4 school groups can take part in drama and musical theatre workshops for Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera run by the education department at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and theatre professionals.
Drama workshops for Les Misérables explore the themes of the production, including poverty in 1830s France and challenges pupils to create a series of dramatic tableaus.
The Phantom of the Opera drama workshops explore key aspects of performance such as creating soundscapes and building tension within scenes. Both musical theatre sessions explore vocal techniques and developing character and scenes and give pupils the opportunity to learn songs from the iconic productions.
Royal Shakespeare Company
Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the RSC offers workshops for Key Stage 2 and above. All workshops are interactive and offer a range of experiences, including meeting actors and exploring plays. Bespoke workshops challenge pupils to work as actors and directors to explore characters, themes and scenes.
Jacqui O’Hanlon, deputy executive director and director of creative learning and engagement at the RSC said: “The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical education workshops provide a unique and inspiring introduction to theatre for young people.
“By exploring Matilda’s story, characters and the creative process behind staging a theatre production, these dynamic 90-minute sessions spark curiosity and creativity and prove that even if you’re little you can do a lot.”
Mid-week matinee workshops are available to book in London, designed for primary and secondary school pupils. Led by RSC practitioners, they introduce students as young as six to the characters, themes and processes that bring Matilda The Musical to life on stage.
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