I simply returned from an end-of-semester drama presentation at a nearby elementary school. In the event that you run a dilemma program, you're familiar with this opportunity for folks in the future and see what their kids have been working on.
Parents are excited to see their kids, kids are excited to possess 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 these myself, I began considering what I'm are some helpful tips that'll make your drama presentation as successful as possible:
1. Be Organized
This could sound like common sense, but it's so important so it needs mentioning. Parents don't wish to see a fumbling teacher, and kids will 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 make sure you've written who is likely to be participating, the order of participation, etc. If you're playing drama games, plan in advance who you will call up for every one, and let them know in advance. If you're feeling more adventurous, put every student's name in a cap, and explain to the audience you will be choosing students' at random from the hat for the various games until all 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 fairly share what you've been taking care of, the target that the class has been working toward, what they're going to see, and a short personal tidbit in regards to the program. Let the activities, games and scenes speak for themselves around possible. Keep the game descriptions to a phrase or two, or even better when you have older kids question them to introduce each game (let them know in advance to allow them to practice).
3. Keep it positive.
Don't ever apologize for things not being as polished as they could be because of lack of time or resources. Instead mention how impressed you are in what the children accomplished such little time. If you know a particular activity or scene will probably be a little rough, introduce it just as you would any other. Then jump in and give the children support as they require it.
4. Make certain the children know what things to expect.
I highly recommend having a full dry run-through of the "sharing day" just one session beforehand, or before the parents arrive. The kids ought to know the order of events and when it's their turn to participate. Consider printing a few copies of the "itinerary" and posting them stage right and left where the actors can 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 up control of the environment. Simply telling your children as their laughing and talking "please get 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 prefer to introduce... "
6. Harness the silly/Harness the talking
Along exactly the same lines, make sure the children know it's not OK to talk during a casino game or activity unless specifically instructed to accomplish so. When parents are in the audience it's natural for children to wish to be little hams, cracking jokes with friends, going for quick laughs. It's the largest challenge of the drama teacher to concentrate this energy into creative character/acting choices. There's more leniency for this when the children are very young (K-2nd grade). However as students grow throughout your program their acting should noticeably mature. These sharing presentation are a good way to demonstrate that to the parents.
7. Make certain every kid has something special to do.
If you're doing scenes, and kids have individual lines, the very first thing a parent can do after hearing a few kids speak is anxiously await his/her kid to speak. It's completely acceptable to offer the older, heightened kids bigger roles in the presentation, but make sure every child has one or more moment to stay the spotlight.
8. Finish with a bang.
End the presentation with a casino game, activity or song that you know may have everyone leaving with a huge smile on the face. Even though you might be within an informal environment, choreograph a clear simple bow by the ensemble at the end.
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