I simply came ultimately back from an end-of-semester drama presentation at an area elementary school. If you run an episode program, you're familiar with this specific opportunity for parents ahead and see what their kids have 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 sure things run smoothly and everyone walks away happy and appreciative.imlie Today Episode
Having led hundreds of those myself, I started thinking about what I'm are some helpful tips which will make your drama presentation as successful as you possibly can:
1. Be Organized
This could seem like common sense, but it's so important so it needs mentioning. Parents don't want to visit a fumbling teacher, and kids are certain to get antsy if they don't have specific direction. Ensure you have thought through and written out the exact order of events, and simply how much time you anticipate each event to take. Within each event make certain you've written who is going to be participating, the order of participation, etc. If you're playing drama games, plan in advance 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 hat, and show the audience you will be choosing students' at random from the hat for different games until all 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 planning to see, and a quick personal tidbit about 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 if you have older kids ask them to introduce each game (let them know in advance for them to practice).
3. Keep it positive.
Don't ever apologize for things not being as polished as they are often as a result of not enough time or resources. Instead mention how impressed you are with what the kids accomplished such little time. Once you learn a certain activity or scene will probably be considered a little rough, introduce it really as you would any other. Then jump in and give the kids support as they require it.
4. Make certain the kids know what things to expect.
I recommend having a complete dry run-through of the "sharing day" just one session in advance, or prior to the parents arrive. The children should 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 however the audience can't.
5. Have clean transitions.
The moments after having a high-energy activity are the absolute most crucial moments to steadfastly keep up control of the environment. Simply telling your children as their laughing and talking "please return to your seats" does NOT cut it. Instantly regain their focus, then provide them with specific timed instructions. "Everyone have a breathe in, breathe out, silently head back again to your seats in 3 counts. 3... 2... 1. I'd now want to introduce... "
6. Harness the silly/Harness the talking
Along the same lines, make certain the kids know it is not OK to talk during a game title or activity unless specifically instructed to do so. When parents have been in the audience it is natural for children to want to be little hams, cracking jokes with friends, going for easy laughs. It's the biggest challenge of the drama teacher to concentrate this energy into creative character/acting choices. There's more leniency with this when the kids 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 show 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 first thing a parent is going to do after hearing several kids speak is anxiously wait for his/her kid to speak. It's completely acceptable to offer the older, heightened kids bigger roles in the presentation, but make certain every child has one or more moment to stay the spotlight.
8. Finish with a bang.
End the presentation with a game title, activity or song that you understand can have everyone leaving with a huge smile on the face. Although you may well be in an informal environment, choreograph a clear simple bow by the ensemble at the end.
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