I simply went back from an end-of-semester drama presentation at a nearby elementary school. In the event that you run a crisis program, you're familiar with this opportunity for folks to come and see what their kids have now 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 ensuring things run smoothly and everyone walks away happy and appreciative.imlie Today Episode
Having led hundreds of the myself, I began considering what I'm are some helpful tips that may make your drama presentation as successful as possible:
1. Be Organized
This may appear to be common sense, but it's so important so it needs mentioning. Parents don't desire to view a fumbling teacher, and kids will get antsy if they don't have specific direction. Be sure you have thought through and written out the exact order of events, and simply how much time you expect each event to take. Within each event ensure you've written who is going to be participating, the order of participation, etc. If you're playing drama games, plan beforehand who you will 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 the various 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 talk about what you've been focusing on, the goal that the class has been working toward, what they're about to see, and a short personal tidbit in regards to the program. Allow activities, games and scenes speak for themselves as much as possible. Keep the activity descriptions to a word or two, or better yet when you have older kids question them to introduce each game (let them know beforehand so they can practice).
3. Keep it positive.
Don't ever apologize for things not being as polished as they are often as a result of lack of time or resources. Instead mention how impressed you are with what the kids accomplished such little time. If you know a particular activity or scene will probably be a little rough, introduce it really as you would any other. Then jump in and give the kids support as they want it.
4. Ensure the kids know what things to expect.
I highly recommend having a full dry run-through of the "sharing day" either one session beforehand, or prior to the parents arrive. The kids 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 actuality the actors could see them however the audience can't.
5. Have clean transitions.
The moments after a high-energy activity are probably the most crucial moments to maintain control of the environment. Simply telling the kids as their laughing and talking "please go 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 once 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, ensure the kids know it's not OK to talk during a game or activity unless specifically instructed to accomplish so. When parents come in the audience it's natural for children to desire to be little hams, cracking jokes with friends, going for quick laughs. It's the biggest challenge of the drama teacher to focus this energy into creative character/acting choices. There's more leniency for 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 great way to show that to the parents.
7. Ensure every kid has something special to do.
If you're doing scenes, and kids have individual lines, first thing a parent will do after hearing several kids speak is anxiously watch for his/her kid to speak. It's completely acceptable to provide the older, more complex kids bigger roles in the presentation, but ensure every child has a minumum of one moment to be in the spotlight.
8. Finish with a bang.
End the presentation with a game, activity or song that you realize could have everyone leaving with a huge smile on the face. Even though perhaps you are in an informal environment, choreograph a clear simple bow by the ensemble at the end.
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