National Theatre, thank you so much!

“Thanks to the National Theatre, today has been a delightful day of new, inspiring information, connecting with Drama teachers all over the country and finding my creative practitioner self that I’d worried I’d lost! National Theatre, a massive thank you to you!”

Today’s blog comes after my inspiring day at the National Theatre. It has been a day full of delight, learning about how they operate as a company, delving into the depths of their costume and set design departments, and meeting Drama teachers from all over the country. It was fascinating to be surrounded by hundreds of people who are all teaching for the same reason as me. To see us all talking about the wonder that is Drama, to share our miraculous and difficult stories, and to learn lots of new things together is just brilliant!

My sessions...

When I chose the sessions for the two-day conference, I knew I had to strike a balance between the subjects I know I will enjoy and be inspired by, but also hit my weaker areas to ensure my subject knowledge and confidence to teach varying topics improves. Today, my first day of the conference (I can’t wait for day two!), included the 5 Principles of Theatre Design, Building an ensemble and a Costume Exhibition Tour.

All three sessions were overwhelming, with boundless creativity in each room. For our Set Design session we had a specialist teaching us about the five main principles of design including colour theory, scales and the tricks and tips of reposition and repetition. We created our own black box design to apply these theories, making us all much more comfortable in supporting our design students through their GCSE.

The ensemble workshop was incredible. It was lead by Kane Husbands, the artistic director of The Pappy Show. It was incredible to collaborate with so many other creatives, resulting in simple yet effective choreography. We worked our way through simple exercises that we could easily implement in class, highlighting key aspects of what it is to be a successful and narrative-driven ensemble. To conclude the session, we were all asked to share a word to describe how we feel. Words amongst these were “blessed”, “inspired” and “nourished”. The atmosphere was incredible!

Lastly, I found myself in a fascinating tour of the National Theatre’s costume exhibition. The costumes ranged through many time periods, with each having a meticulous attention to detail to tell the story they had been specifically designed to tell. I was amazed by the information of how material is dyed, how bodices are made, and very importantly the tips for how we can sustain our costume departments in our own schools on a small budget.

Different schools, different kids, different budgets...

One of the most interesting things about this conference was talking to Drama teachers from all over the country. I learnt about how budgeting differs in schools, how the arts are viewed and impacted in different demographics, and why each teacher I came to speak to loved our subject so much. We shared best practice, including exercises, schemes of work and behavioural management to support each other. And we also shared the low points, the challenges and the constant need for more sleep and stronger coffees!

It was striking, but also not surprising, the need for us all to know sustainable and effective ways to put on fantastic school shows with small budgets. In each session, be that set design, costume, classroom resources, the same questions were asked - how do we perform highly on a narrow budget? It is sad that despite all the enthusiasm, creativity and powerful minds in the room, that the topic fell down to money.

However, we all came to the same, certain conclusion. And that is that we love our job - the rollercoaster that is teaching - and we all do it to make a difference to the young people in front of us.

Finding my inner creative, my inner practitioner...

When you teach day in day out, sometimes the same KS3 lesson that you taught period two that day, or the lesson you have taught four times this week and are slowly perfecting, you forget that initially you were a practitioner. Before we became educators, we were creators. We were creating innovative and imaginative drama in our degrees and colleges.

Exploring working as an ensemble today took me straight back to my Physical Theatre university module, where we would choreograph and create until 11pm, endlessly exploring improved movement. It took me back to not needing an answer, exploring for the sake of creating and having fun. I felt what it was like to be a practitioner again. When I reflect, I often wonder if I still have my creative abilities, that felt so ignited at and when I left uni. As I teach the devising unit at GCSE, I always want to get involved with the students work, getting involved in creating again but I always question whether I’d be able to jump back into that mode. Today proved I, and the wonderful people around me, absolutely could.

What will I take back to my classroom to make it even better?

What makes today even better, is what I will take away to enhance my own classroom and teaching. I already have so many display and resources ideas that will really help both myself, colleagues and the pupils. Also we have learnt so much today we do not feel bombarded. We feel re-energised and ready to do it all again tomorrow.

My subject knowledge has of course increased which I cannot wait to share back at my school, but I have also met and networked with so many new people!

Today has been incredible, and I feel privileged to have attended! Have you had any outstanding CPD opportunities? What do you do to keep your knowledge and practice ‘fresh’? Get yourself to the National Theatre to experience their informative, educational and very enjoyable Drama Teacher Conference.