AI for drama educators: Exploring new ground

The topic of AI remains a contentious issue for many drama teachers. At the recent Music and Drama Expo in February, when I handed teachers the flyer for our new Facebook group ‘AI for Drama & Theatre Educators’, reactions were clearly divided, ranging from enthusiasm to polite refusal.

It was during a Zoom meeting last year with drama educator Bindya Chauhan that I realised how many teachers, particularly those outside of the UK, are already using generative AI daily. Chauhan is an international drama practitioner, who has achieved the ‘best grade in the world’ for Edexcel Pearson GCSE and A Level Drama over several years and has been using AI tools within her teaching practice during the last eighteen months. She outlined to me the possibilities and potential for using AI within drama teaching, describing Chat GTP as a ‘virtual assistant’ which she turns to when she needs a ‘sounding board’ for ideas. My interest was immediately piqued and the idea for the Facebook group was borne.