Editor Claudine Nightingale introduces the Summer Term 1 issue of D&T.
It's with great pleasure that I'm writing this as the new Editor of Drama & Theatre. The experience is not a novel one, however! For those of you who have been loyal readers of the magazine for a long while, you may be feeling a strange sense of déjà vu as you read. However, fear not, you are not imagining things – I have been here before!
It's been around 12 years since I was last at the helm of this wonderful publication, and it's been such a treat to have the opportunity to return and once again become part of the very special community that has formed around it. It's been great discovering that so many of the inspirational figures who were linked to D&T back in the early 2010s are still very much involved in the magazine, and the wider drama education scene.
In returning to the field of drama education in schools, it has been interesting to observe what has changed in that time. Obviously, the challenge to fight for the position of drama within the curriculum continues. If anything, the situation seems be slightly worse than a decade ago, but what I've also noticed is that the performing arts education community have become increasingly vocal about this issue. Indeed, the wider community of arts supporters also seem to be joining the cause, including figures such as the Earl of Clancarty recently speaking up in the House of Lords in support of funding for drama education. With an ever-widening pool of voices speaking up, change must surely follow.
With the recent change in government, a glimmer of hope – or perhaps fresh opportunity – seems to have shown its face, and those invested in drama education are grabbing hold of it with two hands. The movement to address oracy skills in the curriculum also presents a rare opportunity for key figures and organisations to impress upon those who will determine the next curriculum how integral drama should be in the teaching of oracy in schools.
The Music and Drama Education Expo, which took place at the end of January, was also perfectly timed for the start of my editorship. Attending this event gave me a snapshot of the state of drama education in the UK. The levels of enthusiasm and serious commitment shown by educators and practitioners was so inspiring to see – whether it be those who were running workshops or attendees taking part. To find out more about my experience there, take a look at this article.
I hope you find inspiration in this issue in the run-up to the last term of the year. I'm looking forward to connecting with more teachers, practitioners and theatre professionals as I continue to settle into my role. I'm always keen to hear from you, whether it be with feedback on what we currently cover, or new ideas for content that you'd like to see in the magazine, so please do get in touch emailing us at drama.theatre@markallengroup.com. In the meantime, I hope you have a well-deserved break over Easter, and a great start to the summer term.