A choice selection

National Drama

National Drama (ND) is 30 years old and is probably the biggest professional subject association with members from schools, universities, theatres, arts organisations and more. Their work is centred around ensuring all children and young people have the opportunity to experience Drama, including supporting Drama in primary schools, and they ‘lobby tirelessly for this to be a statutory requirement’. There is an open letter on their website which explains that aim.

ND organises regular events through the year – some of which are free for members – an annual conference, and publishes a research e-journal and a magazine of professional practice. Upcoming online CPD features playwriting workshops, an NQT event ‘Thriving and surviving’, and Verbatim Theatre Bootcamp with LUNG Theatre Company.

ND has just launched a new website which is buzzing with videos, downloadable teaching resources, articles, links, and an archive of CPD materials.

Zeena Rasheed, a Drama teacher in Barnsley and ND Vice Chair/Reviews Editor said:

‘I'm really keen that school leaders realise the benefits of Drama teaching through the essential social learning structures, pedagogic dialogue and process on well-being and confidence as part of the lesson – Drama has real value in terms of personal development and empathic understanding.’

Membership: £50 Individual/£75 School/£90 Theatre organisation
What do you get? Twice yearly copy of Drama magazine, free access to e-journal, regular e-newsletter, selection of free CPD, discounted conference and events.
Contact: membership@nationaldrama.org.uk www.ndresources.co.uk Twitter: @national_drama

Open Drama UK

Open Drama UK is a national networking platform for teachers, theatre practitioners, and industry experts that was launched in May 2019. The website hosts a number of resources to download and blog posts to read. They are prolific on social media and in particular on their Twitter account. They have Soundcloud, Eventbrite and YouTube channels which have hosted online CPD via webinars and podcasts during lockdown and will continue to do so. Recent CPD has included, ‘The socially distanced production’ and there is an upcoming ‘A-Level writing’ workshop – both pay as you feel. They produce regular newsletters which are sent out to nearly 3,000 subscribers to their free mailing list.

Open Drama was co-founded by working Drama teachers and theatre practitioners from across the UK and their mission is to ‘advance, improve and benefit the lives of young people through Drama’. They do this through knowledge sharing and national, regional and county level communication. Their unique feature is a network of regional and/or county ‘champions’ who support with local relevant information.

To access their network, resources and online CPD you just need to sign up to their free mailing list: www.opendramauk.org/join

Membership: Free although they have a Patreon scheme for those who wish to support: https://www.patreon.com/opendramauk
What do you get? Networking and direct support via a regional contact, access to downloadable resources, Early Career Drama teaching resource bank via YouTube, online CPD and monthly events.
Contact: opendramauk@gmail.com www.opendramauk.org
Facebook: Open Drama UK
Twitter: @open_drama_uk
Instagram: @open_drama_uk
LinkedIn: Open Drama UK

NATD – National Association for the Teaching of Drama

After a hiatus, the association is becoming more active again, including recent online events this summer: ‘Drama in the New Normal’. This association talks of ‘humanising curriculum and assessment’ and its work is largely centred around Theatre in Education and the Mantle of the Expert technique pioneered by Dorothy Heathcote. If you are interested in process drama and imaginative, enquiry-based learning rooted in Drama, then this association might be the network you need to thrive.

NATD offers online events, a research journal, access to resources, and plans to revive an annual conference are in the making. New online Drama department meetings promise to provide a regular meet up for members to share ideas.

Liam Harris, Head of Drama, and Chair of The National Association for the Teaching of Drama said: ‘The NATD provides a socio-political grounding that is unique and rooted in the human. We provide pedagogical support for drama teachers who are not just looking for lesson ideas, but for something deeper and more meaningful. We place the child at the heart of what we do, rather than the latest exam specification or the market forces at play in education.’

Membership: £40 Individual (£5 students)/£60 School or Organisation
What do you get? Twice yearly research journal, access to online resources, discounted NATD events/conference, and access to new online NATD Drama Department Meetings.
Contact: Liam.Harris@natd.eu https://www.natd.eu
Twitter: @nateachingdrama

STSD – Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama

The STSD aims to ‘protect the professional interests…and to promote the highest standards of teachers of Speech and Drama’. The association seems to have a focus on theatre education departments and/or private tuition, so if you work for a theatre, in a private theatre school or as a private tutor, it may be of particular interest. The STSD website seems out of date, but there are lots of current blog entries. They run an annual conference and other professional development days including workshops from The Globe and Shakespeare in Schools.

Membership: £46
What do you get? Twice yearly publication, newsletter, discounted events, annual conference, teacher insurance scheme, professional business advice, and discounts at various booksellers.
Contact: info@stsd.org.uk www.stsd.org.uk
Facebook: societyofteachersofspeechanddrama

NIS’DA – National Independent Schools’ Drama Association

NIS’DA does what it says on the tin and provides a support network and CPD opportunities for teachers in the independent sector. It is also open to theatre managers and technicians working in the same settings.

Focus is on an annual three-day residential conference during the summer hosted by a different school each year, providing practical workshops and networking opportunities.

Membership: £5
What do you get? Discounted annual conference
Contact: via online form www.nisda.co.uk
Facebook: nisda

NAYT – National Association of Youth Theatres

NAYT is a specialised association for Youth Theatre practitioners who ‘represent and promote the sector while also offering support, training and networking, and providing platforms to showcase best practice’, and they look like they're doing an amazing job. The website is alive with news and opportunities, links and resources. They have a comprehensive FAQ section which details all kinds of legal and professional requirements for youth theatres, along with suggestions for potential funding routes and more. Their recent training weekend, ‘Raising the Game’, included workshops on using digital resources, interactive theatre and performance poetry, among other things, and throughout Autumn they will be running a monthly Zoom discussion: NAY-Tea.

Membership: £40 a year for individuals or youth theatres with under 50 participants, and £80 for youth theatres with 50 or more participants
What do you get? Access to online resources, including sample policy frameworks and templates, scripts and suggested texts, ‘In-conversation with…’ videos and webinar recordings, discount on all NAYT events, and 30% off at Nick Hern Books
Contact: info@nayt.org.uk www.nayt.org.uk
Twitter: @nayttweets
YouTube:/user/naytvideos