Digital at-home learning resources and teacher conference announced by National Theatre
Harriet Clifford
Thursday, January 14, 2021
The theatre has launched a collection of at-home learning resources for students and teachers, including full length productions, a playwriting course, online activities, and its annual drama teacher conference, now online.
As part of its educational offering, the National Theatre (NT) is providing state schools and FE colleges with free access to a digital library of 30 NT productions, the National Theatre Collection.
Alongside adaptations of Small Island, Jane Eyre, Othello, A Streetcar Named Desire and others, productions especially adapted for primary children are also available.
The National Theatre Collection can be accessed by UK state schools and FE colleges free of charge through Bloomsbury Publishing’s Drama Online platform. Teachers can share log-in details with students so that they can watch productions from home.
New cross-curricular learning resources are also available, including introductory packs for KS3, 4 and 5, learning guides exploring design and production, lesson plans and workshop ideas, and behind-the-scenes insights including interviews and rehearsal diaries.
During February half-term (15-20 February), the NT will be hosting its annual Drama Teacher Conference, this year in digital format. Open to drama teachers across the UK, the conference includes webinars, panel discussions and live interactive sessions with leading creatives.
Topics covered in the conference include staging performances online and devising at home, anti-racism in the drama curriculum and using small budgets effectively. Each session is £5, with bursaries available for state schools.
Alice King-Farlow, director of learning at the National Theatre, said, ‘The National Theatre is determined to continue supporting teachers and students with resources and opportunities to learn about theatre-making, particularly while the majority of young people are learning from home.
‘We are inspired by the way drama teachers have adapted to deliver the subject in new ways and hope the National Theatre Collection will give young people a chance to explore landmark productions while theatres remain closed.
‘We look forward to connecting with drama teachers across the UK through our virtual Drama Teacher Conference to explore new approaches to drama with some of the most exciting practitioners across the industry and continue growing a community of remarkable teachers to share skills and learnings together.’
Further resources and more information are available at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning/at-home