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Workshops
| "I appreciate Mrs. Erickson's vists very much [...] I think that her ideas about theater, when they are applied to everyday life, are a very good base for living a healthy lifestyle." |
| - Jason, 4th grade |
  
Note: Creative Directions is also
available to conduct workshops for students (sixth grade and up) in
the methods outlined below. Longer residencies can be arranged.
All workshops are flexible outlines for programs that
are available for presentation at your school, district, or
business. They may be altered to meet your specific needs. Creative Directions is registered with the Illinois State Board
of Education to provide CPDUs.
For more information, to order a workshop, or discuss custom
tailored workshops/programs contact us.
NEW! Who's the Hero?
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Description:
Using the arts before engaging students in discussion, reflection, and reaction to bullying behaviors is a powerful addition to a character education program. This workshop provides a variety of beginning to advanced drama and other art techniques which focus attention on conflict, resolution, and bullying. Exploring the role of hero, bystander, instigator, and bully, participants learn how to engage students in experiencing each character type and about the role each plays in contributing to or resolving bullying activities. Visual image work, poetry, movement, and short improvisational scenes are included in the workshop. Participants will be encouraged to think of how they might expand or revise activities for use in their own classrooms. |
Audience: Arts
educators and teachers of grades 6-9
Length: 3, 6, 13, or 15 hours |
NEW! Who's the Bully?
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Description:
This workshop demonstrates a variety of drama techniques to use with literature and conflict resolution curricula, focusing on the theme of bullying. The students discuss the nature of a bully, and the role others play in supporting or stopping bully actions. Classroom teachers learn how to take a rich piece of literature and explore it through a variety of drama activities. Activities include partner and small group scene work, full class improvisation, using visual stimuli to enhance understanding, and building a full class drama through pantomime, improvisation, and rehearsed scenes. (The book The Daydreamer by Ian McEwan is recommended for purchase to accompany this workshop.) |
Audience: Arts
educators and teachers of grades 3-6
Length: 3, 6, 13, or 15 hours |
Introducing Theater
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Description:
Upstage, downstage, face
front. You have decided to include formal acting, blocking,
rehearsing, and stage etiquette into your work with youth –
but where to begin? This workshop shows how to introduce
movement, body positions, use of space, and rehearsal
techniques for young actors. Participants will explore how
levels, body shapes, placement of furniture and set pieces,
and use of props can reveal character relationships, mood,
and story elements. Not a director but you want to direct?
This workshop sets you off on the right foot. |
Audience: Arts
educators and teachers of all grade levels.
Length: 3
hours |
Playwrights in the Making
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Description:
Do you have
young actors ready to write their own scripts? This workshop
presents some basic script elements and a step-by-step
process for playwriting. Participants begin with a review of
dramatic elements, determine a simple idea for a script,
review the considerations for honing that idea, and
participate in an “age appropriate” activity for creating
dialogue and scene work. Participants discuss the process
and how to transfer that experience to young playwrights.
When requesting this workshop, it is best to target a
specific age range (e.g. elementary, middle school, or high
school) for maximum effectiveness. |
Audience: Arts educators and teachers of all grade levels.
Length: 3
hours |
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