Taking part in the Festival helped Kabeera's cast to address issues of gang violence.
Looking for new ways to bring Shakespeare's plays to life in the classroom or rehearsal room? Want a fun and accessible way to introduce Shakespeare's works to your students or drama club? Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s first ever book, Drama Games for Exploring Shakespeare, is the essential arts education resource you need.
Published by Nick Hern Books, as part of the bestselling Drama Games series, this dip-in, flickthrough, quick-fire resource book offers dozens of games to help make Shakespeare's plays fun and engaging for actors, students, directors and teachers alike. Whether you're teaching a set text or directing a production, this book is an essential resource for demystifying Shakespeare's language and finding a connection to his words that resonates in our own time.
The book is based on our work and drama games, developed across our 22-year history, and offers a wide range of activities to tackle every aspect of Shakespeare’s plays. The book is divided into several sections, including:
- Warm-ups and General Games to establish an atmosphere of focus, connection, support and fun;
- Story and World-building to explore the events, environments and societies of Shakespeare's plays;
- Introducing Shakespeare's Language to help break down the text and allow participants to uncover the meaning through play and creative discovery
Other sections of the book include Activating Shakespeare's Language, Character and Staging.
Author, Alanna Beeken, said "I am thrilled to share the joy of Shakespeare with young people through this collection of accessible and impactful drama games. They aim to make learning about Shakespeare's plays active and engaging, bringing them to life and unlocking their potential for learning."
Alanna Beeken is an English and Drama graduate, charity director and prolific reader. She was born in Kenya and has lived in five countries and counting. Alanna spent eight years working at Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation. She continues to work in arts education and is passionate about creativity and the power of play in learning.
Across 224 pages of thrilling drama games – and with a foreword from actor and Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation patron Paterson Joseph – this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore Shakespeare's works. It’s available to buy now from shop.shakespeareschools.org. With Drama Games for Exploring Shakespeare, you'll have all the tools you need to bring the Bard's plays to life and inspire a love of theatre in your students or drama club.