DRAMA WORKSHOPS
For 32 years Theatre for Young America has offered drama classes at its theatre and at schools and community centers in the metropolitan area.  While learning about the art of drama, your students also work on their personal voice, imagination, and body movement skills.  TYA Drama Workshops increase the group's ability to communicate and work together.  Teachers tell us that it's an added plus to have our drama specialists model their technique of using drama in the classroom.  TYA offers a wide variety of workshops for students of all ages. Curent workshops are listed below.

RESIDENCY FOR YOUR GROUP OR CLASS
Theatre for Young America is proud to offer an exciting four-session residency for K-12 developed by the Alliance for Drama Education in Hawaii.  The program teaches students and teachers performing skills,  drama appreciation, respect for self and others, focus, teamwork, and other theatre and life skills. GETTING DRAMATIC teaches how to audition and rehearse for the theatre of life! Current offerings are listed below.  

  TO BOOK A WORKSHOP OR RESIDENCY
FOR YOUR GROUP OR CLASS
LISTED BELOW:
Telephone: 816.460.2083
E-mail: tyatheatre@aim.com

INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA FOR 3 TO 7 YEAR OLDS:  Bring in an early childhood expert from the Theatre for Young America teaching staff to explore voice exercises, body movement warm-ups, imagination exercises, and do a short playlet with costume pieces.  "A Trip to the Circus" is the theme for preschool students.

INTRODUCTION TO ACTING FOR THE STAGE:  Students learn how actors train their voice, body, and imagination to create characters onstage.  "Open Scenes with Costumes" is the theme for 2th grade students through adults. Classes are adjusted to fit the group's age range and level of experience.  This workshop can help scouts fulfill badge requirements.

FAMILY  PRE-PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS :  geared especially for the youngest playgoer (aged 2 and a half yrs old and up ) and their families.  These workshops are provided for whole families to enjoy together as they prepare to attend live theatre presentations of age-appropriate play selections listed above,  Perfect for libraries and reading groups!

CONFLICT RESOLUTION THROUGH DRAMA: focus on conflict resolution steps for problem solving while students roleplay with the actor/teachers.  Realistic situations and age appropriate topics are used to help students grasp concepts and skills and to provide exciting drama scenes.  This workshop is suggested as a post-performance companion to viewing TYA's TOUGHEST KID IN THE WORLD although the workshop can be scheduled alone. This workshop requires two actor/teachers in each session.  Appropriate for 4th-9th grades.

ACTING WITH INSTANT COSTUMES:  The artist/teacher encourages the participants' creativity and imagination to create costume pieces from squares and rectangles of cloth.  Then students become the characters they costumed for interviews. A very active workshop. Can be adapted to be appropriate for preschoolers through 9th graders.
 
CIVIL WAR ROLEPLAYING:  Explore the local Civil War Curriculum in a new, dramatic way!  This workshop gives students acting experience as they become local historical characters in the Kansas City-Lawrence area in August of 1863.  Employs costume pieces, old photographs, short monologues, and improvisation.  Appropriate for grades 4-9.

FOR THE WORKSHOPS ABOVE:  Workshop size is limited to 25 or fewer students per workshop.  Workshop length is 45-55 minutes depending upon school schedules and the age of the group.  An adult supervisor or the teacher of the group must be present at all times. Workshops may be scheduled at anytime throughout the year.

FEES:  $85 per workshop for workshops requiring one actor/teacher  -  $150 per workshop for pre-performance workshops for families or conflict resolution workshops.    (These utilize two actor/teachers and include a teacher's packet of supporting materials and activities.) 

CONSULTANCIES and DRAMA-IN-SERVICES FOR EDUCATORS are available. A travel fee is assessed for locations more than 20 miles from the theatre. CALL: (816) 460-2083

GRADE LEVEL: GETTING DRAMATICS RESIDENCIES can be adjusted for grades K-12;

LENGTH: Four 45 minute sessions   DATES: Dates available for scheduling throughout the year;

OTHER:  Maximum participation number  is 25 per session (15 for special needs groups).  Host teacher attends the class. The emphasis and objectives of the residency are discussed and chosen by the host teacher and actor/teachers  prior to the beginning of the residency.

Chicken Little
Triple Play I
Triple Play II
Toughest Kid in the World

Amber Jenkins, Raytown Middle School teacher:  “My students really responded well to the activities.  In the end their poem presentations were great, and I was impressed at their level of work. I really enjoyed the variety of vocal and body movement...”

 Marisa Wall, Raytown South Middle School teacher:  “I have begun implementing the Voice, Body, Imagination warm-ups at the beginning of all my classes, including the speech classes.  And I'm also ending each class with an affirmation.  It has really helped us create a consistent beginning and end to each period.  The students seem to enjoy it and so do I. ..I learned so much from both of you...”

Bob Drake, Central Middle School. KCMO:  Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with our students.  You were super!  The students were engaged and they enjoyed your day with them.  They continue to talk and share about the experiences.”

Betsy Wendorff, 5th grade student from Shawnee, KS.:   “We get to play someone that we really aren't.  We play someone mean, or someone uncoordinated, or someone funny...I hope to keep doing this for the rest of my life.”

Central Middle School student, KCMO:  I really liked when the people came to Central Middle and acted out with students in the classroom ...I learned so much from your acting.  I learned that fighting can not solve everything...”

Central Middle School student, KCMO: “ I had fun playing a roll (role).  It was an honor to play out a play with a couple of actors.   Thank you for giving us kids an opportunity to be an actor.”

CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT, KCMO:  “I just want to say thank you for what you did.  What I mean buy that is that you came all the way to Kansas City into Central Middle School  When you came to Central Middle, you were ready to teach us that fighting is not always the answer.”