Drama Games for Exploring Shakespeare

Alanna Beeken, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation

$27.99

Paperback

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English

Nick Hern Books
27 April 2023

Theatre Studies; Acting techniques; Shakespeare studies & criticism

Series: Drama Games

This dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book, part of the bestselling Drama Games series, offers dozens of games to help bring Shakespeare's plays to life in the classroom or rehearsal room – making them fun and accessible to actors, students, directors and teachers.

Inspired by the work of leading cultural education charity Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, this book offers a wide range of activities to tackle every aspect of the plays, including:

Warm-ups and General Games to establish an atmosphere of focus, connection, support and fun – all the conditions you need for a successful session Story and World-building to explore the events, environments and societies of Shakespeare's plays Introducing Shakespeare's Language to break down the text and allow participants to uncover the meaning through play and creative discovery Activating Shakespeare's Language to liberate actors from the script through movement and voice-work Character to help develop compelling, believable performances by investigating motivations and relationships, circumstances and emotions Staging to help empower every member of the ensemble in moments that might be challenging to stage – such as big movement sequences, fights and battles and intimate love scenes

Whatever your reason for exploring Shakespeare – whether you're directing a production, teaching a set text, or introducing his work to young people for the first time – this essential resource will give you the tools you need to demystify the language, take ownership of the plays, and find a connection to the words that resonates in our own time.

'This wonderful book will be an invaluable resource for anyone approaching the teaching or directing of Shakespeare, whether novice or veteran' Paterson Joseph, from his Foreword

'A welcome tool to bring the Bard alive for students... sets things out in a logical fashion, without losing any of the creativity or impact of the activities... I can only wish my English teacher had a copy of this sparky little volume when I was first struggling with Shakespeare... many young lives will be transformed when they connect with Shakespeare's world and all it can offer'

— Broadway World

'An incredibly effective way of accessing Shakespeare... I've been a practitioner for over 10 years, and I found plenty of new material here, plus the fact that the exercises are phrased so clearly that they immediately usurped my own notes... [this book is] a useful companion to anyone working with young people and Shakespeare. Get one now and start passing it round the office'

— Drama & Theatre Magazine

'An accessible new addition to Nick Hern Books's Drama Games series... Each of the 66 games is carefully but simply explained and could be used by anyone mounting an inclusive Shakespeare production with young people'

— Ink Pellet Magazine

By: Alanna Beeken, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation
Imprint: Nick Hern Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 110mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 189g
ISBN: 9781848429420
ISBN 10: 1848429428
Series: Drama Games
Pages: 184
Publication Date: 27 April 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Alanna Beeken is a writer and consultant working in arts education. She was Creative and Festival Director of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, the flagship project of Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation.

Reviews for Drama Games for Exploring Shakespeare

'A welcome tool to bring the Bard alive for students... sets things out in a logical fashion, without losing any of the creativity or impact of the activities... I can only wish my English teacher had a copy of this sparky little volume when I was first struggling with Shakespeare... many young lives will be transformed when they connect with Shakespeare's world and all it can offer' * Broadway World * 'An incredibly effective way of accessing Shakespeare... I've been a practitioner for over 10 years, and I found plenty of new material here, plus the fact that the exercises are phrased so clearly that they immediately usurped my own notes... [this book is] a useful companion to anyone working with young people and Shakespeare. Get one now and start passing it round the office' * Drama & Theatre Magazine * 'An accessible new addition to Nick Hern Books's Drama Games series... Each of the 66 games is carefully but simply explained and could be used by anyone mounting an inclusive Shakespeare production with young people' * Ink Pellet Magazine * 'This easy-to-navigate, engaging and enjoyable read is an excellent resource... each activity builds understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's use of language and narrative building, and multidimensional characters. Beeken's approach is hands-on and experiential, emphasizing learning through doing. The book guides readers on using these drama games in educational settings, offering practical advice on facilitating sessions, creating a supportive learning environment, and adapting games to suit different age groups and abilities... delves into the relevance of Shakespeare in contemporary education. It addresses how his plays, though centuries old, still resonate today and can be used to explore modern themes and issues. The book also includes insights into how these games can enhance students' critical thinking, creativity and collaborative skills... an invaluable resource for anyone looking to introduce Shakespeare dynamically and interactively, fostering a love for Shakespeare's timeless works in a new generation of learners' * Word Matters (Journal of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama) *