Nobody understands the power of theatre & drama better than Appletree. 

It can be used in so many ways, to enable young people to explore subjects & topics in a safe & fun way.  It is also particularly powerful in bringing curriculum subjects such as history to life.

Whenever we develop one of our history shows inevitably we collate a lot of content that we cannot ultimately use in the timescale of the show. This research is not wasted, on the contrary as we are able to offer it included in our residency and project work.

For example:
 the WWII show fits very nicely into a week long, whole school, cross curricula residency, and can include:

• Lessons targeted specifically at KS 1, 2 and 3 might include a make do and mend day where we will  make rag rugs, alter clothes and begin a patchwork project.

• Dig for victory day would include planting a vegetable patch in the school grounds.

• Propaganda day might include poster design and recording a radio broadcast.

• Ration cookery could involve the schools kitchen staff preparing school lunch with the pupils and using only rationed foods.

The final day of the week is an ideal opportunity to invite in families and the local community to a tea dance, where they can celebrate the pupils achievements through the week, including dancing the jitterbug (which we will have taught the pupils) and enjoying tea and cakes prepared by the pupils.

This sort of residency is an excellent way of inspiring 'out of the classroom' teaching in both students and teachers alike and is also a wonderful way of bringing local community groups into your school engendering closer working relationships. We will tailor a residency to your exact requirements and will be happy to discuss this with you at any time. As an added bonus we are able to film the whole week and produce a DVD of the residency as a lasting legacy. For more information please contact Jules at jules@appletreetheatre.co.uk or call 07785 274879.

The Living History Shows

These KS1-3 sessions are interactive, drama-based shows, designed to bring history to life, and make it fun for pupils.  All of our Living History sessions involve professional actors, in period costume and very often utilise multi-media technology.  Our current Living History shows are:

• World War II

• Edwardian Seaside Fun!

• The Victorian Schoolroom

• The Great Fire of London

• The Romans

• Ancient Greeks

Price per session starts at £250 - please contact Appletree for more information at info@appletreetheatre.co.uk

If you don't see a session that meets your requirements, please do contact us - we are always open to suggestions to ways in which we can improve & expand our educational offerings.

Drama-based PSHE Workshops

Drama can be so powerful in explaining complex issues to young children.  By involving them, and making it fun and interactive, Appletree's series of PHSE workshops really do help children understand topics such as Bullying, Racism and Disability, in a way that means something to THEM.

By using trusted drama techniques, Appletree's practitioners work with groups of children to show how different behaviours and attitudes towards others can have a positive and negative effect.  As well as breaking down barriers using warm-up and drama games, Appletree employ mask-work and multi-media to allow children to explore and express emotions and behaviours, across a range of topics.

Drama Practitioner Workshops

Designed to suit year 11, Sixth form and college students, this workshop offers students the opportunity to put practitioner theory into practice. Using a given text, our actor/educators will help your students to explore the techniques and style of the practitioner.

Stanislavsky and Boal workshops will be available from September 09 to run as a 2 hour workshop.

We can also offer a one day workshop in which we will compare and contrast the two practitioners and explore how they would approach a given text.

These workshops are suitable for up to 30 students.