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Day Workshops

Polka’s experienced team of actors, directors, storytellers and puppeteers are on hand to deliver a range of workshops in your school or at Polka Theatre.

Whether it’s a puppet-making session exploring your favourite pets, a sensory story bringing to life your class book, a drama workshop on managing emotions or the chance for your pupils to create their very own play, we have a workshop to suit every learning goal.

Take a look below to see the range of workshops on offer, or get in touch to discuss an original idea. When you’re ready, simply fill in our booking form, and we’ll be in touch!

“The children had the best time and we were so impressed by what they achieved under your team’s guidance in the puppet making class and how this cleverly intertwined with the drama and music workshop. WOW!”

Teacher from Wimbledon Park Primary, July 2025

Show-related Workshops

A Show-Related Workshop is the perfect way to complement a trip to Polka. In these workshops, pupils will work with a Polka Practitioner to explore the key themes of the Polka production they have seen, as well as exploring characters, setting and key performance techniques. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to share their own creative responses. 

Performance Elements Explored: 

  • Character 
  • Setting 
  • Key Themes 
  • Performance/Production Techniques 

Workshop Outcomes: 

EYFS: Children will develop their understanding and recognition of the plot, characters and settings featured in the performance. They will engage in sensory play themed to the production to immerse them into the world of the story. 

KS1: Children will develop their understanding and recognition of the plot, characters and settings featured in the performance. They will use movement, role play or tableau to retell a key section of the story. 

KS2: Children will consolidate their comprehension of the plot and key themes. They will devise a short creative response to the production using at least one performance or production technique featured onstage – for example a soundscape or movement piece. 

KS3: Students will consolidate their comprehension of the plot and key themes. They will work in groups to devise a short dramatic response to the production using at least one performance or production technique featured onstage – for example a short sequel, or a section of the plot told from an alternate point of view. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class 

Show-related workshops come at a 15% discount when booked alongside show tickets. Speak to our Box Office team to discuss your booking.

📞 020 8543 4888 | 📧 boxoffice@polkatheatre.com

Sensory Stories

In a Sensory Story session, one of Polka’s expert storytellers will invite your students to travel with them through the world of a story, using a range of dramatic and sensory techniques to bring a book or classic tale of your choosing to life. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection. 

Techniques Used: 

  • Sensory Play 
  • Puppetry
  • Movement 
  • Roleplay 
  • Group/Pair Games 
  • Call & Response
  • Songs 
  • Music 

Workshop Outcomes: 

EYFS: Children will be immersed in the world of the story, developing their comprehension through imaginative play. They will practice using both gross and fine motor skills through sensory play and drama games, and will develop communication, language and reasoning skills through roleplay and group work. 

KS1: Children will be immersed in the world of the story, developing their comprehension through imaginative play. They will grow their understanding of the characters and settings of the story, and consolidate their understanding of the plot, including the sequence of events. They will reflect upon the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters, and consider the role of cause and effect within the plot. They will work alongside their peers and a Polka Practitioner, using roleplay and props to bring the story to life. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 30 minutes to 1 hour per class

Puppetry Workshops

In a Puppetry Workshop, your pupils will learn about a range of different types of puppets and how they are operated. One of Polka’s experienced puppeteers will then guide each child through the process of designing and building their very own puppet. Workshops can be themed to a book or topic of your choosing. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for pupils to practice operating their puppets. 

Types of Puppets: 

  • Paper Bag Puppets 
  • Stick and Rod Puppets 
  • Moving Mouth Puppets 
  • Shadow Puppets 

Workshop Outcome: 

Every child will design, build and decorate their own puppet. They will learn how to manipulate their puppet and practice moving and talking with it. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 hour to 90 minutes per class 

Puppetry workshops incur an additional fee of £1 per child to cover materials. 

Page to Stage Workshops

In a Page to Stage workshop, pupils will work with a Polka practitioner to bring a book or story of your choosing to life.  

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to perform. 

Techniques Explored: 

  • Using stimuli to inspire drama 
  • Creating a setting onstage 
  • Bringing a character to life using movement and voice 
  • Telling a story 

Workshop Outcomes: 

KS1: Children will devise a dialogue or movement piece representing a section of their story. 

KS2: Children will either bring to life a section of their story or create an original retelling from the point of view of another character. 

KS3: Students will use performance techniques to dramatise a key section of their story, or create an original performance piece told from an alternate point of view. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 90 minutes to 1 day per class 

Play in a Day Workshops

In a Play in a Day workshop, a Polka Practitioner will guide your students through the process of devising and staging their own piece of theatre. 

Play in a Day workshops can be themed to one of your curriculum areas, or you can give your pupils complete creative freedom. Past workshops have included everything from a Theatre for Change piece on the environment, to a play about a magical pineapple. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a chance for groups to perform. 

Techniques Explored: 

  • Generating ideas 
  • Using stimuli to inspire drama 
  • Devising and improvisation 
  • Structuring a story 
  • Developing characters 
  • Building a setting 
  • Performance techniques 

Workshop Outcomes: 

KS1: Children will devise a short drama using movement, sound and/or dialogue showcasing clear characters and settings. 

KS2: Children will use at least one stimulus to inspire them as they devise their own story featuring original characters, exciting settings and a clear story. 

KS3: Students will use at least one stimulus to prompt a devising process, culminating in a short piece of theatre utilising a range of dramatic and performance techniques. 

Recommended Workshop Length:  2.5 hours to 1 day per class 

PSHE Workshops: Coping with Change

In our Coping with Change Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to explore the concept of change, looking at excitement versus anxiety, and how to manage their emotions during difficult periods of change. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection. 

Techniques Used: 

  • Process Drama 
  • Storytelling 
  • Still Image 
  • Roleplay 
  • Breathwork 

Workshop Outcomes: 

KS1: Children will engage with a story centred around a daunting change. They will work together to explore and recognise the different emotions the characters may be experiencing, and problem solve ways to manage those feelings. 

KS2: Children will explore the differences between the types of change they may experience in life before taking part in a short process drama involving a difficult change. They will work together to explore and recognise the different emotions the characters may be experiencing. They will problem solve ways to manage those feelings, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas. 

KS3: Students will explore a range of different scenarios involving change, from small, happy changes to big, complicated ones. They will work in groups to devise their own performances examining change and the effect it can have upon one’s wellbeing. They will use roleplay to explore a range of different techniques that can help someone to manage a difficult period of change. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class 

PSHE Workshops: Developing Empathy

In our Empathy Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to develop empathy, exploring how to recognise emotions in others, and the impact of their actions upon their peers. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection. 

Techniques Used: 

  • Process Drama 
  • Storytelling 
  • Still Image 
  • Roleplay 
  • Devising 

Workshop Outcomes: 

KS1: Children will engage with a story centred around a misunderstanding between friends. They will work together to recognise emotions and the causes and effects of different actions. They will work together to explore different solutions and outcomes. 

KS2: Children will take part in a short process drama on a disagreement between friends. They will work together to recognise emotions and the causes and effects of different actions. They will work together to explore different solutions and outcomes, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas. 

KS3: Students will explore a range of different scenarios that demonstrate empathy or lack thereof. They will devise their own short performances to examine the root causes of misunderstandings and disagreements, and explore how empathy can be utilised in a range of situations. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class 

PSHE Workshops: Growing Confidence

In our Confidence Workshop, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to identify and celebrate their own strengths and those of their peers, as well as exploring moments in their lives where they may need to set boundaries or ask for help. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection. 

Techniques Used: 

  • Process Drama 
  • Storytelling 
  • Still Image 
  • Roleplay 
  • Devising 

Workshop Outcomes: 

EYFS: Children will engage in a story in which a character requires help, and will work together to explore and discover ways that help can be attained. They will be immersed in the action using puppetry and sensory play. 

KS1: Children will play games designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths. They will engage in a story in which a character requires help, and will work together to explore and discover ways that help can be attained. 

KS2: Children will take part in roleplay games and activities designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths. They will engage in a short process drama in which a character requires help, and will work together to explore and discover ways that help can be attained, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas. 

KS3: Students will take part in roleplay games and activities designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths. They will devise short performances centred around setting boundaries and asking for help, exploring a range of situations and their potential outcomes. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class 

PSHE Workshops: Managing Emotions

In our Emotions Workshops, children will use roleplay and other dramatic techniques to grow their emotional regulation skills, exploring how to recognise and manage strong feelings. Workshops can be themed to a specific emotion, such as anxiety, anger or sadness. 

Every workshop will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down and reflection. 

Techniques Used: 

  • Process Drama 
  • Storytelling 
  • Still Image 
  • Roleplay 
  • Breathwork 

Workshop Outcomes: 

EYFS: Children will engage with sensory a story centred around managing emotions. They will be guided by the practioner to recognise different emotions and learn ways to manage them. 

KS1: Children will engage with a story centred around managing emotions. They will work together to recognise different emotions and problem solve ways to manage them. 

KS2: Children will take part in a short process drama on managing difficult emotions. They will identify different feelings and work together to problem solve ways to manage them, using roleplay to rehearse and test their ideas. 

KS3: Students will explore complex and difficult to manage emotions, devising their own short performances to examine the root causes of these feelings and potential solutions to manage them. 

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class 

Bespoke Workshops

Polka also provides workshops bespoke designed for your school. 

A bespoke workshop may combine two or more different types of workshop, run over multiple days, or use drama and theatre to explore something completely original. 

Examples of Past Bespoke Workshops: 

  • Combined Puppetry and Play in a Day/Page to Stage workshops 
  • Shakespeare workshops 
  • Poetry or Creative Writing workshops 
  • History through Drama workshops 
  • Mask-making workshops 
  • Playmaking and Devising workshops run over multiple days 

Please note that bespoke workshops incur a small additional fee, which will be discussed when booking. To book a bespoke workshop, simply fill in the Schools Workshop Booking Form and our Schools Manager, Lizzie, will get in touch to discuss your ideas. 

School workshops can take place at Polka or at your school!

For any enquiries please use the link to our booking form or get in touch with our Schools Team.

Booking Form Get in Touch

Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB

Box office 020 8543 4888

boxoffice@polkatheatre.com

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