KS3 - 5 Workshops

In this workshop, students will work with a Polka practitioner to learn some of the key skills required to make excellent theatre for children. From sensory theatre to object puppetry, we can tailor your session to complement the work you’re doing in class.

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

Techniques Explored:

• Sensory Theatre
• Puppetry
• Audience Participation
• Accessible Theatre
• Adapting Books and Stories
• Exploring Child-Friendly Themes

Students will…

• learn about Polka’s pedagogy and mission.
• explore the similarities and differences between theatre for children and adults.
• gain hands-on experience of using key performance and production skills used in children’s theatre.
• identify techniques that they can use in their own devised work.
• devise and perform a child-friendly piece and receive feedback from an industry professional.

Recommended Workshop Length: 90 minutes to 1 day per class. Onsite workshops can be combined with a 30-minute venue tour and Q&A with theatre staff.

In a Page to Stage workshop, pupils will work with a Polka practitioner to bring a book or set text 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
• Key performance skills

Children will…

• deepen their comprehension of the text through immersion and roleplay.
• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.
• use performance techniques to dramatise a key section of the text, or create an original performance piece told from an alternate point of view.

Recommended Workshop Length: 90 minutes to 1 day per class

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 performance and production techniques used in the performance they have just seen.

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

Performance Elements Explored (Dependent on Production):

• Puppetry
• Character
• Music and sound
• Movement
• Set & Costume Design
• Lighting

Students will…

• develop communication and teamworking skills through drama games and activities.
• grow their understanding of key performance and production techniques, and how they can be utilised in effective storytelling.
• explore the similarities and differences between theatre for children and adults.
• devise a short creative response to the production using at least one performance or production technique featured onstage.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

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 text or topic of your choosing.

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

Types of Puppets:

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

Students will…

• design, build and decorate their own puppet.
• learn how to manipulate their puppet and practice moving and talking with it.
• devise a short performance piece with their puppets.

Recommended Workshop Length: 90 minutes to 3 hours per class.

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

In our Coping with Change Workshop, students 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:

• Still Image
• Roleplay
• Devising
• Discussion
• Breathwork

Students will…

• explore the differences between the types of change they may experience in life.
• work in groups to devise their own performance pieces examining change and the effect it has upon wellbeing.
• use roleplay to explore a range of different techniques that can help to manage a difficult period of change.
• create a bank of wellbeing techniques, including breathwork exercises.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In our Empathy Workshop, students 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:

• Still Image
• Roleplay
• Devising
• Discussion
• Breathwork

Students will…

• explore a range of different scenarios that demonstrate empathy or a lack thereof.
• devise their own short performances to examine the root causes of misunderstandings and disagreements
• explore how empathy can be utilised in a range of situations.
• create a bank of wellbeing techniques, including breathwork exercises.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

In our Confidence Workshop, students 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:

• Still Image
• Roleplay
• Devising
• Discussion
• Breathwork

Students will…

• take part in roleplay games and activities designed to celebrate their differences, skills and strengths.
• devise short performances centred around setting boundaries and asking for help, exploring a range of situations and their potential outcomes.
• create a bank of wellbeing techniques, including breathwork exercises.

Recommended Workshop Length: 1 to 3 hours per class

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:

• Weekly Drama Classes and Clubs
• 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.