School may have closed but that doesn’t mean your creative skills can’t be put to the test! Here is a week-long task designed for you to create and perform a brand new show in a week. Sound fun? But also a little bit scary? Great! All the best adventures are. Now prepare to have a crazy, exciting and challenging showbiz week.

This weeks project based learning was designed by our tutor Rebecca, who is a keen marital artist and tutors alongside her work as an actor and stunt-woman. Please email info@educationhotel.co.uk if you would like Rebecca to support your child in their learning.

Day 1

Research

All the best shows begin with research. Think about any theatre shows you have watched and research the shows using the theatre’s websites. Take a look at the poster, the rehearsal pictures, who wrote, performed and directed the show and try to remember your favourite parts of the show. Perhaps draw a picture of a specific image that stood out to you or write down a few lines of text you remember hearing. 

Now, if you haven’t seen many shows or simply can’t remember, take a look at the video links below. 

National Theatre War Horse Trailer: https://youtu.be/wujNwkObgN4

Kneehigh The Tin Drum Trailer: https://youtu.be/D1KXcmFrJW4

The Worst Witch Trailer: https://youtu.be/hoxG_C4BVrc

Shakespeare’s Globe Romeo and Juliet Trailer: https://youtu.be/8TuR24xhtYg

School of Rock: The Musical Trailer: https://youtu.be/C3ejnn2gshw

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time: https://youtu.be/UVrOsXhG61Q

Physical Theatre: https://youtu.be/P_HfdiC7tZU

Shakespeare BBC Teach: https://youtu.be/D1rbtHchv1g

Start forming your own opinion on the style of show you would like to create this week. Would you like to explore musicals and dance? Would you like to use puppets or toys to tell the story? Or would you really like to write a dramatic show with lots of twists and turns? 

Day 2

Storyboarding

Start thinking of the story you want to tell. You can write this in any format – mind map, lists, paragraphs, a visual storyboard using drawings, etc. 

Think about characters, storyline and where and when it is set. Get creative! It can be something completely made up or perhaps be based off a book or maybe even a dream you have had. 

One of the best ways to write is to use a story mountain –

As you start your story you will need to describe your character and what they are like – remember to include their personalities in your story, not just what they look like!

As they go ‘up’ your story mountain they should encounter a problem or discover something new about themselves- maybe they have an argument with a friend? or encounter a dragon? or discover they can fly?

If you plan on having an interval you can end this first half of your story on a cliffhanger…

The second half of your story should be all about solving the problem or using their ‘powers’ for good.

Really think about the locations – that you are going to describe – because this is being done at home, how are you going to make your  audience feel as though they are in enchanted forest, or a the bottom of an ocean. Remember literary devices such as onomatopoeia and metaphor can help here

Script 

Using the story you created yesterday, today you need to write your script! This can be on paper or on an online document. 

If you have any creative juices left start to draw a poster for your show. This should include the time and date of your show. 

Day 3

Casting

Who is going to play who? Use anyone in your household. This can include friends, family, pets, puppets, toys, etc. Once everyone has their assigned role/roles, they may now need a script. You can print off individual scripts, share one script (everyone will learn their lines quickly this way) or write out special scripts for each role. 

(Fun Fact: When Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed all the actors used cue scripts. This meant they only had their lines along with the line before, known as their cue line.) 

Rehearsals

Begin to practice the show. Decide who the director is. This is the person who makes sure the performers know what they are doing and that the story in the script is being conveyed to the audience. 

If your show requires music you can appoint a musical director. They will arrange any music required in the show – using your own personal collection, online services or perhaps live instruments. Additionally, if your show requires any movement or dance you can appoint a choreographer. This person will arrange all of the movement or dance in the show under the supervision of the director. Consider a narrator, who will tell the audience what is happening if the actors change location and describe where they are.

Now practice, practice, practice! 

Day 4

Costume, Props, Lighting and Set

Think about what is available in your house right now and decide which room you’re going to perform in. Where can you set up the smart device which is going to virtually show your friends and family this amazing show you have created? 

Find or make costumes, props and set and discover what lighting you can use in your house. Perhaps if someone isn’t performing, they can change the lighting or props depending on the atmosphere in the scene. 

Ticket Pricing

Using your math skills, work out how much you are going to sell tickets for your show. Think about how much money you may have spent during rehearsing, perhaps on posters, costumes, props, hiring actors, etc. And now work out how to make that money back. 

Counting out coins and notes can be a great way to practice addition so consider making mum and dad pay you in monopoly money!

Marketing your Show

Finish your poster and now advertise your show! Invite friends and family to virtually watch your show by emailing them. 

Day 5

Final Preparations

You have had to do so much work over the past few days, now it’s time to catch up and make any final tweaks before show day tomorrow. 

Day 6

Show Time!

Today you will have a dress rehearsal, work on any notes the director may have and then perform for your adoring audience! Feel free to record the performance on a device to watch back tomorrow.

Day 7

Have a rest!

If you want you can watch back any recordings you may have made and write down 3 things you could improve and 3 things that you are very proud of achieving this week.