Drama Skills Development Workshops

Years K to 6

Come and explore a day of drama with our skills development workshops for primary students.

Open to all students from Years K–6 from NSW public schools, these workshops will aim to build confidence and knowledge in Drama by working collaboratively with a group of students and an expert tutor. Please see the workshop options below for the different workshop topics available.

When

Sunday 25 May 2025

Time

Face to face

• Session 1: 10 am to 12 pm
• Session 2: 1 pm to 3 pm

Online

• Session 1: 10 am to 11:30 am 
• Session 2: 1 pm - 2:30 pm

Note that the online sessions are shorter to allow for the fatigue of learning through a screen. 

Students can come for just one session or can book in for both sessions for a full day of workshops. Students who book for the full day face to face workshops will need to bring their lunch and will be supervised by teachers during the break.

Venue

The Arts Unit – Corner Toothill Street and The Boulevarde, Lewisham or virtually through Microsoft Teams

Cost

• Single, face to face workshop (2 hours) – $45.00
• Full day, face to face workshop (4 hours) – $90.00
• Single online workshop (90 minutes) – $25.00
• Double online workshop (3 hours) – $50.00

All payments will be accepted online through our student payment portal.

Morning

Years K to 2: Creative play and expression

Let’s use group imagination to explore ideas and express ourselves! This two hour workshop designed specifically for K–2 students introduces improvisation and storytelling techniques with a focus on creativity, physical expression, character and movement. 

Note that this workshop is the same workshop as the afternoon session. We recommend students in K to 2 only participate in one 2 hour workshop for the day.

Years 3 and 4: Characterisation  

Want to learn how to build clear and interesting characters? This workshop will focus on how to use your body and voice to communicate different personalities on stage. Beginners welcome.

Note that this workshop is the same as the Characterisation workshop in the afternoon.

Years 3 to 6: Creative storytelling with movement

Our bodies are extremely important for storytelling on a stage. In this workshop, we will experiment with movement and creative physical expression. Learn how to use gestures to create meaning and develop confidence in using movement to communicate ideas. Work with small groups to explore group relationships and create stories through your coordinated movement. Beginners welcome.

Years 5 to 6: Warm ups and group improvisation

This workshop will develop skills through warm up games that prepare the mind and body for creative thinking before exploring small group improvisation tasks that develop characters and situations for storytelling.

Note that this workshop is designed to be a companion with the Introduction to Devising workshop in the afternoon, but can also be a standalone workshop for those who are new to group work in drama.

Online class: Creative storytelling with movement

Our bodies are extremely important for storytelling on a stage. In this workshop, we will explore individual expression through gesture and movement. We will use music as a stimulus to create a short movement piece that tells a story.

Please note that you will need access to a laptop or computer with a web cam and a reliable internet connection for this workshop. Note that for safety, cameras will be expected to stay on for the duration of the workshop.

Afternoon

Years K to 2: Creative play and expression

Let’s use group imagination to explore ideas and express ourselves! This two hour workshop designed specifically for K–2 students introduces improvisation and storytelling techniques with a focus on creativity, physical expression, character and movement. 

Note that this workshop is the same workshop as the morning session. We recommend students in K to 2 only participate in one 2 hour workshop for the day.

Years 3 and 4: Characterisation  

Want to learn how to build clear and interesting characters? This workshop will focus on how to use your body and voice to communicate different personalities on stage. Beginners welcome.

Note that this workshop is the same as the Characterisation workshop in the morning.

Years 3 to 6 (advanced): Audition techniques

Want to hone your audition skills and build your confidence in handling the pressure of an audition? This workshop will focus on techniques and approaches for auditioning for a role. 

Please note that this workshop is designed for students who already have experience in drama and are confident performers. If you are unsure, please get in contact with the team at [email protected] 

Years 5 to 6: Introduction to devising

'Devising' is a term we use in drama that means developing an original work. This often involves using small improvised tasks to build draft material and then gradually refining this material into a performance. Learn an approach to devising which uses small group improvisation and collaboration to develop a story. 

Note that this workshop is designed to be a companion with the Warm Ups and Group Improvisation workshop in the morning, but can also be a standalone workshop for those who already have some experience in drama who want to learn more about devising. If you are new to drama, we recommend doing both workshops to build your confidence in improvisation and then learn an approach to devising.

Online class: Writing a monologue

Every wanted to write your own monologue? This online workshop will lead you through an approach to writing a solo performance with dialogue that provides an emotional journey. Learn to think about situation, character and relationships as you shape your monologue and experiment with storytelling through words and gestures.

Please note that you will need access to a laptop or computer with a web cam and a reliable internet connection for this workshop. Note that for safety, cameras will be expected to stay on for the duration of the workshop.

To book in for a 2025 Drama Skills Development Workshop, complete the online booking form.

Bookings will close on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

• Each workshop will be led by a drama teaching specialist.
• Workshops will be active, students must wear comfortable clothing.
• Students are required to be on The Arts Unit's premises for the duration of the workshops and the lunch break if they are staying for the whole day.
• Please make sure your name is clearly marked on belongings and leave unnecessary valuables at home.
• Please bring water and plenty to eat for lunch. There is no cafe or canteen on site. 
• Online workshops will be run through Microsoft Teams. Students must have access to a laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone for this session, as it will involve interaction. Please note that for safety, cameras must remain on for the duration of the workshop.