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History of theatre in education

After the Second World War, people became aware that drama or theatre techniques might be useful as a way of fostering effective learning in schools. This is known as Theatre in education or ‘TIE’ for short. Brian Way, who founded the Theatre Centre in 1953, was an early practitioner  including Gordon Vallins, who established TIE at the Belgrade Theatre in  Coventry in 1965. Their work was so influential that it spread nationwide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOLhlQhFFKo
This a video I watched last year in a previous theatre in education project that I found incredibly interesting and informative. Its done by TEDx and talks about how we as actors can make education fun by simply finding that childish parts of our self and using that childish nature to create drama.




Currently Theatre in Education is specifically targeted at school both primary and secondary, the theme of the performance is usually a subject the students are studying. There is also a clear moral and educational message running through out the piece.


In primary school performances children like to move and to interact with others. In the performance they are asked to do exactly this. Rather than sitting still and listening they are encouraged to move, speak and respond to one another. For students who are challenged by reading and writing like myself when I was of primary school age, its a great new way for them to learn in way that's engaging for them. Drama is also a away for children to understand difficult issues and emotions that their brain cannot fully comprehend. It encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning.
For secondary school students theatre in education normally focuses on PSHE or relevant topics going on in the world today, whether that be drugs, sex, relationships, mental health the list goes on and on. For most student its a chance to experience live theatre relevant to them and open up discussions about serious topic that are sometimes not thought in their school. Sometimes it even inspire some pupils to pursue an acting career if they aren't thought drama or have drama classes if the piece is impactful enough.




Theatre in education company's.

Some example of theatre in education company's are of course the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry The Belgrade soon became renowned for its programme of exciting new drama and early Company members at the Theatre included Trevor Nunn, Ian McKellen, John Gunter and Joan Plowright. Having started the theatre in education  movement in the 1960s the Belgrade also continues to pioneer new initiatives in this field as well as other community and outreach programmes. http://www.belgrade.co.uk/
There is also the Konfluk theatre in education company that specialises in  school children b and young people creating works like  ' A play in a day' across the uk. They have successfully been running for 20 years after being founded in 1997. They work with over 1000 schools every year working closely with teachers and other educational professionals. http://www.konfluxtheatre.co.uk/

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