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This theatre workshop, "Page to Stage: Exploring Stories Through Creative Drama," is designed for K–5 students and aligns with Wit & Wisdom Module 1: A World of Books (Grade 1). Through creative ... Read more

This theatre workshop, "Page to Stage: Exploring Stories Through Creative Drama," is designed for K–5 students and aligns with Wit & Wisdom Module 1: A World of Books (Grade 1).

Through creative drama activities, theatre games, improvisation, and collaborative storytelling exercises, students transform stories from the page into imaginative theatrical experiences. Students explore characters, settings, events, and themes within a selected story while engaging with literacy-based vocabulary and using performance techniques such as voice, movement, gesture, and role-play to express their understanding. By stepping into the world of each story, students discover how authors use narrative elements to create meaningful experiences for readers and audiences.

Educators may choose from four Page to Stage workshop experiences, each inspired by a beloved children’s book. Each workshop uses the selected story as a foundation for creative exploration, theatrical expression, and vocabulary development:

• "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" — Students explore themes of choice, persuasion, responsibility, and imagination while stepping into the world of the Pigeon and the bus driver. Key vocabulary includes character, persuade, flock, and tableau.

• "Elephant & Piggie" — Students explore themes of friendship, communication, emotions, and cooperation while bringing Gerald and Piggie’s playful world to life. Key vocabulary includes quarrel, complimentary, and dreary.

• "A Year with Frog and Toad" — Students explore themes of friendship, empathy, problem-solving, and change while exploring the seasonal adventures of Frog and Toad. Key vocabulary includes hibernate, merely, tedious, and peril.

• "Where the Wild Things Are" — Students explore themes of imagination, emotions, conflict, and transformation while journeying with Max to the land of the Wild Things. Key vocabulary includes rumpus, wild, tame, gnash, stare, and roar.

Through guided exploration, dramatic play, and reflection, students discover how books can inspire creativity, introduce new perspectives, and become the foundation for their own storytelling. By moving stories from the page to the stage, students experience firsthand how their voices, bodies, and imaginations can bring literature to life.

Page to Stage workshops are available year-round and can be scheduled on weekdays at a time that best fits your school’s schedule. Whether you're enriching a literacy unit, extending classroom learn... Read more

Page to Stage workshops are available year-round and can be scheduled on weekdays at a time that best fits your school’s schedule. Whether you're enriching a literacy unit, extending classroom learning, or looking for an engaging arts-integrated experience, our teaching artists are excited to bring the magic of storytelling and creative drama directly to your students. With four beloved book-themed workshops to choose from, there's a Page to Stage experience ready to inspire readers, spark imaginations, and bring stories to life in every season.

This 60-minute Page to Stage workshop brings literature to life through creative drama, theatre games, and storytelling activities inspired by one of four featured children's books selected by the cla... Read more

This 60-minute Page to Stage workshop brings literature to life through creative drama, theatre games, and storytelling activities inspired by one of four featured children's books selected by the classroom teacher. Through imaginative play, students explore memorable characters, important choices, rich vocabulary, and meaningful themes while developing confidence in using their voices, bodies, and creativity as storytellers. Each workshop is designed to strengthen literacy skills through character exploration, vocabulary development, narrative understanding, and collaborative dramatic play.

Lesson Plan (60-Minute Workshop)
Workshop Title: Page to Stage: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Grade: K–5
Module: Wit & Wisdom Module 1: A World of Books (Grade 1)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Welcome & Introduction (5 minutes)
• Introduce the workshop and explain how actors transform stories from books into live performances.
• Activate prior knowledge by discussing Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and exploring what makes a memorable story.
• Introduce key vocabulary: character, narrator, persuade, expression, imagination.
• Establish expectations for collaboration, creativity, and safe participation.

2. Bringing Characters to Life (10 minutes)
• Explore how actors use their bodies, voices, and facial expressions to create characters.
• Students experiment with physical and vocal choices inspired by the Pigeon, the Bus Driver, and other characters from the story.
• Discuss how a character’s wants, choices, and emotions help move a story forward.

3. Storytelling Through Movement (10 minutes)
• Guide students through movement-based activities inspired by moments from the story.
• Students explore how movement can communicate actions, emotions, and ideas without words.
• Encourage students to make bold creative choices while connecting physical choices to the story.

4. Improvisation & Scene Creation (15 minutes)
• Students work individually, with partners, or in small groups to create short scenes inspired by the world of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
• Encourage students to incorporate elements of storytelling, including character, problem, solution, and point of view.
• Teaching artist supports students in making collaborative choices and developing original ideas.

5. Sharing & Reflection (10 minutes)
• Students share character moments, improvised scenes, or theatrical snapshots with the group.
• Facilitate reflection through discussion questions:
How did you show what your character wanted?
What choices helped tell the story?
How can actors help an audience understand a character?
• Celebrate creativity, teamwork, and individual expression.

6. Closing (10 minutes)
• Review key theatrical concepts explored throughout the workshop.
• Reflect on how stories can be transformed through acting, movement, and imagination.
• Celebrate students as storytellers and performers.

Our teaching artists provide all of the materials needed to facilitate an engaging and interactive Page to Stage workshop, including any props or instructional resources used during theatre games and ... Read more

Our teaching artists provide all of the materials needed to facilitate an engaging and interactive Page to Stage workshop, including any props or instructional resources used during theatre games and storytelling activities. Educators may choose from four featured book experiences: "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!," "Elephant & Piggie," "A Year with Frog and Toad," or "Where the Wild Things Are." Following the workshop, teachers will also receive an electronic resource guide featuring extension activities, discussion prompts, vocabulary connections, and creative classroom ideas to continue the learning long after the workshop concludes.

The wonderful thing about creative drama is that it thrives on imagination, collaboration, and play, requiring very few materials from your school. Our teaching artists bring everything needed to faci... Read more

The wonderful thing about creative drama is that it thrives on imagination, collaboration, and play, requiring very few materials from your school. Our teaching artists bring everything needed to facilitate an engaging and interactive workshop inspired by the selected book, creating a meaningful arts-integrated experience through storytelling, movement, and theatre games. To help students fully participate, we simply request access to an open space, a Smartboard or projector (when available), and chart paper for collaborative activities.

To ensure a successful and engaging workshop, we recommend an open space where students have enough room to move safely and participate in creative drama activities. Classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums,... Read more

To ensure a successful and engaging workshop, we recommend an open space where students have enough room to move safely and participate in creative drama activities. Classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, cafeterias, and multipurpose spaces all work wonderfully, and desks or chairs can easily be moved aside to create additional room when needed. We also request access to a Smartboard or projector (when available) and chart paper to support select activities. Our teaching artists are flexible and experienced in adapting to a variety of learning environments, transforming everyday spaces into imaginative worlds where stories leap from the page to the stage.

Students will explore the characters, vocabulary, and themes of a beloved children's book through creative drama, using movement, voice, and imaginative play to deepen their understanding of the ... Read more

Students will explore the characters, vocabulary, and themes of a beloved children's book through creative drama, using movement, voice, and imaginative play to deepen their understanding of the story.

Students will apply storytelling techniques by creating and performing original scenes, demonstrating an understanding of character, sequence, problem-solving, and key events within a narrative.

Students will collaborate with peers during theatre games, improvisation, and storytelling activities, strengthening communication, creative thinking, and confidence while developing an appreciation for how stories can come to life through performance.