Resources for Drama

Someone asked me about where you can find resources for Drama. Like, you know there's no Drama section at Barnes and Noble or the library.

'Cuz, y'all: People don't read plays. They watch them. They are actors in them. They perform in them. If you wanna find dramas for kids, you're gonna have to look in another place.

1. Talk to your theatre teacher or speech teacher. They have plays. One Act plays are probably the best for the littles. (I bet the local theatre and children's theatre folks will be good resources too.)
2. Google scripts for Disney movies, cartoons, and other movies and TV shows, commercials, etc. You'll find TONS and BUNCHES of this stuff.
3. Look for Reader's Theatre stuff. TONS of that out there.

So this brings another consideration to the teaching of Drama. What's the purpose of reading a drama? That's going to change how we read them. At least it should. If you're reading The Crucible only as literature, you're missing  Arthur Miller's purpose and dramatic act of free speech. If you're reading a Reader's Theatre adaption of Bubba The Cowboy Prince, you're missing the author's purpose for writing it that way. It's meant to be read for the purpose of preparing it for a performance. Let's not steal the joy of watching a performance or of preparing one as we share these lovely writings with our students.

*Yes. I spell threatre funny. Most Americans spell it: theater. Most of the rest of the world does it the other way.  I like being obstinate.