Description
Book SynopsisAll the Classroom's a Stage reveals how teachers can apply theater skills to the craft of teaching and enhance their ability to engage and motivate students, cultivate collaborative learning, and become stronger and more dynamic performers' in the classroom.
This book illustrates how to use theater techniques to invigorate the craft of teaching in college classrooms across multiple disciplines. The book shows readers how to explore and apply improvisation, actor-training, and directing techniques to their classroom. By using discipline-specific examples, case studies, and a breadth of theater and teacher-training experience, the book reveals how theatre can strengthen teaching and learning, improve attendance, retention, and students' commitment to their education and to each other. Whether a new teacher navigating the job for the first time or an experienced veteran hungry for new teaching methods, All the Classroom's a Stage will transform a traditional classr
Trade ReviewReflecting a combined 45 years of its authors' theatrical and teaching experience, All the Classroom’s a Stage cuts to the chase that lies at the heart of both drama and education: the empathetic and imaginative telling of the human story. The great theater of the human experience and memory is hardwired into all of us (actors, directors and educators). We just need to discover how to tap into it. Flanagan and Bonczek have given us the tools to do exactly that. Sharing solid theory and numerous practical and collaborative exercises rooted in years of personal experience (their marvelous “war stories” alone are worth the price of the book!) and resting upon impressive scholarship reflected in the book’s valuable and extensive bibliography, the authors have provided all educators with an inspiring guide for student / learner success.
-- Joseph McGraw, adjunct professor of history, Stevenson University
While everyone is fretting about “flipping classrooms” so technology can save us all, Bonczek and Flanagan remind us humanity is the greatest teacher’s aid. Merging the pathos of the theater with the logos of the classroom, they present us with the incredible, imagination-freeing, idea-multiplying, human-connecting power of group storytelling. The true beauty of it? No discipline is immune to the power of ensemble learning.
-- Christian De Matteo, English and creative writing professor, St. Mary’s College of California; founder: Tellworthy Creative Writing Services and co-founder, Fugitive Poems
If you're looking to ignite your classroom, look no further. This clear-cut guide offers a renewed (and quite possibly brand new) passion for teaching. The clarity of the authors gives confidence to apply their techniques to the craft of teaching any subject with complete conviction. Their methods are sure to develop a trust between student and teacher that is the foundation for all good learning. And perhaps most importantly, it inspires young minds to engage in their education in ways that are both challenging and welcoming. I couldn't wait to begin teaching this Fall!
-- Roger Manix, co-founder, Ludolo, experiential platform for leadership development & team-building; adjunct lecturer,The New School, Global Executive Masters in Strategic Design and Management
This book is a valuable addition to curriculum materials in the high school and community college Introduction to Speech course. Its exercises give the teacher fun and useful ways to get students to address and abolish fear of “performing” in front of others, as well as ways to enter into fun collaborations with each other in the classroom. Students open up, rather than shut down. Great work!
-- Helen Huff, professor, speech, communications, and theatre department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York
Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgement
sIntroduction
Chapter 1: Theatrical Concepts Applied To The Classroom
Chapter 2: The Teacher as Performance Artist
Chapter 3: Creating The Story—Abandoning The Traditional Lecture
Chapter 4: All Of Your Classroom Is A Stage
Chapter 5: Your Students As Your Acting Partner
Chapter 6: The Educator As Director
Chapter 7: Your Stage In Action: Using Theater To Teach WritingAppendices
Bibliography
About the Contributors
