Middle School Programs

Acting 1: The Actor’s Toolkit

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

In this introductory class, students learn the fundamentals of acting through energetic theatre games and exercises. We’ll tackle the most important question behind every character: “What’s my objective?” Once we understand what our characters want, we’ll explore the tactics they might use to achieve their goals – and what happens when they run into obstacles along the way. Each workshop or residency experience will be tailored to the grade and experience level of the class.

Devising: Collaborative Storytelling and New Play Development

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Residency Only

Devising, or collective creation, is one way that theatre-makers create new stories for our stages. In this residency, SCT Teaching Artists will guide your classroom through ensemble building activities and group improvisation to write a new one-act play. This class can only be taught in a residency of 5+ weeks.

Improvisation

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

In this fast-paced, creative environment, we’ll learn the fundamentals of improv, beginning with the all-important adage “Yes, and…” From there, we’ll learn how to create stories without scripts or rehearsal using a wide variety of improv techniques, formats, and games.

Musical Theatre Movement

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

Get on your feet! Each week your class learns how performers use their bodies to tell stories through this fun physical-education residency. Students develop movement and dance skills to the tunes from popular Broadway shows. Be sure to have a large space available so students can safely dance.

Sketch Comedy

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

Bring your best punchlines and hone your humor in this class filled with improvisation, creative exploration, and collaboration. Students work as an ensemble to write, workshop, and present their own original sketch comedy scenes. Live from Seattle, It’s SCT!

Stage Combat

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

Ever wonder how actors perform a combat scene? In this active, dynamic class, students will explore the ways actors stay safe on stage during fights that make an audience think “That looked so real; I hope they’re okay!” Learn the essential moves and skills for on-stage combat, including convincing falls, slaps, and other fight moves in a safe environment.

Conflict Resolution

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop Series

Weave theatre and social emotional learning together to practice Conflict Resolution. Your ensemble will rehearse scenarios that require collaboration and Conflict Resolution. Students are empowered to identify the problem and their feelings, stay safe and calm, and communicate effectively as they move towards a solution. This curriculum can be tailored to meet the needs of your classroom, incorporating scenarios on cyber-bullying, exclusion, classroom disagreements, etc. This is a 3-session workshop series, but can be expanded to a 6+ class residency.

Creative Drama for Mental Wellness

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency | Workshop Series

This program is designed to bring students and their teachers together in an immersive learning environment that is brave, active, and community focused. Guided by SCT Teaching Artists, participants engage in creative play to strengthen trust and collaboration, and then focus their energies inward using structured activities that encourage self-reflection. CD4MW bridges theatre education with evidence-based strategies in SEL to help students develop self-awareness and make positive choices in addressing their mental health needs. This is a 2+ workshop series, but can be expanded to a 6+ class residency.

Ensemble Building

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

Theatre is a gateway to a stronger community. Turn your classroom into an ensemble through a myriad of theatre-based exercises that actors use to become a collaborative team. Each activity will focus on important 21st Century Skills: critical thinking, social/emotional learning, empathy, creative problem solving, positive communication, collaboration, and imaginative play. We recommend a residency experience of 5 sessions for optimal student success.

The Holocaust and The Diary of Anne Frank

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

The Diary of Anne Frank is studied world-wide as it documents the sobering true story of eight people living and hiding in Nazi occupied Holland during World War II, as seen through the eyes of 13-year-old Anne. Her words reach out to us over the generations, inspiring us to never forget, to never give up on the power and goodness of the human spirit, and to always “fill life with living.” This workshop explores these historical events while teaching the importance of empathy, advocacy, and disruption of othering in society. Students should have knowledge of Anne Frank before taking this workshop or residency. We recommend a workshop experience of 3 sessions for optimal student success. Inspired by The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.

Playwriting: Journey of the Hero

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Residency Only

Let’s ignite the power and magic of creativity through the journey of the hero! Students will learn the fundamentals of playwriting; structure, plot, character development, and dialogue through creative exercises that ignite the imagination and explore how these ingredients created everlasting heroes like Percy, Frodo, Luke, Katniss, and Indiana Jones. We recommend a residency of 5 sessions for optimal student success.

Poetry for the People

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

If telling your truth and expressing yourself fills your soul with music, then get ready to explore the art of Spoken Word, a form at the intersection of poetry and hip-hop.
Poets are first and foremost storytellers, who add sleek rhymes and clever intonations to bring their words alive. Students will learn how to craft their own poems and practice performing them for a group of peers.

Season 49 Dramatic Connections Workshops

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop Series

Dramatic Connections Workshops are booked in tandem with a field trip to SCT and are a classroom experience designed to enhance students’ engagement with what they see on stage. The workshop curriculum is developed and presented by our Teaching Artists in the form of a one-hour pre or post show workshop (or both)! The workshop can happen in your classroom at your school, or at SCT (pending class size and availability). It ideally takes place within a week of your field trip date. The curriculum can be adapted for each workshop opportunity. The workshop will have students on their feet, stretching their imaginations while deepening their knowledge about the characters, setting, and themes of the mainstage show. Looking for more info?

Former Season Workshop

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop Only

Did you miss the show but read the book? Our past mainstage workshops are available upon request and pair with a classroom study on the book or theme of the show title. Discover SCT’s previous seasons here.

Commission a Topic

6th – 8th Grade | 60 Minutes per Session | Workshop & Residency

Don’t see a topic we offer yet? You can commission new workshops that integrate theatre with a subject or unit of your choice. You’ll be paired with our teaching faculty to co-design a kinesthetic and interdisciplinary learning experience tailored to your curriculum needs.