DEVISING
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DEVISING 〰️
Our award-winning Devising Theatre resources are designed to be flexible, practical, and easy to use in any drama classroom.
The free resources on this page give teachers the freedom to mix, match, adapt, and shape activities to suit their own schemes of work, lesson plans, and students’ needs.
Whether you’re leading a one-off workshop, developing a sequence of lessons, or building a full devising unit, these tools will help you spark ideas and guide students towards imaginative, meaningful performance work.
EXPLORING STIMULUS TOOLKIT
A dynamic collection of 40 engaging exploration tasks and creative activities designed to inspire and guide students in their journey of creating original theatre.
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This toolkit gives drama teachers the tools they need to deliver engaging, impactful explorations, where students develop both their creative and analytical skills. By encouraging deep exploration of stimulus material, students gain confidence in creating original theatre that is well-researched, innovative, and emotionally resonant.
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All resources are provided as high-resolution PDFs for easy printing and PNGs for embedding in digital resources, such as digital portfolios, presentations and virtual learning environments.
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The toolkit offers a wide range of activities to spark ideas, develop characters, explore stimuli visually and physically, and support creative writing. Students can deepen understanding through analytical tasks, sensory exploration, still images, soundscaping, role work, and brainstorming, helping them connect emotionally, think creatively, and uncover richer meanings in their performance material.
THE MISSIONS
Exploring Stimulus: The Missions is an interactive and engaging inquiry game designed to help ensemble groups delve deeper into their chosen stimulus in a creative and collaborative way. This game provides five distinct missions, each encouraging students to explore their ideas from unique perspectives and experiment with different devising techniques.
The missions include:
50 Words: Distill the essence of your stimulus into a concise, impactful description.
Iceberg Explorer: Uncover the deeper layers and hidden meanings within your stimulus.
Still Images: Create powerful visual representations that bring your stimulus to life.
Soundscape: Use sound and vocal exploration to build an auditory world inspired by your stimulus.
Character Dig: Develop rich, dynamic characters connected to your stimulus.
This game inspires inquiry, creativity, and critical thinking, while fostering ensemble collaboration.
AIMS & INTENTIONS
Exploration activities for devising groups to develop the aims and intentions of their work.
CREATING & DEVELOPING
Discover 25 creative explorations designed to help devising groups shape bold, original performance work.
From developing characters and experimenting with devising techniques to exploring performance space, structure, story, plot, and more, these activities give students practical ways to generate ideas, make creative choices, and bring their devised pieces to life.
CREATING AND DEVELOPING
DEVISING DRAMA TRACK
This game introduces students to a variety of devising conventions and techniques in an engaging and dynamic way. By using the number randomiser, students are prompted to explore specific strategies, which they experiment with during the creation of their devised work.
In class, click the three dots to enter full-screen mode or use the linked-button below to share with devising groups.
CREATING AND DEVELOPING
MONOLOGUE & SOLILOQUY WRITING
This interactive exploration has been designed to guide students through the process of understanding, writing, and performing monologues or soliloquies as part of their devised piece.
In class, click the three dots to enter full-screen mode or use the linked-button below to share with devising groups.
CREATING AND DEVELOPING
BACKSTORY BUILDER
The Backstory Builder is an interactive game designed to help drama students develop rich and detailed backstories for the characters they are creating in a devised theatre process. Using a roulette wheel and a numbered prompt system, students explore different aspects of their characters’ lives, such as origins, life events, relationships, secrets, daily life, and motivations.
The flexible format allows teachers to tailor the activity to individual, pair, or ensemble work, making it suitable for a wide range of explorations.
REHEARSE - REFINE -AMEND
20 frameworks for students to plan, document and evaluate their devising rehearsals across performance and production elements.
REHEARSALS
SPINSPIRATION: THE REHEARSAL EXPLORATIONS GAME
SPINSPIRATION is an engaging, interactive game designed by Black Box Education to inspire creativity and collaboration in ensemble devising rehearsals. The game combines chance and strategy, challenging groups to explore, enhance, and adapt their devised scenes through a variety of rehearsal elements. By spinning the wheel, groups are guided to focus on a specific rehearsal exploration area, such as characters, dialogue, or movement. Rolling the dice within each element determines a practical exploration that pushes the ensemble to create new ideas and refine their work.
ANALYSIS & EVALUATION
15 frameworks for students and devising groups to analyse, evaluate and reflect on their processes, rehearsals and performance.
REFLECTION
Devising: Reflection Circles is an interactive reflection tool designed to help drama students evaluate and deepen their understanding of the rehearsal process while devising original theatre. The game is divided into three categories of reflective questions:
Personal Reflection
Group Dynamics & Collaboration
and Creative Choices & Ideas.
Each category contains 10 thought-provoking questions, encouraging students to critically assess their work, share insights, and identify areas for improvement.
POSTER SETS TO PURCHASE
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POSTER SETS TO PURCHASE 〰️
The Creating a Character poster set is a valuable resource for drama educators and students, providing a comprehensive guide to character development techniques.
Ideally suited for display in drama classrooms or as a versatile addition to learning materials, these posters offer a flexible approach to teaching and learning. They can be printed, laminated, and mounted on classroom walls for ongoing reference or seamlessly embedded into both digital and print-based learning resources.
Each poster is carefully designed to break down key aspects of character creation, ensuring that students can explore their roles with depth and precision. Whether used as a visual aid during lessons or as an independent study resource, this set will inspire creativity and enhance performance skills.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF booklet
25 high-res PDF posters to print from A5 up to A1 or embed into digital apps.
The poster set explores:
The First Read Through
Action Analysis
The Given Circumstances
Exploring the Background
Research
Objectives and Super-Objectives
Through Line of Action
Subtext
Character Analysis
Identity Markers
The Magic If
Emotional Memory
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION
The Exploring Vocal Skills poster set is a comprehensive resource designed to support drama and theatre students in mastering the essential techniques of vocal performance.
This beautifully crafted collection of posters provides clear and concise explanations of 13 key vocal skills, making it an invaluable tool for both classroom display and independent study.
Flexible in its application, these posters can be printed and displayed around the drama classroom to create a visually engaging learning environment or embedded into digital and print-based learning materials to enhance lesson plans and resources.
Whether used as a quick reference guide during rehearsals or as a foundational learning tool, this set ensures students develop a deeper understanding of how to use their voice effectively in performance.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF poster booklet of the full set
26 high-resolution posters designed for ultimate flexibility! Print them in sizes ranging from A5 to A1, or seamlessly integrate them into your favourite digital apps and programmes.
The 13 vocal skills covered are:
Diction
Inflection
Intonation
Pace
Pause
Projection
Pitch
Volume
Accent
Emotional Range
Tone
Articulation
Resonance
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION
The Drama Techniques and Devices Vol. 1 poster set is an essential resource for drama educators and students, offering a comprehensive exploration of 20 key techniques and devices used in theatre.
Designed with flexibility in mind, these high-quality posters can be printed in sizes ranging from A5 to A1 to be displayed in the drama classroom or incorporated into digital and print-based learning materials.
Each poster provides clear explanations, thought-provoking questions, and practical guidance to help students deepen their understanding and refine their performance skills. Perfect for rehearsals, lesson planning, or independent study, this set is ideal for enhancing creativity and technique.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF Booklet
20 high-resolution posters designed for ultimate flexibility! Print them in sizes ranging from A5 to A1, or seamlessly integrate them into your favourite digital apps and programmes.
This inspiring poster set dives into:
Collage
Choral Speaking
Cross Cutting
Direct Address
Flashback
Flash-forward
Gossip Chorus
Hot Seating
Marking the Moment
Monologue
Narration
Synchronised Movement
Placards
Slow Motion
Soliloquy
Soundscape
Still Image
Split Scene
Thought Track
Vox-pops
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION
The Drama: Physical Skills poster set is an invaluable resource for drama educators and students, providing a detailed exploration of key physical skills essential for performance.
Designed to support both teaching and learning, these posters can be printed and displayed in the drama classroom for quick reference or seamlessly integrated into digital and print-based learning materials. Their versatility makes them an ideal addition to any drama programme, helping to enhance understanding and mastery of physical performance techniques.
Each poster focuses on a specific physical skill, offering practical guidance, exercises, and reflection prompts to develop students’ confidence and abilities on stage.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF Poster Booklet
26 high-res PDF posters that can be printed from A5 up to A1 or embed into digital apps.
There is one poster with a detailed definition and another poster with practical guidance, exercises, and reflection prompts. The 13 skills explored in this set are:
Posture
Gesture
Agility
Gait
Proxemics
Facial Expressions
Spatial Awareness
Balance
Pace of Movement
Movement
Body Language
Eye Contact and Focus
Energy Dynamics
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION
The Drama Techniques and Devices Vol. 1 poster set is an essential resource for drama educators and students, offering a comprehensive exploration of 20 key techniques and devices used in theatre.
Designed with flexibility in mind, these high-quality posters can be printed in sizes ranging from A5 to A1 to be displayed in the drama classroom or incorporated into digital and print-based learning materials.
Each poster provides clear explanations, thought-provoking questions, and practical guidance to help students deepen their understanding and refine their performance skills. Perfect for rehearsals, lesson planning, or independent study, this set is ideal for enhancing creativity and technique.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF poster booklet of the full set
20 high-resolution posters designed for ultimate flexibility! Print them in sizes ranging from A5 to A1, or seamlessly integrate them into your favourite digital apps and programmes.
This inspiring poster set dives into:
A Day In The Life
Alive For Five
Alter Ego
Aside
Collective Character
Dramatic Pause
Guided Depiction
Exaggerated Movement
Gestural Language
Heightened Use Of Language
Interview
Line Of Thought
Live Sound Effects
Montage
News Report
Overheard Conversations
Overlap
Reflective Circle
Verbatim
Zoom In
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION
The Exploring Space in Drama and Theatre poster set is an engaging and informative resource designed to help students and performers understand the effective use of space on stage.
Perfect for drama classrooms, these posters can be printed and displayed as a constant reference or incorporated into digital and print-based learning materials, offering flexibility to suit a variety of teaching and learning approaches.
Each poster delves into a specific aspect of spatial awareness and staging, providing clear explanations, practical guidance, and visual aids to enhance understanding and creativity in performance.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
A PDF Booklet
20 high-resolution posters designed for ultimate flexibility! Print them in sizes ranging from A5 to A1, or seamlessly integrate them into your favourite digital apps and programmes.
This inspiring poster set dives into:
Ensemble Awareness
Pathways
Transitions
Blocking
Levels
Personal Space
General Space
Architecture
Proximity
Proxemics
Mise-en-Scène
Directions
Locomotor Movement
Axial Movement
Peripheral Vision
Spatial Awareness
Proxemics Positions and Blocking
Stage Directions
Body Positions
Body Directions
INSTANT DOWNLOAD UPON PURCHASE
PURCHASE INCLUDES USE ACROSS ONE SCHOOL SITE / ORGANISATION