Shakespeare Explorer:
drama workshop

✓ Reception - Year 6
✓ Led by a professional drama facilitator
✓ Literacy, World Book Day
✓ Delivered in your school hall

Experience Shakespeare’s plays through drama, using the skills and techniques of professional theatre

Shakespeare’s plays were written to be performed. Our Shakespeare Explorer workshops use drama to give children a first-hand exploration of our greatest storyteller’s most famous plays.

Classes from Reception to Year 6 work with an expert actor-facilitator to develop their collaborative skills and explore the characters, story and themes. By taking creative ownership of the play they gain a newfound confidence with Shakespeare that they can carry with them outside the classroom and in future.

Each session begins with an introduction to Shakespeare and his world, and continues with an animated storytelling of your chosen play. Children then develop their own responses to the story through character and movement work. Younger children go into the story by recreating the setting of the play, and older children work with Shakespeare’s text and discuss their responses to the story.

Created by:
Abigail Rosser
Find out more about our creatives.

 

Also available:
Shakespeare Today
A whole school workshop to rehearse and perform
A Midsummer Night’s Dream in one day.
Find out more >


  • We work with children in their usual classes.
  • Sessions are 35 - 40 minutes for Reception, 35 - 60 minutes for KS1 and 50 - 90 minutes for KS2.
  • We can work with up to six classes per day, or up to five KS2 classes.
  • To work with fewer classes we can visit for just an afternoon or morning session.
  • To work with more than six classes we can visit across multiple days.
  • We will send you a suggested timetable when you enquire and we can work with you to create a timetable that works for your school day.



  • Explore and develop an in-depth understanding of the chosen play's story.
  • Develop empathy and understanding by inhabiting the lives and physicality of the characters.
  • Examine the rhythm and imagery of Shakespeare’s language.
  • Gain confidence through play and performance.



For World Book Day and Shakespeare Week 2025 we will be running workshops based on either A Midsummer Night's Dream or The Tempest. Head to our dedicated Shakespeare Week page for more information.
 

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Try our FAQs page.

Play Options

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Reception, KS1, KS2
Hamlet
KS2
Macbeth
KS2
Romeo and Juliet
KS2
The Tempest
Reception, KS1, KS2
Twelfth Night
Reception, KS1, KS2
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