I’m bored!
Well, I know you’ve heard this, or your student’s moms have heard this. And most kids have uttered this during the first few days of summer break. Theatre kids may have a different take on being off for the summer. Many kids, and adults have something called the Post Show Blues or Post Show Depression. So, what happens when a theatre kid has been doing shows all school year and are suddenly at home for the summer and not doing what they love most? Don’t get me wrong, there may be youth and community theatre camps and summer shows within your neighborhood. They may be expensive though or difficult to get to for a working parent. What, as educators or theatre professionals can we do to help with this situation? I’ve got a few ideas for summer activities that might help. Some of my favorite products will be listed below. I may earn a commission if you purchase through one of these links.
Get a group of kids from your neighborhood together. Make it structured so that they feel as if they’re involved in a camp atmosphere. Call it a club, it makes it sound official!
Script Reading Club
US History Readers Theatre Grade 5-8 (Insert some history into that theatre!)
12 Fabulously Funny Fairy Tale Plays: Humorous Takes on Favorite Tales That Boost Reading Skills, Build Fluency & Keep Your Class Chuckling With Lots of Read-Aloud Fun!
Classic children’s novels turned into plays: Alice in Wonderland, A Little Princess, Pollyanna
Theatre Activity/Improv Club:
Theatre Games (Most of these will help your theatre kid in the future as well)
On Stage: Theatre Games and Activities for Kids
Theatre Games for the Classroom: A Teacher’s Handbook
175 Theatre Games: Warm-Up exercises for Actors
Improv: Some provide prompts but you can make up your own and use online lists and generators!
The Complete Improv Playbook: Unlock creativity & confidence with 70+ fun improv games and short & long-form improv techniques for every level to transform mistakes into magic.
Theatre Arts and Crafts: Pick and choose different activities, supply colored pencils, crayons and let the kids have at it!
This is just fun, especially if you only have one or two theatre kids: Masterpuppet Theater: The World of Shakespeare--at your Fingertips!
The Broadway Songs Coloring Book: 30 Illustrated Musical Theater Show Tune Titles
Broadway Musical Trivia Quiz Book: Gift for Theater Fans | Test Your Knowledge on Hamilton, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and More!
Broadway's Best Puzzle Book - Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, and More:
Watch musicals made into movies with your theatre kid
If you like DVDs
Oklahoma with Hugh Jackman
Les Miserables: The Dream Cast in Concert
Streaming
Newsies: Disney+
Hamilton: Disney+
Or, if you want to commit to seeing Broadway Musicals that have been filmed check out: Filmed on Stage
Go to the theatre
Check out your local community and professional theatres and take just your theatre kid or coordinate with other parents and take a bunch of theatre kids. Carpool, split parking, take snacks for intermission, plan a day of it!
Put on a play
Script
Have your theatre kid write their own.
Go to the library (also an activity!) and have them pick one out.
Purchase one
Do scenes from their favorite movies or books
Costumes
Raid your closet
Check in with relatives to see if they have something you can use
Thrift store
Costume Store
Makeup
Do they have their own stage makeup from school?
Purchase some makeup from Amazon or party stores right after Halloween to keep costs down.
Face paints
Lights (Are you performing inside or out?)
Outside or in, use outdoor string lights or holiday lights
For spotlights, you can use a clamp lamp
Sound
Bluetooth speaker and your phone, tablet or laptop
Live music if you know people who can play.
Set
Raid your house
Raid grandma’s house
Thrift Stores
Whatever you do, make sure you have a lot of snacks (you know kids love snacks), your creative hat on and plenty of kids (or even one kid). And have fun!
