On Stage: Theater Games and Activities for Kids

I used this book to teach a summer drama class for a local daycare to grades 1st-5th. The kids couldn't get enough! I used this book the whole summer, and it taught them how to work togather, even with their age differences.

Great Book...well written, easy to follow exercises! Lisa Bany-Winters has written a highly comprehensive and interactive book packed full of theater exercises with great tips for additions to each exercise. This book is terrific for elementary school teachers, camp activity leaders, children's parties and of course, children's drama instructors. I highly recommend this book to anyone who knows a wanna-be star!

During my years studying drama in high school, college and in England, I've been exposed to many theatre games and activities. Since my summer school assignment this year was teaching drama to middle school kids, I thought I'd get this book as a back up to some of those games, especially since level might have been an issue. I was so surprised and delighted to see almost every improv, character, voice, etc. activity I've ever done in this book. It is thorough, creative and can be used with any age group, from pre-schoolers to college students. Don't be fooled with the "for Kids" part of the title...some of the games would even be entertaining at adult social gatherings!

I teach theatre courses for all ages of kids, and this is the book that I turn to most often for quick ideas. The illustrations and explanations are clear as day and the games themselves are alot of fun.

I run The Independent Theatre Workshop - a theatre school for tots to teens in Dublin, Ireland and I am always on the lookout for material for my drama classes. I found this book easy to read and easy to use. Many 'teaching' books are so long winded that you never get far into them. This book follows a clear and logical path taking the young actor from the very basics, through to more complicated improvisations and short scripts in a fun and imaginative way. I often pick up this book and open it at random to select a game or excercise there and then - with great results! The instructions are clear and reader friendly and although every game and activity has a specific 'lesson' to teach, they all without exception actually WORK with children - a rare quality in this day and age when children know what they do and don't like and aren't shy about letting you know it! This is also the perfect book for the non -drama teacher to use to introduce drama into the classroom. Excellent for use with all children from 7 - 12 years (although my teens and young adults love the stuff too!)