Are you planning how to celebrate the cultural and religious festivals that are coming up at this time of year? If so, have you ever considered putting on a play but have shied away from the idea thinking it will cost too much time and money? Read on to see how you can put on a fantastic play without breaking the bank!
The Benefits Of Putting On A Play
Putting on a play in an early years setting can be a transformative experience for young children. It offers a range of benefits that can contribute to their overall development. Being involved in a play can:
- Enhance cognitive development
- Boost social skills
- Support emotional development
- Encourage physical development
- Stimulate imagination and creativity
- Build language and literacy skills
- Provide a sense of community
- Develop teamwork
Tips To Help You Produce A Successful And Memorable Play:
Assemble The Right People
Ask for volunteers and make use of existing talents. You may find that you already have a pianist or budding director in your mix or a local amateur drama enthusiast who can add valuable experience to your project. Make sure you allocate time for planning as well as rehearsals to keep things efficient.
Choose The Right Script/Story
There are several festivals around this time of year that you can use for inspiration for your play. Nativities are traditional around Christmas, but there are also other festivals/ideas to use as inspiration such as books and poems, Diwali and Hanukkah, or even the Winter Solstice or New Year.
When it comes to a script, you have several choices including:
- Ask a creative member of staff to adapt a story to suit your setting
- Use poems and books such as “’Twas the night before Christmas” of “A Christmas Carol”
- Devise and create your own original story
- Use a ready-made script – there are several companies who specialise in early years/primary performances adapted for small or large casts. See the list at the end of this article
- Put on a showcase with a series of smaller scenes rather than one longer play
- Think about adding music and songs that you can practice with a backing track from the internet
One ‘trick’ here to help the children remember lines if you are adapting a story is to describe their actions and dialogue first in narration, and then let the children create the dialogue. For example, your script could say:
NARRATOR: The two gentlemen saw Scrooge and asked him for a contribution to their charity.
TWO GENTLEMEN: Morning Scrooge – can we have a donation from you for our charity to help the poor?
NARRATOR: Scrooge was annoyed and replied brusquely, telling them to go away.
SCROOGE: Bah! Humbug! I hate Christmas and I hate charity workers. Go away and leave me alone!
In this example, the narrator can read the script, prompting the actors in the process.
Play Venue
You may not have a theatre at your disposal, but think about the spaces you do have. Theatrical people say that ‘all you need is an actor, and you can put on a play’ so as long as you have some willing cast members, don’t let anything hold you back. You can use a room and put all the chairs around in a U-shape or circle, or a dining hall to have an end-on performance. Consider your local community venues as well such as church halls, church buildings or even a local park, weather permitting!
Minimal Set Design And Lighting
Once you have your performance space, you can dress it for the occasion quite simply. Hang colourful curtains on an old curtain rail/pole and fix it to the back wall to create a simple backdrop, or use a projector to project images onto a plain wall. You can create lots of free images using AI, from a barn to a spaceship, so use your imagination and create and download your perfect backdrop.
When it comes to a set, be creative: use sturdy plastic boxes for tables and chairs, to give height and different levels (check for safety); cover a large clothes rail on wheels with a curtain to separate spaces or create a backdrop; Use tree branches to represent a forest, or give the children ‘token’ items to represent things, for example, a sign saying “The Inn”.
When it comes to lighting on a budget, use what you have. Many halls have sectioned lighting so turn the lights off on the audience and keep them on the stage area to help focus attention. Small disco lights can add colour or some special effects for magic or party scenes.
Creative Costumes And Props
Keep costumes and props simple by using your dressing up box and clothes that the children already have. Theme them, for example, all in blue, or multicoloured tops and plain trousers/leggings, and make your own masks and headdresses during craft sessions or use key items to suggest a character such as a headscarf, hat or some glasses.
Think about:
- Asking for donations from parents
- Local charity shops and jumble sales
- Making ears and noses for animals
- Approaching a local dance/performing arts school to borrow/hire specialist costumes
- Making your own musical instruments such as shakers, drums and rattles out of household items
Smart Marketing For A Play
Use your social media network and website to promote your play to your parents. Design some posters and flyers in house (you can use AI to do a lot of this) and put them up in your setting or local area, depending on your desired audience.
Fundraising And Sponsorship
Ask for sponsorship from local businesses in return for an advert in your programme, or try a crowdfunding campaign. Hold events such as bake sales, auctions or second-hand clothes/books sales to add extra funds.
Efficient Time And Resource Planning
Be efficient with your time planning. Plan your rehearsals so that everyone knows when they are, and make use of shared spaces and flexible scheduling to ensure that you have the right people at the right time. One useful tip is to delegate individual classes to practice different scenes so that they can practice on their own, needing fewer rehearsals that involve the entire cast.
By being resourceful and tapping into the talent and things you already have, you can put on a fantastic play without a hefty budget. ‘Break a leg!’
