Saturday, February 04, 2012
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Strategies Cross-Cutting

Drama Techniques

Drama techniques are the everyday tools of the drama teacher. They help to develop enquiry skills, to encourage negotiation, understanding and creativity. They can enhance performance skills such as character development and storytelling and be used across the curriculum to actively involve students in their own learning.

Cross-cutting (also called split-screen) is a drama technique borrowed from the world of film editing, where two scenes are intercut to establish continuity. In drama and theatre the term is used to describe two or more scenes which are performed on stage at the same time. This makes it possible to juxtapose scenes or snippets of scenes that happen at different times or in different places, using separate areas of the performance space. The technique is used to highlight or contrast a particular theme or aspect of the story. Using different groupings, both scenes could happen at the same time, or one could be frozen while the other comes alive. This can have a similar effect to spotlighting particular areas of the stage or using a split-screen in a film.

Why use it?
Cross-cutting is invaluable for analysing themes in the performance of a drama by directly comparing or contrasting elements of the story.

Primary Drama Courses

Directing Courses

  • The Spark, The Flame, The Fire: Devising Theatre The Spark, The Flame, The Fire: Devising Theatre
    Wednesday 29th February 2012 10:30am - 4:30pm Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 Course Tutor: David Farmer What is it? This one day course in London is all about devising theatre, starting with finding the right stimulus...
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  • Berkoff and Godber - Physical Theatre Berkoff and Godber - Physical Theatre
    Saturday 10th March 2012 10:30am - 4:30pm Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1
    Course Tutor: Mandy McKenna This brand new workshop provides tasks and exercises to introduce Physical Theatre techniques and develop an understanding of Expressionism and Total Theatre in Steven Berkoff and John Godber’s early work. Total Theatre uses all aspects of theatrecraft to engage...
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Drama Books by David Farmer

101-shad1

"One of the handiest things to have around" - Teaching Drama magazine

 If you enjoy the activities on this website, then you will love 101 Drama Games and Activities by David Farmer. The pages are packed with tried and tested ideas for drama lessons, workshops or rehearsals. 

Buy now from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Learning-Through-Drama-shad1

Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years by David Farmer contains drama strategies and lesson plans for use with primary school children both within subject areas and as extended learning opportunities in whole class drama sessions. Now available - signed copies for order exclusively through this website. Download 40 page sample.

Buy now from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com