A Theatre Activity Toolbox for Teachers and Parents
These short 3–5-minute videos have been designed by Berkshire Theatre Group’s (BTG) education team as brain breaks moments. These activities are drawn from the social emotional learning work BTG does with students as part of our theatre curriculum in school and after school programming. These activities have proven to be effective in engaging and creating a space where students feel encouraged to take positive risks, spark creativity, and handle transitional moments with ease.
These activities incorporate breathing warmups to calm, focus, and energize; movement to get the blood flowing, and activities to focus on active listening and quick thinking on your feet. These versatile activities are designed to be done virtually in the “Zoom room,” in a classroom, outdoors, or from the comfort of your home.
Activities to Get Moving and Thinking on Your Feet:
Presented by Allison Rachele Bayles, Travis Daly, Kathy Jo Grover, Lillian Colvin and Alexa Hilts
- Ships and Sailors – A theatrical take on the classic “Simon Says.”
- What are You Doing? – A fun activity that uses creativity, imagination, active listening and pantomime.
- Alien Interpreter – An improvisation activity that sparks creativity and quick thinking.
- One Word Story – An engaging activity to strengthen listening skills and team build.
Activities to Calm, Center, Reflect and Focus:
Presented by Allison Rachele Bayles, Travis Daly, Kathy Jo Grover, Lillian Colvin and Alexa Hilts
- Warm Up – Get your body warmed up and ready to go before any activity.
- Emotion Walk – Get in touch with different emotions by taking them out for a walk.
- Bee Breath – A relaxing breath to help center and focus.
- Bunny Breath – An energizing breath that can be also used to calm down.
- Snake Breath – A relaxing breath to help center and focus.
Activities to Get Moving and Thinking on Your Feet:
Ships and Sailors
A theatrical take on the classic “Simon Says.”
What are You Doing?
A fun activity that uses creativity, imagination, active listening and pantomime.
Alien Interpreter
An improvisation activity that sparks creativity and quick thinking.
One Word Story
An engaging activity to strengthen listening skills and team build.
Activities to Calm, Center, Reflect and Focus:
Warm Up
Get your body warmed up and ready to go before any activity.
Emotion Walk
Get in touch with different emotions by taking them out for a walk.
Bee Breath
A relaxing breath to help center and focus.
Bunny Breath
An energizing breath that can be also used to calm down.
Snake Breath
A relaxing breath to help center and focus.
