Pandemic Teaching Tip #8: Match Their Moves & Virtual Field Trips

How do I teach theatre during a pandemic? *sigh*

We can help! We've been gathering pandemic teaching success stories from teachers and directors all over the country. Whether you're teaching over Zoom or socially distanced in a classroom, we have ideas for you!

Match Their Moves & Virtual Theatre Field Trips

Teaching tip from Lori Lum, theatre teacher and director in San Diego, California.

What suggestions do you have for teaching theatre during the pandemic?

It has been very challenging going back and forth from in-person to distance learning for sure! I have tried to keep things simple, move through the curriculum at a slower pace than I normally would, and give grace and understanding to myself and my students.

One way I try to keep things fun and lively is by coming to class upbeat, playing music when students enter, and continuing to try to interact with everyone even if they are behind a blank screen and unresponsive. I do physical games and warmups (Bubble Gum is a good one) and allow us to just have some relaxed fun together. If I see a student dancing a tik tok, I might say, “I see you out there!” and try to match their moves. (This usually gets a laugh because I am so terrible at it.) Another fun opportunity has been taking virtual theatre field trips. One of our local art centers offered a wonderful program called Layer the Walls with performances and lots of extension activities, so that was a really great addition to our class.

Have your own pandemic teaching tip? Share it with us so we can pass it on! Email mitch@theatreave.com. 

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Check out some of our other pandemic teaching tips:

#6 - Monologues!

#7 - Get Outside

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Read more from Lori in our Theatre People series!

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More about Lori

Lori Lum is a fantastic theatre teacher and director in San Diego, California. I worked with Lori developing digital set projections for The Wiz last year and discovered what a dedicated, intelligent, and visionary director she is. 

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