A dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book in the Nick Hern Books Drama Games series, this title is for teachers and workshop leaders working with difficult or reluctant students, youth groups, young offenders, and all those who seem intent on saying 'no' to whatever is offered them.

'This book offers invaluable ways for artists, teachers, workshop leaders and activists to better use the arts to empower young people' Ken Livingstone, from his Foreword.

For these groups, drama games and activities need to be robust and engaging, and the dozens that appear in this book have been devised with this in mind - and then tested by their target players. Each page features clear instructions on How to Play, notes on the Benefits of the Game, and advice on age range, number of players and timing.

Following the ninety games and exercises aimed at developing core skills, the book offers scenarios for a series of improvisational challenges that test participants' abilities in mediation, communication, negotiation, assertiveness and managing emotions. Also included is a collection of games aimed at preparing teachers and workshop leaders for facilitating challenging sessions.

The ultimate aim is to encourage reluctant participants to engage, collaborate and develop not just skills for drama but skills for life.

About the Author

Chris Johnston (1952-2017) was a writer, performer, director, teacher, and workshop facilitator who championed work in community-based theatre and improvisation. His work with Insight Arts Trust (1988-98) and then Rideout (1999-2016) pioneered a range of theatre and arts-based strategies for working with prisoners and those on probation. His experiments with ensemble work were realised in two companies, ESP and Fluxx. Particularly with Fluxx he developed Citizen Theatre - improvised performances that explored issues of concern to local communities. A further company, Livestock, was established in Brighton with a focus on arts and education.

He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Warwick between 1998 and 2003, and between 2003 and 2006 he was an AHRC Fellow in Creative & Performing Arts. He was awarded a Butler Trust Award in 2005 for his work in the Prison Service and made a Companion of LIPA in 2011. His writings for Nick Hern Books include House of Games (2006, first published by Routledge in 1998), The Improvisation Game (2006) and Drama Games for Those Who Like to Say No (2010).

Reviews

'Packed to the brim with bright and breezy ideas - a bargain!'

* Total Theatre Magazine *

'Each section of the book is well laid out and the games are clearly explained... contains some very interesting exercises'

* Youth Drama Ireland *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848420496
Author Chris Johnston
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 214g