A series of online workshops for Waldorf teachers

In this 5-part workshop series, presented virtually in two-hour Saturday morning sessions taking place from October through March, participants will delve into Waldorf pedagogical theatre’s unique world, exploring its educational principles and practical applications with a focus on middle and high school grades. We will consider why we do plays and work on how to do them creatively and economically. The workshop’s practical goal is to give you the skills you need to mount a play in your school.

Through a series of engaging sessions, we will explore:

• Foundations of Waldorf Pedagogy: Why is theatre vital in nurturing the whole child? What practices can we implement to improve each child’s experience?
• The Role of Theatre in Child Development: How does theatre enhance children’s cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and social skills? What do we already know that we can use to create a successful student experience?
•  Building Social Fabric: Waldorf pedagogy considers the needs of individuals while maintaining an eye on the community. How do theatre productions work on both the meta and micro levels, and how can we help folks work together toward a common goal?
• Relevant Subject Matter: We will dissect and explain all the academic and artistic subjects that are necessary to complete a production
• Finding the “Right” Play and Casting: Working together and sharing resources, we will find plays for your classes
• Pre-production: Scheduling, designing, creating, rehearsing, memorizing, blocking: what you need to know
• Practical Approaches to Pedagogical Theatre: You will learn methods for creating and adapting theatrical activities and performances that align with Waldorf educational principles

Throughout the series, participants will engage in practical exercises and discussions to deepen their understanding and application of Waldorf pedagogical theatre. By the end of the five sessions, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence necessary to create meaningful theatrical experiences that inspire, educate, and empower children within a Waldorf educational framework.

Instructor

Deirdre Burns Somers is high school co-chair at The Waldorf School of Garden City, where her nearly two decades of serving on the faculty includes working on 45 theatrical productions, co-advising four classes, chairing the college for several years, and parenting two alums. Deirdre also worked at a public high school for several years, directing, designing, and building productions, and taught a graduate summer intensive on educational theatre for non-theatre majors at Adelphi University.

At the time Deirdre spent studying at Vassar College, the Vassar faculty believed that each graduate should be exposed to theatre from around the world and that each person should explore different jobs in theatre. These ideals expanded Deirdre’s experiences and have made a difference in her life. During her undergraduate years, she spent a year in London, taking classes with professionals from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Drama Arts. During her graduate studies, she was the technical director and light designer at the Powerhouse Theatre and directed plays for the Vassar drama department.

Deirdre’s extensive theatrical background also includes working as a production manager for a corporate theatre company in Hong Kong, serving as a visiting artist in Vassar’s drama department and special assistant to the dean of students responsible for the Berkshire Women’s History Conference, and, for eight years, working as the apprentice company manager for the Vassar & New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theatre. Deirdre earned her bachelor’s degree in drama and master’s in dramatic literature and criticism from Vassar. 

Schedule
Zoom sessions take place 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (Eastern/NY Time) on the following Saturdays:
October 5 / November 2 / December 14 / February 1/ March 15

Cost 
$370 includes a $25 non-refundable registration fee
NOTE: Demystifying Class Plays is presented as a whole series; individual sessions may not be signed up for separately. Refunds will not be issued for sessions not attended. See registration form for full refund policy.

Available Discounts

25% off for

• Schools sending 2 or more participants
• Sunbridge teacher education program graduates
• Payments made in Canadian dollars

Free for current Sunbridge program students in good standing (plus a $25 non-refundable registration fee)

Discounts may not be combined. Qualification for discounts will be verified by Sunbridge staff. 

Registration to open shortly.

Questions?
Please contact Barbara Vitale, admissions and summer coordinator, at [email protected] or 845-425-0055 x20

We reserve the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary. See registration form for refund policy.

Sunbridge is a New York State Education Department Approved Sponsor of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (NYSED CTLE), enabling teachers of any background to choose Sunbridge for their CLTE/CEU professional development credits. Check to see if your state honors our status.