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Drama Teacher Conference

Out of focus to the left of the image, a group of people stand with their hands raised in front of a beige curtain, on the right three people are watching the group whilst smiling and clapping.

Enhance your skills and learn from industry professionals with the National Theatre’s annual two-day Drama Teacher Conference.

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Past conferences

2025 Drama Teacher Conference

In February 2025 the National Theatre’s annual Drama Teacher Conference celebrated its 10th birthday at the Lowry, Salford. The two-day conference included workshops, networking opportunities and a ticket to one of our productions. Sessions included:

  • Exploring Contemporary Practitoners: Complicité
  • Improvisation and teaching Shakespeare at KS3 with Shakespeare North
  • Ensemble: Moving the masses with The Knotted Project
  • NYE: The Power of Voice with Francesca Goodridge
  • Tech Top Tips: getting to grips with design, production and technical theatre National Theatre Skills Centre
  • Using real world events to create drama with Alecky Blythe
Open Gallery Dialog: 7 images A group of people move around a studio. In the foreground a person in a striped t-shirt holds one end of a horizontal bamboo stick which is being balanced with another person.
A group of people move around a studio. In the foreground a person in a striped t-shirt holds one end of a horizontal bamboo stick which is being balanced with another person.
A group of people move around a studio. In the foreground a person in a striped t-shirt holds one end of a horizontal bamboo stick which is being balanced with another person.
View 7 images
A person is speaking into a microphone and gesturing with her hand while sitting on a stage. A person sits next to her, listening attentively. Both are in casual attire, and the background is dark. Two people in casual clothing are gripping each other's wrists and leaning back. They are surrounded by other people watching in a circle. Three people dressed in black are talking in a room. They seem engaged and animated. A group of people sit in a classroom setting, attentively listening. They hold sheets of paper. A group of people in casual attire are standing in a line and raising their arms. One person in the foreground is in focus, wearing a gray shirt, and enthusiastically gesturing upwards. A person stands at a podium, gesturing while speaking to an audience. They are wearing a white sweater. Behind them is a dark background with illuminated text.

Photography by Phil Tragen

I have left with a new spark and passion to teach: I have never felt so seen and valued […] I feel so refreshed and ignited!

– Teacher, Drama Teacher Conference 2025

Having the time and space to be able to explore practitioner’s work with […] other drama teachers provided space for conversation, reflection and positive collaboration.

– Teacher, Drama Teacher Conference 2025

2025 artists included

Logo for Shakespeare North Playhouse

Shakespeare North Playhouse

Shakespeare North Playhouse
Logo for The Knotted Project

The Knotted Project

The Knotted Project
Logo for Complicite

Complicité

Complicité
Photo portrait of Alecky Blythe

Alecky Blythe

London Road

2024 Drama Teacher Conference

2023 Drama Teacher Conference

Open Gallery Dialog: 10 images Out of focus to the left of the image, a group of people stand with their hands raised in front of a beige curtain, on the right three people are watching the group whilst smiling and clapping.
Out of focus to the left of the image, a group of people stand with their hands raised in front of a beige curtain, on the right three people are watching the group whilst smiling and clapping.
Out of focus to the left of the image, a group of people stand with their hands raised in front of a beige curtain, on the right three people are watching the group whilst smiling and clapping.
View 10 images
A woman stands in front of a microphone on an AstroTurf stage, presenting to an audience, a large television screen to her right displays ' Welcome to the Drama Teacher Conference 2024. Inspire, Connect, Support'. In front of a black background, a panel of five people sit in a row, the central figure holds a microphone addressing an audience who are out of shot to the right, the rest of the panel smile and laugh. In a white rehearsal room, six people, each manipulating an everyday item, surround a seated seventh person who glumly rests her chin in her hands. A roomful of people face each other in pairs, hands raised in a fighting stance, as part of a stage combat workshop. A woman, seated on the back of an auditorium chair, addresses an audience in the Lyttelton theatre as part of a sound workshop. In front of a black background, two people stand in front of a lighting desk, behind them theatre lights are seen on a rigging bar at head height. A small group of people, seated in a large circle which extends beyond the frame, listen intently to a facilitator who is also seated in the circle. A woman in a white vest and turquoise leggings leads a yoga class in a pose balancing on her left knee and hand, a large group of participants on purple mats copy the pose behind her. Four teachers stand looking through and handling National Theatre Archive materials.
Open Gallery Dialog: 7 images Five Teachers taking part in a workshop for Drama Teacher Conference
Five Teachers taking part in a workshop for Drama Teacher Conference
Five Teachers taking part in a workshop for Drama Teacher Conference
View 7 images
A group of teacher wearing masks during a mask workshop, Drama Teacher Conference 2023 Two Teachers manipulating a puppet, during a workshop Drama Teacher Conference 2023 Teachers working in pairs during Drama Teacher Conference 2023 Five teachers sat in a row taking part in a Drama Teacher conference 2023 A large group of teachers with their hands in the air, taking part in a Drama Teacher Conference movement workshop 2023 Teachers resting after a movement workshop, Drama Teacher Conference 2023

The chance to reignite creativity, to remind yourself what it is like to be on the receiving end of teaching and learning, to re-inspire and excite the love of the subject – the chance to play and be with like-minded people and feel the joy of theatre!

– Teacher, Drama Teacher Conference 2024

Very inclusive and engaging […] direct transferable skills that can be used and adapted for a wide range of ages and abilities in school.

– Teacher, Drama Teacher Conference 2023

2022 Digital Conference

Lucian Msamati speaking about monologues with a colleague
Play Video

The Art of the Monologue with Lucian Msamati and Amaia Naima Aguinaga

Play Video:

The Art of the Monologue with Lucian Msamati and Amaia Naima Aguinaga
Alecky Blythe speaking about her technique
Play Video

Verbatim Saying It For Real with Alecky Blythe, Sita Thomas and Hasan Dixon

Play Video:

Verbatim Saying It For Real with Alecky Blythe, Sita Thomas and Hasan Dixon
Emma Tompkins and Luke Kernaghan speaking about their method
Play Video

The Language of Design Costume Set and Direction with Emma Tompkins and Luke Kernaghan

Play Video:

The Language of Design Costume Set and Direction with Emma Tompkins and Luke Kernaghan

Contact us

Katy McEntee
Senior Coordinator, Schools Engagement

Jess Martins
Coordinator, Schools Engagement

You can contact the Secondary team on secondary@nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photos © Phil Tragen
Drama Teacher Conference 2025

Photos © Emma Hare
Drama Teacher Conference 2024

Photos © Emma Hare
Drama Teacher Conference 2023

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Two teachers moving their hand in the air for a workshop during Drama Teacher Conference 2023

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