Open Forum

Hello Fellow Theatre Ed Teachers,
I work with a group of special needs students and next semester we are wanting to work on a short play or two.  The special ed teacher would like it if we could do plays that focus on life skills such as dealing with emotions and other social skills.  The plays could also address occupational skills as well.  These  are students with Downs or they fall somewhere on the spectrum and all are high functioning.  If anyone can think of some plays or a resource I could tap into it would be so appreciated.
Many Thanks,
John

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John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
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I'm a special education teacher who runs our high school theater program (late nights and paperwork for the win!). I had a lot of success with SubText from Playscripts Inc. It's a one-act told as a series of vignettes about dating and high school. Personally, I think our students with ID and Autism are underserved in this area. Often they are removed from these conversations. It's a fun play and I think it would spur good discussions about social skills and peer interactions. If you don't want to go in that direction Playscripts Inc has a good selection of similar one-acts and vignette sets.
For the occupational skills, have you considered doing a cabaret night? You could work with your co-teacher to show the kids how to make simple appetizers and drinks. You could students about food handling and service. They could perform scenes and skits from the one-act that you work on in class.

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Alyse Pollock
Williamsburg VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2018 14:59
From: John Rowe
Subject: Short plays for special needs students

Hello Fellow Theatre Ed Teachers,
I work with a group of special needs students and next semester we are wanting to work on a short play or two.  The special ed teacher would like it if we could do plays that focus on life skills such as dealing with emotions and other social skills.  The plays could also address occupational skills as well.  These  are students with Downs or they fall somewhere on the spectrum and all are high functioning.  If anyone can think of some plays or a resource I could tap into it would be so appreciated.
Many Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Hi Alyse,
Sorry for the delayed response.  I have passed on SubTExt to the Special Ed teacher and we shall see what she thinks.  Thanks for the recommendation and I also like the idea of a cabaret night.

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2018 10:54
From: Alyse Pollock
Subject: Short plays for special needs students

I'm a special education teacher who runs our high school theater program (late nights and paperwork for the win!). I had a lot of success with SubText from Playscripts Inc. It's a one-act told as a series of vignettes about dating and high school. Personally, I think our students with ID and Autism are underserved in this area. Often they are removed from these conversations. It's a fun play and I think it would spur good discussions about social skills and peer interactions. If you don't want to go in that direction Playscripts Inc has a good selection of similar one-acts and vignette sets.
For the occupational skills, have you considered doing a cabaret night? You could work with your co-teacher to show the kids how to make simple appetizers and drinks. You could students about food handling and service. They could perform scenes and skits from the one-act that you work on in class.

------------------------------
Alyse Pollock
Williamsburg VA

Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2018 14:59
From: John Rowe
Subject: Short plays for special needs students

Hello Fellow Theatre Ed Teachers,
I work with a group of special needs students and next semester we are wanting to work on a short play or two.  The special ed teacher would like it if we could do plays that focus on life skills such as dealing with emotions and other social skills.  The plays could also address occupational skills as well.  These  are students with Downs or they fall somewhere on the spectrum and all are high functioning.  If anyone can think of some plays or a resource I could tap into it would be so appreciated.
Many Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------