New Year, New Character | Identity, Presence & Performance Reset for Drama

Once your class is calm, what comes next?

After the holidays, students often need more than behaviour management — they need purpose.

New Year, New Character is a calm, structured drama resource designed to help students reset how they enter the space as performers, before moving into text-based or creative work.

Rather than focusing on energy or improvisation, this lesson prioritises presence, restraint, focus, and intention.

WHAT THIS RESOURCE DOES

This resource helps students:

-Become aware of how they enter and hold space
-Develop stillness, eye-line, posture, and focus
-Understand the difference between personal presence and character presence
-Make controlled, intentional performance choices
-Reflect on performance using clear, accessible language

It works especially well in January, but can be used at any point where a class needs to re-centre or deepen performance awareness.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

A complete standalone drama lesson / mini-unit, including:

A core performer identity reset task
A structured physical exploration (no acting, no exaggeration)
An optional silent performance moment
A character-based extension task linking drama and literature

Curated character options from:

Shakespeare
Modern drama
Myth and literature

A clear comparison and reflection task
Built-in differentiation (KS3 / KS4–5 / SEND–EAL)
Clear timing pathways (15, 30, or 60 minutes)

SUITABLE FOR

KS3 Drama
KS4 / KS5 Drama
Drama clubs
First lessons back after the holidays
Transition from behaviour reset into text work

This resource can be used:

As a standalone lesson
As a January follow-up to January Drama Reset
As a bridge between drama and literature

Start the new term by shaping how students show up — not just what they do.