Step into the chaos and creativity of Frantic Assembly’s building blocks of physical theatre—a high-energy scheme of work that turns movement into meaning. Through fast-paced ensemble tasks, inventive lifts, breath-taking sequences, and the iconic “chair duets,” students learn to tell powerful stories without relying on words. This practical, hands-on journey breaks performance down into accessible, repeatable techniques, building confidence, trust, and fearless collaboration along the way. Expect dynamic rehearsals, bold physical choices, and theatre that feels urgent, raw, and electric. This set of tasters are pitched at Y10/11 - differing from my other series for lower years

Dive into a dynamic scheme of work where performance begins with a powerful stimulus and grows through exploration, debate, and bold physical storytelling. Students unpack meaning through live reviews, capturing immediate reactions and sharpening critical thinking in real time. Using Head vs Heart reflections and evolving word clouds, they explore both intellectual responses and emotional impact, deepening their connection to the material. Ideas are brought to life through striking freeze frames, crafting precise moments of tension and symbolism, before expanding into energetic physical comic strips that transform narrative into movement, rhythm, and visual storytelling. This sequence of lessons builds analytical skill alongside creative risk-taking—encouraging students to respond instinctively, collaborate confidently, and turn thought into theatrical action.

In this unit, students will develop their understanding of how to bring a script to life through directing and staging. They will learn about stagecraft, including blocking, use of space, and how technical elements such as lighting and sound can support performance. The cultural link for this scheme is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which explores the world through the perspective of a young person with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Students will reflect on issues of equality, inclusion, and representation, considering how theatre can give a voice to diverse experiences. Through practical work, they will rehearse and perform scripted extracts, learning the discipline of working with a playwright’s words. This scheme builds confidence, creativity, and respect while deepening students’ knowledge of theatre as a tool for empathy and understanding. ere’s a list of skills developed in performing from a text: Interpreting a script Understanding character motivation Using voice (tone, pitch, pace, projection) Facial expression Gesture and body language Spatial awareness and blocking Memorisation of lines Timing and delivery Interaction and listening skills with other performers Use of stage directions Awareness of audience Incorporating technical elements (lighting, sound, props, costume) Rehearsal discipline Building confidence in performance Conveying subtext and meaning

In this unit, students explore classical Greek theatre through texts such as Pandora’s Box and The Odyssey. They will focus on directing and staging, learning how to interpret a script and bring it to life on stage. Students will develop an understanding of classical storytelling, dramatic conventions, and the cultural context of ancient theatre. The scheme encourages creativity, innovation, and enterprise as students experiment with performance styles and stagecraft. Through practical workshops and performances, they will refine skills in collaboration, expression, and problem-solving. This unit helps students build confidence, imagination, and a deeper appreciation of theatre’s history and its relevance today. Script interpretation and character analysis Directing and staging Voice projection, clarity, and expression Gesture, movement, and body language Understanding of classical theatre conventions Use of space and stagecraft Creativity and innovation in performance Collaboration and teamwork Problem-solving and decision-making Confidence and stage presence Audience awareness and engagement Reflective and evaluative skills

In this unit, students will explore technical theatre by studying aspects of theatre production such as lighting, sound, set, and costume. They will analyse how these elements contribute to storytelling and audience experience. The cultural links include War Horse and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, offering examples of professional and innovative stagecraft. Students will develop an understanding of how technical elements support performance and convey mood, atmosphere, and narrative. The focus on the global community encourages students to appreciate theatre from different cultures and the collaborative effort required to create a production. Through practical workshops and live reviews, students build technical knowledge, creativity, and teamwork while developing a deeper understanding of the wider theatre industry. Understanding theatre production Lighting design Sound design Set design Costume design Stagecraft knowledge Storytelling through technical elements Analytical skills Observation skills Creativity Innovation Collaboration Teamwork Problem-solving Timing and coordination Spatial awareness Audience awareness Reflective skills Evaluative skills Understanding professional theatre practice

In this unit, students will explore stage combat through devising, focusing on safe choreography and effective delivery. They will learn how to create believable action sequences while maintaining safety for themselves and others. The cultural link is Romeo and Juliet, which provides context for conflict, tension, and storytelling through physical performance. Students will reflect on themes of bullying and tolerance, understanding how conflict can be represented and resolved on stage. Through practical workshops, they will develop teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving skills. This scheme helps students build confidence, physical control, and empathy while using drama to explore important social issues. There is also a video training CPD - delivered by myself to demonstrate each movement - Audio is slightly corrupted but I have included a running transcript Choreography Stage combat techniques Physical control and coordination Timing and precision Gesture and body language Expression and emotion Safe movement practices Teamwork Communication Creative problem-solving Confidence Spatial awareness Audience awareness Performance delivery Reflective and evaluative skills

In this unit, students will explore immersive theatre through devising, responding to a stimulus, and experimenting with directing and staging. They will use mind mapping techniques to balance logical and emotional ideas when developing scripts and performance concepts, exploring the “head vs heart” approach. The cultural link is Milly Jenkins’ True Crime scheme, which encourages investigative storytelling and audience engagement. Students will develop creativity, innovation, and enterprise as they design interactive and immersive performances. Through workshops and practical tasks, they will enhance collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. This scheme helps students build confidence, imagination, and expressive ability while learning how theatre can engage audiences in unique and meaningful ways.

Step into the chaos and creativity of Frantic Assembly’s building blocks of physical theatre—a high-energy scheme of work that turns movement into meaning. Through fast-paced ensemble tasks, inventive lifts, breath-taking sequences, and the iconic “chair duets,” students learn to tell powerful stories without relying on words. This practical, hands-on journey breaks performance down into accessible, repeatable techniques, building confidence, trust, and fearless collaboration along the way. Expect dynamic rehearsals, bold physical choices, and theatre that feels urgent, raw, and electric.