As a teacher, I tend to spend as much, if not more, of my waking hours in the classroom than I do in my own home. As much as I love being able to rehearse in the auditorium itself, much of the time it is necessary for my students and I to remain in the theatre classroom. For this reason, it is important that when decorating the theatre classroom, we make it a comfortable place for me the teacher and a welcoming place for my students. For teachers everywhere, theatre or otherwise, who find themselves needing to make their classrooms more welcoming, there are a number of things that you can do. Not only will these ideas help to make your classroom more inviting, they will also make your room more conducive to learning and productivity.
So where do you start? Do you go the traditional route with posters and bulletin boards? Perhaps you could step outside of the box? Or maybe even recreate the look of a theater within the classroom space? Perhaps a bit of all three… Whichever route you choose, strive to create an environment that inspires creativity for both you and your students. Here are several possibilities to get you started.
Lighting
Classroom lighting can be harsh. Long periods of exposure to florescent lighting can cause headaches. There are several options for softer lighting including lamps, twinkle lights, and light filters.
- Fluorescent light filters don’t have to be boring. If you’re stuck indoors, it’s nice to have the option of clouds or a tree canopy. Cloud 001 offers fluorescent light filters that help protect your eyes. 2’x4′ – High Pixel LightCovers for Classroom, Office, and Hospital
- Another amazing option is the tree canopy light filter by Golden Eagle.
- Then again, how cool would it be to add theatrical lighting on a light tree!
- Another way to create amazing ambiance in the theatre classroom is with these dazzling star shaped twinkle lights! You’ll want to string several end to end and work them using the included remote!
2. Wall Decor
a. Educational Posters
Traditional classroom wall decor could include educational posters. If you wanted, you could even spice these up by backing them with posterboard or adding decorative borders or trim.
Daydream Posters offers a colorful collection of 25 informational posters (which can also be purchased individually, in groups, or all together). Each of the posters are laminated gloss paper measuring 33” x 23.5”.
The poster titles are as follows:
5 Acting Posters:
- Acting Skills
- Performing a Character
- Acting Activities
- Acting Terms
- Stage Positioning
9 Writing, Directing and Designing Posters:
Studying Drama as Literature
- Devising Techniques
- Writing a Playscript
- Writing a Theatre Review
- Drama Practitioners
- Drama Practitioners 2
- Creating a Theatre Set
- Improving your Directing Skills
- Stage Lighting
7 Theater Posters:
- Types of Staging
- Greek Theatre
- The Globe Theatre
- Theatrical Terms
- History of Theatre 1
- History of Theatre 2
- 20th Century Theatre
4 Musical Theater Posters:
- Styles of Musical Theatre
- Musical Theatre Skills
- History of Musical Theatre 1
- History of Musical Theatre 2
b. Motivational Posters
A more contemporary approach to classroom posters are chalkboard style motivational posters. AceConcepts offers a set of 20 Laminated Inspirational Posters, each of which measures 13″ x 19″. I love the sleek black chalkboard look and the bright pops of color.
Pictures and paintings can help create a more inviting atmosphere and can showcase the style of the teacher.
c. Wall Art
Have you seen these rustic looking theater reproduction prints? This set of four vintage patent prints of a stage pulley, spotlight, theater seat, and theater are 8″ x 10″ each, perfect for the theatre lover! Printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, the high detail image printed on great quality paper stock, unlike other flimsy, inkjet prints, will ensure years of enjoyment. They would look amazing in your home or in a theatre classroom! They come unframed, so you’ll be able to choose the perfect frame for your decor!
This 11″ x 14″ unframed theatre reproduction print showcases a spotlight patent. This print is printed on semi-matte Fuji Crystal Archive paper to last a lifetime. Whether an actors, lighting technician, or singer, this reproduction print is sure to please.
- Don’t forget to pick up supplies to hang your posters and wall art! Command picture hooks are a good option for artwork with an attached hanger.
- For posters and other trickier to hang items, try this Double Sided Mounting Tape.
Add Life
- Plants always help to bring a space to life. Make it as easy and self sufficient as possible by using this Smart Flower Pot which is self watering and has an LED grow light.
In Conclusion
This really is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you can do when it comes to decorating the theatre classroom. Get inspired so that you and your students can be inspired. If your classroom is like mine, it’s a place where you spend a lot of time, so it should be a place where both you and your students are happy and excited to be!
You might also like Office Supplies that Take Center Stage.
This is a lot cooler than my theater class back in school! I’m kind of jealous now lol but awesome ideas, I’m sure your kids love it. They probably look forward to coming to class because of the extra care you’ve taken to make them feel comfortable.