Calling All Drama Teachers!

Written By Cheryl Stapleton

To kick off 2026, we are proud to announce that will be delivering a deep dive into commedia as part of Mayflower’s Illuminate South Drama Teacher Conference. If you are a drama teacher, you do not want to miss this! Places are going like hot cakes so book early to avoid disappointment.

A lightbulb with Mayflower Illuminate South written inside it next to the logos of the four companies involved

Friday 23rd January 2026, 9.15am-5.15pm

This packed full day features four incredible CPD workshops delivered by We Teach Drama, Punchdrunk Enrichment, Splendid Productions and Learning Through Theatre. There will be opportunities to meet and talk with theatre education specialists, industry professionals, and fellow drama teachers.

Commedia dell‘Arte in the Classroom: A Practical Toolkit for KS3 Teachers

How can commedia dell’arte enhance your curriculum at KS3? This workshop will show you how. You’ll develop confidence to model physical performance and comic characters in the classroom and leave equipped with a toolkit for embedding learnings from commedia into your curriculum.

The techniques we use are accessible and fun. Quick, adaptable exercises will offer you a gateway into slapstick, silent movies, clowning, pantomime, melodrama, Shakespeare, and, of course, commedia dell’arte. You will receive handouts including historical context, character cue cards, and a ready-to-use commedia scheme of work – plus a fresh set of ideas for approaching classic texts and comedy units with creativity and confidence.

The conference takes place at Mayflower Studios in Southampton.

For more information and to book your place, click here:

Cheryl Stapleton
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Commedia Zannizine