Student Worksheet

The Theatre Box - Activity Instructions

Build your own theatre using tools from around your house. Easy and fun to create, you can use this to put on a play for your parents/caregivers and bring your favourite characters to life!

Theatre is a great way to connect with your inner self and to bring out your most creative ideas onto the stage. It can promote confidence and an ‘out of the box’ perspective.

Safety advice: This activity includes using a sharp object like a knife, or a pair of scissors. Beware of sharp edges! Get your parent/caregiver to help you cut the box. Try to use non-toxic paint and craft glue.

Part A: Preparing The Box

Step 1.

Set up an area for painting by putting the drop sheet/plastic sheet or newspaper down underneath. Make sure you are wearing old clothes! Put some water in your container.

Step 2.

Get your parent/caregiver to assist you to start cutting into your box. Cut out a big rectangle on the side of the box that will make your stage. You can also cut some of the top and bottom of the box off to make the box more comfortable to use.

Step 3.

If you have used a box similar to the one pictured, it will be hard to paint over the outside of the box because it is shiny. Glue some paper to the outside of the box on the front if you need to.

Step 4.

Paint a white base onto the cardboard and leave it to dry.

Part B: Painting The Box

Step 1.

Choose a theme for your box and collect some objects that represent that theme. The example pictured has an Australian nature theme and so gum leaves and other assorted pieces were collected from trees and nature.

Step 2.

Paint over the white base coat with your background colour. Leave to dry.

Step 3.

Glue your themed objects onto the box to give it that extra special theatrical feel.

Part C: Make Some Puppets

Step 1.

Draw outlines of people or animals onto cardboard, putting room in for a stick length above so that you can put your puppet into the theatre.

Step 2.

Cut them out using assistance from a parent or caregiver, and paint them.

Taking It Further

Take a look at our activity on making sock puppets for other ideas of how to use the theatre. Write your own play, perform and take a video to post for your friends to see.

Writing your own play - starting out!

Who - Who is in your play?
Where - Where is your play set?
What - What are they trying to achieve in the play? What is the climax of the story?
How - How will your main characters complete their journey through the story? Will there be a sequel?

The Theatre Box (home learning)

Summary

Activity Guides and Printables

Activity Details

Curriculum Mapping

Additional Info

The Theatre Box (home learning)

Summary

Activity Guides and Printables

Activity Details

Curriculum Mapping

Additional Info