Theatre-in-education
Theatre-in-education, sometimes referred to as TIE, starts with an issue or a debate and uses drama to explore it. Sometimes productions are linked to specific curriculum areas and sometimes they are connected to more general whole world issues. Sometimes TIE involves touring shows into schools and other settings, usually those thought to have educational value, like Shakespeare or other famous contemporary works.
It is common for workshops and other interactive activities to follow a TIE show. The performers are often trained as facilitators and will lead sessions with the young people in the audience.
Most TIE work is toured to schools and other centres for young people, but a few companies have their own theatres, including Greater Manchester’s M6 Theatre.
TIE is a useful starting point for actors as well as for other theatre professionals. The cast and crew is generally very small and therefore everyone is expected to pitch in with all aspects, including driving, loading, get ins/ outs, etc.
Related to TIE is children’s and young people’s theatre. This differs in that it is not necessarily issues-led and is more likely to be seen in a theatre or arts centre than an educational setting.
Some theatre-in-education organisations
“One day I could be pretending to be a Tudor director, and the next I could be delivering a substance abuse workshop to secondary school children”
Bob Christer, 24, artist/ administrator, Speakeasy Theatre Company
“I started straight after university as a drama worker”
Dan Morgan, 26, assistant company director, C&T Theatre
