Teaching a drama lesson to a large group of students may not be ideal—but it’s often the reality. Classes of 30 students or more are definitely not unusual. So how do you adapt your lesson material so everyone feels seen and the structure stays intact?
Choose the Right Space
Students need to be able to move freely without constantly being limited by the space or by other players. So look for a large multipurpose room, auditorium, or gym.
That said, a space that’s too large has drawbacks as well. It’s hard to keep an overview if students scatter in every direction. In that case, section off part of the room—for example by placing gym benches to create boundaries.
Also think about removing items that can cause distraction, like balls. Especially with a large group, it helps to work in a calm space that supports student focus.
Make sure there’s also a clear “home base” area in the room. For example, set benches along the side where students can sit down again after each activity.
Prepare Thoroughly
If you still have to set up the space, cue up the music, or cut out game cards at the start of the lesson, it creates restlessness. Preparation is always important—but with a large group, it’s essential. Make sure all materials are ready and that you know exactly how you’ll run the lesson.
Think Carefully About Your Lesson Plan
Your lesson has multiple parts: introduction, whole-class warm-up, small-group warm-up, main activity, and closing. When planning these, think about what they mean for a large group.
A warm-up in a circle can work well—but avoid having students take multiple rounds where they perform one by one. Whole-class activities can work great, as long as you keep a clear overview.
You can also choose to have half the group act as the audience on the side with a viewing task. When the second group takes the floor, give them a variation on the first assignment.
Create Larger Working Groups
When choosing activities, think about how many groups you want overall. If you plan a creation task with presentations, it’s not practical to work in pairs—because that means 15 presentations, which demands a lot of concentration from the audience.
Instead, form groups of about 6 to 7 students. You can also be intentional about group composition to increase the chance of success.
Keep the Overview
Teachers often associate drama with large groups with chaos. But it doesn’t have to be chaotic. With a strong lesson structure and clear agreements, a lesson with 30 students can absolutely be a success. In our method, you’ll find hundreds of activities and lessons for both large and small classes.
Do you ever teach drama to a large group of students? And what do you do to make your lesson successful?
