A drama party is best suited to the slightly older child (say 9-14 years), as young children easily loose the plot (excuse the pun). Girls tend to enjoy the party more but then it all depends on the script....
I as a child loved putting on shows with my sisters and brother (even if i was always made to be a dog or a tree!) and performing in front of my parents and their friends. My daughter Ellie too loved performing when she was younger and still does.
I know this sort of party theme is not for everyone but it'll let you judge wether you think a drama party would work for your child's birthday party.
The idea of a drama party is that the kids prepare and put on a show and invite their family to the premier. The majority of the party time is taken with the kids doing the following :
Preparing their lines
Rehearsing their parts
Sorting out costumes and
Setting the stage.
Arrange a set time for their family to come and then the kids can perform their drama party show.
OK so let's get going as it's nearly show time.....
Choosing the play is perhaps the hardest bit. A lot depends on time, number of kids and what sort of personalities they have.
You could go for something simple and familiar such as "Little Red Riding Hood" or perhaps they could enact a scene from "Glee" or they could just make something up or each perform small acts or skits.
If you are choosing the play, it might be wise to let them know in advance what it is and what their roles might be so they can plan and practice. However don't make it too complicated and don't make it sound stressful. This is meant to be FUN!
Or how about this down-loadable drama party package (my favorite) that has everything that you will need......This "party-play" takes very little space and the kids do ALL THE WORK!! What more could you want! And they have a great time making it happen. For 10 children- all scripts (really the action- they write their own lines so they can remember them), prop directions (minimal) included- you just set up the stage and play "Director"!
Drama Party Theme Invitations
You could either send the individual role scripts with the party invitations or the kids could decide at the party on who plays what. Use your discretion here.
Your drama party invitations could go something like this:
It's show time!
And you have been selected as one of the stars of the show
Starring in her X (age) birthday premier,
X (party host) invites you to a spectacle of fun and laughter
Meet at the theater: (address)
Opening Night:
Time:
Make the drama party invitations look like theater tickets and place in red envelopes
Fold the invitations into a fan shape and tie the bottom with a tasselled cord so that they resemble a fan.
Make theater curtains. Using colored craft paper, cut out a rectangular shape. With the widest edges of the paper lying horizontally, fold the shorter edges into the middle so they resemble a pair of curtains. Glue gold braiding along the lower edge of the curtains. Write the party information on the inside using a gold marker pen. Also place inside some homemade tickets for the guests to give to their family
Red carpet. Cut long strips of red craft paper and write on the drama party details. Roll up and tie with gold braiding.
Drama Party Theme Costumes
Well the world is your oyster here.
Scour second-hand shops and thrift stores for drama party clothes. Accessories such as scarves, hats and jewelry can go a long way in jazzing up a simple outfit. Ask grandma if she has any old classical outfits and search the backs of your wardrobes – you will be amazed what you can find.
Lay a red carpet off-cut or a length of red material up the steps to your front door.
Place a child's easel at your house entrance with the details of the play. Even better, blow up photos of the "stars" to pin on the wall.
Create a stars walk of fame. Cut out large stars from yellow craft paper and scotch tape to the floor. As the kids arrive, get them to sign their autograph on a star.
Put up entrance and exit signs in the party room and silhouetted figures on the bathroom door. Place long length curtains at the entrance to the theater room.
If possible, use two rooms. One for the dressing room and one as the theater. Put makeup tables in the dressing room along with clothes rails and long mirrors. Clear furniture from the theater room and set up rows of chairs. Hang long curtains along the back wall where the stage will be.
Most people won't have a stage in the attic! So just chalk off the area and maybe lay some colored fairy lights round the edge. Only put the lights down at the last minute when the performance is about to start.
Every stage needs lights so grab all those spot lights and torches that are hanging around the house and suspend them in corners of the room. Place colored fireproof cellophane on some lights for a more dramatic effect.
Set up a directors chair and make a clapper board. Make sure that you have printed enough scripts for each child – it's too complicated to share!
Get your camera ready and even more fun would be to have a camcorder set up on a tripod. All budding actors and actresses like to see themselves on screen.
Mini crackers topped with their favorite fillings.
Mini pizzas and small canapes
Make a cake in the shape of a clapper board. Prepare one square cake using a packet cake mix or my all-in-one cake recipe. When cooled, cut off the top fifth and arrange the two pieces on a cake board to resemble an open clapper board. Cover with black frosting and then in white frosting, write "Take X" (age of party child) plus their name.
To be honest you may find that all your budding acting stars are so busy getting ready for the show that you won't have time to do much else. However it is always a good idea to have some alternative drama party activities prepared.
Makeover This can be part of their makeup preparations. Have lots of makeup, face paints and hair accessories at the ready and enlist the help of a willing parent.
Scene artist Buy rolls of cheap wall lining paper and get the kids to paint and decorate the set. Blue Tak it to the wall or if you are a dab hand at DIY, make a large wooden frame and staple the painted set to it.
Awards ceremony At the end of the show, present trophies or small glass ornaments to all the stars. Present the awards for specific achievements in their individual roles rather than as 'Best actress' etc as that might upset some kids.
Walk of Fame Using the stars that the kids autographed when they arrived, place them around the room at random. The kids have to dance to some music and when the music stops, you shout out a stars name. The kids all have to rush to the star and the last one there is out of the game.
Glitzy Shades Buy cheap but glamorous looking sunglasses – one for each guest. Let the kids decorate them using glitter glue, puffy paints and rhinestones.
Guess the Movie Play segments of popular songs from famous movies and get the kids to guess the movie. Give points for the correct movie and extra points for naming the song title. Play in teams as it is more fun and easier for the kids.
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