Does anyone have any tips for directing a primay school nativity play?
Answers:
First of all, don't worry too much about it. Everyone will love it anyway.
Instead of having the kids have a lot of lines, have a narrator, with occasional lines. Keep costumes simple - towels, sheets, cardboard wings, etc., but focus on a well lit and well decorated stage and manger.
A method that worked very well at our school was to do the nativity play mostly through Christmas carols and a narrator, with the kids mostly moving about the stage as appropriate. We even kept the movement to a minimum - it can get confusing. So as the play progressed the school choir stood in the background (we used stands similar to bleachers at the back of the stage) and sang the best carol for the different stages and scenes of the play. You will be able to incorporate Away in a Manger, Whose Child is This, We Three Kings, etc.
Best of luck with it. I hope these thoughts help.
dont make the lines too complicated.
be extra positive when the kids do things right.
and expect a couple of things to go wrong on the night
Dont pick the shy boy to play Joseph. lol
Depending on the age of the kids, get them all to write their version of the Christmas story{nativity} and pick the best text to use as narration. Group the children in different parts - angels, shepherds, wise men, main roles, passers by. Try and find a role for everyone. Bring songs and music into it. Good luck.
1. Keep it simple
2. Teach Mary not to bash baby Jesus on the crib
3. Give them all a chance to shine and the parents won't give a damn
4. Have an adult/older narrator so children on stage can follow the story if they forget what they are meant to be doing
5. Don't give the kids too many props.
6. Don't pick the prettiest kid to play Mary
7. Take a large bottle of gin for the after show party, you'll need it.
Good luck and don't forget to let the little darlings enjoy themselves, it's meant to be fun!
Hi. For the past two years I have written, co-directed and co-produced two primary school Christmas plays. They say patience is the key. But the truth is patience won’t help much in real life, will it? Both my plays were great successes, my secret: record the entire thing, music, lines, sound effects, everything, before hand. Have it edited, and have the children rehearse to it. The night of the play they'll be lip-whatever. You know, just pretending. If you want I can send you a video/audio/script sample the plays. (No video available for first).
Good luck.
And remember in the end, the smiles on their faces and their happiness and sense of accomplishment are worth your serious thought of suicide!
KISS! (Keep it short, simple!)
Really, you need to be able to count to 10 lots of times - you will need the patience of a saint, even if you are already teaching them! You also need to have a play where everyone has a role. Make sure all the major parts have a stand-in! Although you say primary school, you do not say if you are talking about 5 year olds or 11 year olds. It is easier for younger ones to speak in groups, with a few acting. By that I mean that there are only a few moving people and the rest are narrating as a group, perhaps dressed up as angels. Or have 3 wise men, 3 shepherds, Mary, Joseph and Angel Gabriel - and don't forget someone to carry the star! - with the rest of the children divided into groups as animals and angels. Then they move round as the bits require it. But years 1 and 2 are not very good at talking on their own - shyness takes over, no matter how brave they are in rehearsals - and year 3 are not a lot better!! They tend to talk very quietly on their own, but can shout as a group!
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
Give parents a lot of warning for costumes - and get the children to bring them in at least 2 days before the play is put on! - and also get the children to make some parts themselves (eg angel wings, the star and so on)
Get the wine ready for when you have finished!
Hope this helps!
Take it slowly and keep your perspective as well as your sense of humour.
Remember, on the day, when all the children are dressed they always have the 'Aah Factor'.
Also, if something does go wrong - the parents love it (especially if the children improvise.)
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