This session explores the value of bringing international plays, their characters and stories to British classrooms, stages and bookshops. We will discuss the interconnections between teaching, professional theatre and publishing practices, and ask how each field can support the others in bringing more cultural and linguistic diversity centre stage to benefit young people from all backgrounds.

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the importance of exposing young people from all backgrounds to cultural and linguistic diversity through contemporary international plays. We will discuss examples drawn from teaching international drama from South Africa, Ukraine, Taiwan, Germany and Italy in highly diverse and multilingual schools. We will evaluate the impact international plays can have on EALs and pupils who speak different languages at home by inviting testimonies from teachers and workshop facilitators. We will ask how the curriculum can be enhanced for all pupils by international plays, what the current barriers may be to including more, and how we can work together to overcome these barriers. Organised by Performing International Plays in collaboration with Foreign Affairs.

– Understand the value of contemporary international plays for young people

– Consider new ways of diversifying the curriculum

– Explore how Drama educators can collaborate with professional theatre and publishers to remove barriers for international plays