Teaching Drama Online

Free Tools & Resources for Distance Learning

As schools and theatre programs deal with closures due to COVID-19, we thought it would be useful to begin compiling a list of online resources to help keep your drama programs running. This list has been curated by the Beat by Beat Team. 

For even more distance learning content, check out Teaching Theatre Online, a 182-page eBook with step-by-step lesson plans for your virtual camps and classes.

Remote Drama Activities

Virtual Monologues (15 Free Monologues)

Family Fairy Tales

Digital Talent Show

Dance Tutorial for “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman

4 Ways to Brush Up Your Improv at Home

Theatre Video Content

Digital Theatre Plus
Watch full plays and musicals, masterclasses, lesson toolkits…

American Theatre Wing (YouTube Channel)
Performances and interviews featuring Broadway’s top talent.

Storytime Online
World’s best storytellers reading children’s stories aloud.

On the Boards
Contemporary performance films free through April.

Musical Madness

Virtual Children’s Musicals

THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE: A Virtual Children’s Musical is now available!

SUPER HAPPY AWESOME NEWS! A Virtual Children’s Musical

COULD YOU HUG A CACTUS! A Hybrid Musical

The Show Must Go Online: Update & FAQ

The Show Must Go Online: Song Preview

Introducing…The Show Must Go Online!

Theatre Podcasts

Let’s Make a Musical
Beat by Beat’s 27-episode podcast that documents the creation of Press Start!

The Hamilcast
Exploration of the groundbreaking show.

Variety’s Stagecraft
Interviews with actors and other theater professionals about their Broadway and off-Broadway endeavors.

American Theatre Wing – Downstage Center
Although no longer updated, contains an incredible archive of high-quality interviews with theatre creators.

The Producer’s Perspective Podcast
Interviews with onstage and behind the scenes Broadway talent by Ken Davenport.

Technical Theatre Resources

11 Dramatic Virtual Tours of Theaters Around the World

Intro to Set Design (YouTube 50 Minutes)
Covers the basics of stage spaces, the set design process, elements and principles of design, with an activity at the end.

Introducing Teaching Theatre Online, a new resource with step-by-step lesson plans and over 250 distance learning activities.