Book a Professional Development or Team-building Workshop that's tailored to your specific group's needs OR choose one of the tried and true workshops listed below. We'll make sure everyone has a productive, informative, and most of all FUN time! My approach is low-risk, and all workshops feature lots of interactive and creative thinking time and discussion. Participants will explore and challenge their current ideas and ways of thinking, as well as experience and try out new and alternative ways to approach the topic being covered.


Workshops Designed to increase Staff Production Levels, Cohesiveness and more, at the School or Corporate Level:

Communication Professional Development:
In this training, participants will engage in role playing, improvisational activities and games designed to encourage conversation about, and new ways of looking at, how we communicate with each other, customers, students, etc. This is a fun and engaging workshop designed to get people out of their comfort zones, but in a safe and friendly way, so that a deeper discussion can develop among colleagues. Participants will also explore team building techniques that are silly, and fun, but promote collaboration. No previous theatre experience is required to participate.
 
Mindfulness Through Theatre Training:
Mindfulness is something we all aspire to, and theatre is a wonderful method to help us get there. Actors rely on mindfulness to help them to connect with their character and with others in a scene. Through drama and improvisation techniques, we will practice letting outside influences and worries fall away as we work to connect with ourselves and each other on a deeper, more immediate level. We will work and play in the moment, and participants will leave with some concrete tools they can apply outside of the workshop to help them practice mindfulness in their daily lives. This workshop is designed for both seasoned performers and those looking for a new approach to mindfulness practice.
 
The Power of Improv-Stress Reliever, Communication Facilitator, and Just Plain Fun!
Did you know that improvisation isn't just for entertainment? People who study improvisation train their minds to think more quickly and creatively in a variety of situations. They work better as a team, and greatly improve their problem-solving skills. In this workshop, participants will learn and practice improvisation activities and techniques that will help to improve expressive language skills as well as promote faster thinking and decrease stress. Research has shown that learning improv can help to “retrain” the brain to actively listen, communicate more effectively, be more open to ideas, and work collaboratively. Plus, because improv is a lot of fun, it is a great stress reliever as well. Participants should come dressed to move, and leave inhibitions and worries at the door. This is a low-risk, but participatory workshop. No previous theatre experience is required to participate.
 
Teambuilding through Improv and Theatre Games: Looking for a new and exciting way for your team to work on camaraderie and collaboration? Try a teambuilding workshop with Drama Out of the Box! Through the use of improv and theatre games and activities, we'll support and learn more about each other, while laughing up a storm. Often times, as adults, we forget how freeing play can be and the strengthening it can do for relationships, problem solving skills, and general mental health. Office and team leaders are often faced with trying to find common ground for their staff and a way that they can practice teamwork and bond without shelling out hundreds of dollars for food, drink, or even the activity itself. Booking a low-cost teambuilding workshop with Drama Out of the Box guarantees your staff a ton of fun, while also building real life skills that can be applied long after the workshop is over! No previous theatre experience is required to participate.


Workshops Specifically Designed for Teachers:
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Racial Diversity and Addressing Micro-Aggressions in the Classroom:
This workshop focuses on leveling the playing field in the classroom for students, through the use of theatre techniques and tricks. There are two time alternatives for this workshop as it covers a lot of ground and sensitive material.The main difference between the 90 minute and the 3.5 hour workshop is that the longer time frame gives us the time to delve much deeper into challenges and preconceived ideas that might be currently standing in the way of our empowering all students. The 3.5 hour workshop will also include a piece on the positive power of racial identity for students, and participants will discover ways to not just accept, but celebrate color and diversity in the classroom. Both workshops feature lots of interactive and creative thinking time and discussion, rather than a lecture set-up, as that is the way I prefer to teach. Participants will explore and challenge their current ideas and ways of thinking, as well as experience and try out new and alternative ways to help students access curriculum and demonstrate their understanding. The theory behind this method is that if students feel comfortable demonstrating their understanding of a subject in a way that meets them where they are at, they will feel empowered to further their own learning and also feel that they understand the concept enough to comfortably be tested on it in the classroom in the traditional fashion.  No previous theatre experience is required to participate.


Thinking Outside the Box: Fostering Creativity in the Classroom Through Theatre Tips and Tricks.Looking for a way to reach those students who are struggling to access curriculum and assessments? Want to help spark some creative thinking and problem solving in your classroom? Wondering how to continue to build and foster teambuilding and collaborative learning with your students in a fun and engaging way? Theatre isn’t just for the outspoken, dramatic kids in your class. In this workshop, we will practice ways to use theatre to help your shyest, quietest, and struggling learners to express themselves, and demonstrate their learning in a new and interesting way. In addition, we will participate in some improv activities designed to promote collaboration and ignite new ideas and perspectives. A fun and engaging participatory workshop for teachers of all levels. No previous theatre training is required, just a willingness to take a risk and try something new!

"Improv to learn about your communication styles and those of your coworkers? YES, AND...!
Meredith was a pro. Her specially designed improv workshop led staff to a deeper understanding of their own communication styles, as well as the communication styles of their colleagues. Highly recommended!"
​-Rebecca M. (Woburn Public Library)

​"Bringing in Meredith Charles to facilitate a training workshop with my staff was a great idea!  Her approach to helping them take risks and get out of their comfort zones is brilliant.  The staff had fun, laughed, learned, and collaborated.  We met our goal of sharing common problems and discussing effective strategies in a relaxed and productive environment.  Staff want Meredith for an encore!"
-Reina R. (Coordinator of Extended Learning & Enrichment
Nashoba Regional School District)
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"Meredith was a wonderful addition to our annual staff retreat! Although people were apprehensive at first about “doing improv,” Meredith made us feel at ease and had us all belly laughing by the end. Her workshop was a great teambuilding exercise and we all wished that she could stay longer. I will definitely bring her back to work with my team again! "
-Sherri A. (Assistant VP of Student Financial Services at Brandeis University)