|
Sam's work hopes to empower and spark people's creativity, whether through her drama teaching, teaching resources, teacher training, or fiction. Sam is the author of 100 Acting Exercises for 8-18 Year Olds (Bloomsbury Academic/Methuen Drama), Acting Games for Improv, Drama Games for Early Years (4 - 7 Years), Acting Exercises for Creative Writing, and Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health (Morpho Press). Sam is represented by Anna Dixon at YMU. Her first novel Under Glass went viral on Wattpad. Shortly after it was optioned for film and TV by former Warner Bros. President of Film Greg Silverman at Stampede Ventures. Sam went to The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and then went on to study for a BA/BS degree in International Development Studies and Sociology where she was awarded a first-class honours degree and the David Weeks memorial prize. She's taught drama full-time for many years in many different settings, and now teaches a little alongside her writing. Sam also writes for The Stage newspaper, Spotlight, and Teach Primary. |
|
Stay in touch
Join my newsletter to get occasional writing tips, news and the latest on my projects. |
|
“The art of improvisation starts with the attitude of ‘yes’; choosing to never block an idea or thought but to act on your nerve and instinct. I think everyone should ‘say yes’ to this important addition to Sam’s excellent collection of work.”
Paul Roseby, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre, on Acting Games for Improv.
“This is a great guide to teaching improvisation. It offers a nice variety of different ways to stimulate players of all ages to find more freedom, creative expression and joy through play.”
Chris Heimann, Improvisation, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, on Acting Games for Improv.
“Sam Marsden’s books are absolutely essential for both primary teachers and drama specialists. Filled with easy-to-follow, engaging activities, they inspire my teaching practice daily, from Early Years right through to my senior school drama club. In today’s world, where teaching young people strategies for mental health is crucial, this book offers invaluable tools to support their emotional well-being through drama. If you teach drama in any capacity, Sam’s books are the ultimate resource you didn’t know you needed—but won’t want to plan without!”
Natalie Burgess, Drama Specialist & Primary Teacher, St Columba’s Junior School, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“Sam’s sparkling book of drama techniques brings mindfulness center-stage! Each clever activity incorporates the arts to connect students with their inner selves and each other in the most empowering, dynamic, and playful of ways!”
Eric Friedman, Director of Education Operations and Outreach, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“The connection between mental health, well being and drama cannot be underestimated. Sam Marsden has managed to capture this in her most recent book. The exercises are easy to follow, offer a sense of safety, set clear boundaries and are inclusive. Any practitioner, teacher or therapist will find the book an excellent reference point when planning their work.”
John Johnson, Drama and Theatre Magazine, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“Drama games are essential for any young child’s development, encouraging expressive language, stretching imaginations, building confidence and having fun! In this book you will find many games that will allow children to consider alternative perspectives, encourage them to listen to their peers and help them become more motivated to communicate their own ideas.”
Polly Simmonds, Head of Creative Learning, Polka Theatre, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“Anyone working with young children will find this book invaluable.”
Peter Higgin, Artistic Director, Punchdrunk Enrichment, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“This fantastic and diverse collection of games is the perfect toolkit for educators to introduce young performers to the magic of theatre and inspire them to unleash their creativity!”
Yale Children’s Theater, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“Sam Marsden brings the art of story-telling to life with her accessible, engaging and fun approach to creative writing. Sam Marsden’s work is approachable, open, inclusive, caring and creative.”
Glyn Trefor-Jones, author of the Drama Menu book series, on Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
“Fact: drama in the classroom enhances students’ creative writing. But what if using drama is out of your comfort zone? These easy-to-follow exercises can be applied to any topic and will support you in developing children’s imaginations.”
Lucy Cuthbertson, Director of Education, Shakespeare’s Globe, Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
“This fun guide is a must-have for teachers who want to inspire their students through interactive games that secretly teach important communication skills!”
Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author and writing coach, Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
Paul Roseby, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre, on Acting Games for Improv.
“This is a great guide to teaching improvisation. It offers a nice variety of different ways to stimulate players of all ages to find more freedom, creative expression and joy through play.”
Chris Heimann, Improvisation, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, on Acting Games for Improv.
“Sam Marsden’s books are absolutely essential for both primary teachers and drama specialists. Filled with easy-to-follow, engaging activities, they inspire my teaching practice daily, from Early Years right through to my senior school drama club. In today’s world, where teaching young people strategies for mental health is crucial, this book offers invaluable tools to support their emotional well-being through drama. If you teach drama in any capacity, Sam’s books are the ultimate resource you didn’t know you needed—but won’t want to plan without!”
Natalie Burgess, Drama Specialist & Primary Teacher, St Columba’s Junior School, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“Sam’s sparkling book of drama techniques brings mindfulness center-stage! Each clever activity incorporates the arts to connect students with their inner selves and each other in the most empowering, dynamic, and playful of ways!”
Eric Friedman, Director of Education Operations and Outreach, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“The connection between mental health, well being and drama cannot be underestimated. Sam Marsden has managed to capture this in her most recent book. The exercises are easy to follow, offer a sense of safety, set clear boundaries and are inclusive. Any practitioner, teacher or therapist will find the book an excellent reference point when planning their work.”
John Johnson, Drama and Theatre Magazine, on Drama Games for Mindfulness and Emotional Health.
“Drama games are essential for any young child’s development, encouraging expressive language, stretching imaginations, building confidence and having fun! In this book you will find many games that will allow children to consider alternative perspectives, encourage them to listen to their peers and help them become more motivated to communicate their own ideas.”
Polly Simmonds, Head of Creative Learning, Polka Theatre, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“Anyone working with young children will find this book invaluable.”
Peter Higgin, Artistic Director, Punchdrunk Enrichment, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“This fantastic and diverse collection of games is the perfect toolkit for educators to introduce young performers to the magic of theatre and inspire them to unleash their creativity!”
Yale Children’s Theater, on Drama Games for Early Years.
“Sam Marsden brings the art of story-telling to life with her accessible, engaging and fun approach to creative writing. Sam Marsden’s work is approachable, open, inclusive, caring and creative.”
Glyn Trefor-Jones, author of the Drama Menu book series, on Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
“Fact: drama in the classroom enhances students’ creative writing. But what if using drama is out of your comfort zone? These easy-to-follow exercises can be applied to any topic and will support you in developing children’s imaginations.”
Lucy Cuthbertson, Director of Education, Shakespeare’s Globe, Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
“This fun guide is a must-have for teachers who want to inspire their students through interactive games that secretly teach important communication skills!”
Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author and writing coach, Acting Exercises for Creative Writing.
|
Teacher Training Courses
Here are Sam's up and coming online and in person training courses. For bespoke courses please get in touch. |
|
|