Attention Teachers: Proceed Carefully!
There's no drama here 🤫
We are Children at Play.
It’s all fun and games — and then someone makes a scene ⚠️
Introduction
Imagine a classroom that feels like the schoolyard, and that's it—Children at Play!
Designed to be inclusive and irresistible, these fun-fuelled no-drama sessions are built on a series of fail-safe games, adapting to group dynamics and individual needs to keep every child actively engaged in fearless play from start to finish.
Games and creative challenges exercise cooperation and competition to introduce drama by stealth, building children's capacity for imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, playing for an audience, and improvised performances.
All the while, children learn to embrace failure and take risks, developing essential skills that support their overall learning and social-emotional wellbeing.
CHILD Experience
We love a good game! Until play becomes more than a game to us...
Beginning with schoolyard staples like Granny’s Footsteps, Hot & Cold, Tag, and Keepy Uppy, we play on into what just feels like more fun and games. We get creative with play-acting, making believe, world-building, making up stories, playing out scenes, and performing without even realising it. Along the way, we’re learning to trust, listen, communicate, and collaborate — discovering that creativity and performance are part of the fun, when we’re Children at Play.
As we play, we’re encouraged to bring each other in and lift each other up—making sure everyone feels valued and free to be themselves.
Learning Outcomes
They will learn to fail fearlessly and take risks, exercise their imaginations, and develop essential skills in teamwork, storytelling, and communication. This supports their overall learning and social-emotional wellbeing, ensuring every child feels included, valued, and free to express themselves.
Facilitator Bio
Darren Yorke is a Dublin-based artist-facilitator originally from Longford. He spent his youth working closely with family at Kids Paradise Creche & Montessori and was set on becoming a primary school teacher—until his youth theatre experience inspired a career in the arts. Today, he combines his passions to design and deliver creative programmes like Children at Play and Play-by-Players in educational settings. His credentials include:
- Award-winning maker and performer of ‘innovative’ theatre for young audiences (incl. Boss Rob)
- Arts Council-funded Artist-in-Residence in Education at Marino Institute of Education (2022-25)
- Playmaker behind Grand Stretch®, specialising in Impro Theatre and game-based arts participation as Ireland’s leading member of the International TheatreSports™ Institute (since 2017)
- Education & Outreach Coordinator and cast member at The Improv Centre (2014-2016)
- BA Drama & Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin (2009-2013)
Testimonials
Our Mission
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Our Mission
At Grand Stretch, our mission is to provide the latest news, reviews, and insights into the world of arts and entertainment. We strive to bring you the most comprehensive information on everything from music and movies to theater and visual arts.
Our Team
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Our team of experienced writers and editors are passionate about the arts and entertainment industry. We work tirelessly to ensure that our content is accurate, informative, and engaging.
Our Partners
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Our Partners
We have partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, including major film studios, record labels, and theater companies. These partnerships allow us to bring you exclusive content and access to the latest releases.
Our Partners
Our Partners
Our Partners
We have partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, including major film studios, record labels, and theater companies. These partnerships allow us to bring you exclusive content and access to the latest releases.
a few considerations
Format
Up to 6 workshops per group — each session 45–90 mins depending on the group (recommended 60 mins).
PLEASE NOTE: Once-off workshops are a valuable option and also serve well as tasters.
Schools can later decide to extend to a series of up to 6 workshops with their group(s).
Groups
Suitable for all age groups. Each session is for one class only — ideally no more than 20 children per group; larger groups should be split over two or more sessions where possible.
Space
School hall or cleared classroom area — sessions are adaptable, but work best with space for a wide-spread standing circle with minimal distractions.
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