Teacher Resource — Emma Tompkins

Hello and welcome!

If you are finding this page after watching the National Theatre’s Drama Teacher Conference video, meeting me at the Music and Drama Expo or you are a drama teacher looking to help a student interested in design, then welcome! ! will be turning this page into a resource hub, developing my talk into some downloadable resources and updating you about the book of set design exercises I’m currently writing with Nick Hern. So watch this space.

If you’d like to be the first to hear about what I’m up to, what resources I’ve created or what great design links I’ve discovered please sign up to my mailing list. I will send out monthly updates with all the best links and tips I’ve found from over a decade in the industry.

Thank you so much for signing up to my mailing list!

It will be a little quiet for the immediate future as I develop my plans but I’m really keen to hear from you if there’s anything you’d like to see in the content.

Feel free to email your thoughts or questions to tompkinstompkins@gmail.com. I love speaking to drama teachers and educators and my resource page and mailing list will be for you, so get in touch!

In the mean time, here are some of my top tips:

PTFE Pads - These are small bits of Teflon rubber that are usually used for the bottom of furniture to protect floors. They are often called ‘sliders’ because it means you can move objects smoothly. The rubber also means that when an object is stationary the weight keeps it still and secure. This means if you have blocks or things on stage that need moving you don’t need awkward castors with breaks! Attaching these to the bottom means objects can be pushed and will glide (providing the floor is smooth enough) and also stay stable if they are stood on. This was a game changer when I discovered them!
Covent Garden Primer. This is an industry standard water based priming liquid that was developed for the Royal Opera House. It is used to coat anything plastic or non porous (like vac form sheets, or dance floor) as a primer or when added to paint. You can buy it at Flints.
Flints & 4D Model Shop. These are the two industry shops specialising in all things technical and design. Flints is a theatrical chandler which means it will sell everything from rigging materials to glitter. If you are ever unsure how to achieve something, the sales team are all industry professionals who know their way around a tech store so always ring and they will always do their best to instruct you. 4D is the home of the model making materials used in set design, puppetry and special effects. They have a website and a shop in London that serves designers and makers UK wide! 4d Is also staffed by professional makers they have a wealth of experience and even do laser cutting.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks with the future mailout.

Keep designing!

Emma

Teaching Resources

Hello and welcome!