About Drama.Focus

Drama.Focus Arts Consulting Group is dedicated to promoting high-quality arts education experiences. We work in four main areas:
education support services and resource development, in partnership with teachers, school boards, arts institutions and others;
agency services, such as conference registration for major service organizations;
publication of award-winning plays, resources and support documents;
consultation to meet a variety of needs, including websites, strategic and organizational planning.

Drama.Focus Arts Consulting Group is unique in Ontario and is positioned to provide effective, high-quality programs for a variety of clients.

Mission:

To support teachers in their work to make a difference, by creating and distributing top-quality drama/dance resources.

Vision:

A world in which children and young people have positive relationships, supported by the arts.

Values:

Quality. Children, young people and adults deserve the highest-quality learning materials, based on best practices, current research and curricula.
Affordable support: Educators and organizations need affordable support from resource-providers.
Collaboration. We want to work with like-minded partners whenever possible.
Inclusivity. All educators and their students should see themselves reflected in our resources and services.

Goals:

1. To develop educational resources which are relevant to teachers and students.
2. To use best practices and current educational research to guide the creation of resources and services.
3. To provide resources and services at an affordable price.
4. To collaborate with a variety of partners.

Drama.Focus Arts Consulting Group is owned and operated by Ron Dodson, a highly-experienced educator and administrator who understands the need for creative partnerships with school boards, the professional community and the private sector. His 32 years of teaching and administrative knowledge of the Ontario educational system have convinced him of the need for the kind of services DRAMA.FOCUS offers. The company is based in Stratford, Ontario, and has links to all parts of the province, Canada and the international arts world. DRAMA.FOCUS has grown steadily since it was founded in 1998.

RON DODSON

Educator, consultant, project leader, workshop leader, administrator
Editor, "Arts at the Heart" and all Drama.Focus publications
Recently retired from 32 years of Dramatic Arts (and Visual Art & Music) teaching experience
Former Curriculum Co-ordinator, Secondary
Adjudicator, SEARS Drama Festival
Brock University (part time), Faculty of Education, 2006 – present
Awards: Theatre/Théâtre Canada Award of Appreciation, 2004; OSSTF "Excellence in Education" Award, 2003; "Dramatic Arts Consultants Association" Award, 1996
Co-author, "A Handbook for Program Planning in Dramatic Arts"
Former President, Theatre/Théâtre Canada and C.O.D.E. (Council of Ontario Drama & Dance Educators)

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Publication and distribution of a wide variety of teacher resources, including ...

"Arts At The Heart: A Practical Guide to Dance and Drama in Elementary Schools" (2009). Keyed to the 2009 Elementary Ontario Arts Curriculum, it helps teachers understand the new Arts Curriculum, with two large sections on Drama and Dance, and an essay on arts teaching by world-renowned expert Dorothy Heathcote. It shows teachers how the new curriculum relates to Ministry of Education initiatives and research, and helps teachers plan their divisional and grade programs with more emphasis on best practices and the "big picture". Order it here.

"The Monster Responsible". A script by Richard Turtle, written in ten, ten minute segments. Work with your class to produce a few or all of them! Order it here.

IN DEVELOPMENT

"The Intuitive Teacher" (working title). A new book by well-known arts teacher Michael Wilson, who inquires about how teacher priorities, student creativity and the school system intersect. Coming in the fall, 2011.
More play scripts for elementary (Junior and Intermediate divisions) and Secondary students.
And....
A DVD to help teachers learn basic DANCE forms!!

Check back often for more information, or contact us at email address found at the bottom of this page.