Plays for the Planet: Icon’s New Schools Drama Programme Set to Reach Over 2,000 Children Across Medway
This spring, Icon Theatre is launching Plays for the Planet, a new free schools drama programme set to reach over 2,000 children across 12 Medway primary schools.
Running from February to March 2026, the programme will support Key Stage One and Key Stage Two pupils to explore the theme of the Rainforest through drama, movement, music and character-building, nurturing care and curiosity for the natural world, while supporting curriculum learning.
Plays for the Planet is highly participatory. Pupils explore the Rainforest through theatre games and creative tasks, creating characters and stories together while developing communication, teamwork, problem-solving and confidence.
A Schools Resource Pack is available to accompany the sessions, providing follow-up activities and classroom resources to extend learning back in the classroom.
Building on Icon’s commitment to environmental action through creativity
The programme builds on Icon’s commitment to inspiring environmental action through creativity, following the launch of the company’s new environmental policy in 2025 and the pilot of our community theatre production, The House That Floated Away, which explored the impact of climate change on coastal communities on the Isle of Sheppey in September 2025.
Nancy Hirst, Icon Theatre’s Artistic Director, said:
“Plays for the Planet is a brilliant example of how creativity can help young people connect with the world around them, and with each other. Rooted in Icon’s co-creation ethos, the programme invites pupils to collaborate, imagine and make new work together in their own classrooms. Following the launch of our environmental policy in 2025, this work doubles down on our commitment to inspiring environmental action through creativity. As a Medway-based organisation, we’re proud to be working with Medway primary schools and I would like to thank them for their collaboration.
Workshops will be led by Mariana Pereira and Icon Theatre’s Creative Engagement team.
Find out more and work with us
You can find out more about Plays for the Planet here. Workshops for this term are now fully booked. If your school would like to work with Icon Theatre next year, or you’d like a copy of the Schools Resource Pack, please email bex@icontheatre.org.uk.
