Spotlight: Bringing the Magic of the Arts into the Classroom with SRT’s Resident Teaching Artist Rachel Nip

Where Storytelling Meets the Classroom Through SRT's Wolf Trap Programme 

Step into one of Rachel Nip’s classrooms, and you’ll find a world where creativity flows freely and every voice matters. As SRT’s Resident Teaching Artist, Rachel brings her background in drama, storytelling, and arts education to children and educators alike – including those from neurodiverse, Deaf, and disabled communities. Our chat with her dives into what inspires her work, the heart of the Wolf Trap programme, and the transformative moments that remind her why the arts matter. 

1. What made you say “yes” to becoming a Resident Teaching Artist with SRT — and what keeps you excited with the work that you do? 

It was a very natural journey to transition from a freelancer to becoming SRT’s Resident Teaching Artist as I had developed much of my teaching practice through SRT, being trained in Drama and Autism with Joe England, the Wolf Trap pedagogy and Accelerate Access. I love sharing the joy of theatre with children, youths and adults, especially working with those from the neurodiverse, d/Deaf and disabled communities- they excite me with their spontaneity, humour, collaboration, and creativity. 

2. For those new to it, how would you describe the Wolf Trap programme — and the kind of magic you get to bring to the room? 

The Wolf Trap programme is unique in how teaching artists do develop a customized professional development programme with classroom teachers. Wolf Trap trained teaching artists impart their skills from various artistic disciplines in theatre, dance, puppetry and music to teachers and coach educators to incorporate these creative practices into curriculum to make it engaging and fun for them and the children. Teaching artists also teach methods and tools of classroom management using drama, music and movement to help teachers learn to safely facilitate artful and engaging learning experiences for their students.  

I’d like to think of myself and the teachers as co-captains in the classroom, facilitating an imaginative, fun and educational experience for the children in their classes. The magic is in all the moments you see the teacher courageously stepping out of their comfort zones and the joy they experience when they try out innovative techniques and make it their own. I feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the residency knowing the teachers now have new tools in their journeys as educators. 

3. You’ve seen theatre, movement, and storytelling in action. Can you share a “wow” moment when a child lit up with discovery? 

I like to do an activity in which every person in the circle says their name and contributes a movement and the group copies and repeats their name and movement back to them.  

For some children, putting the spotlight on them can make them nervous and their bodies would naturally react to this feeling. I would invite the group to observe carefully and repeat that movement. Often, these children are surprised and find it delightful to see the group repeat that movement based on how they naturally stand, gesture or move. It is this acknowledgement and acceptance that starts to create a safe space for everyone and invites them to come as they are. 

4. What do you love most about creating stories and characters with your students? 

I am always in awe of the imagination of my students and SRT’s devising process means I never know what kind of characters and stories they will come up with. I enjoy that process of co-creation and am inspired by their enthusiasm to imagine different characters and stories with me. I look forward to every opportunity to create and evoke a whole spectrum of emotions- joy, fear, anger, sadness, surprise- on stage with them.

5. At the end of the day, what do you hope kids — and their teachers — carry with them after a Wolf Trap adventure? 

The arts allow for so many possibilities, and I hope that for both the teachers and the kids that they realize there is no right or wrong way to express your creativity. In a world where we are often judged or told how to do things, the arts celebrate mistakes and failures. All you’ve got to do is to try, experiment and discover. Keep finding the joy in that process. 

From imagination to discovery, find out more about how the Wolf Trap programme continues to shape classrooms with creativity and connection here.