Power of Play
Each One Teach One: Power of Play is a high-energy, interactive workshop that uses movement, theater games, and structured competition to help K–8 students build real-time social-emotional skills. Through familiar, inclusive games like Musical Chairs, Four Corners, and Capture the Flag, students explore what it means to win with humility, lose with integrity, and feel their feelings without hurting themselves or others.
Led by comedian, writer, and teaching artist Rob Santos, this workshop blends elements of theater arts, improv, and SEL best practices. Students take on active roles—choosing games, leading teams, setting up, and taking down activities—while engaging in reflection and emotional check-ins designed to help them notice, name, and navigate their feelings. The workshop fosters leadership, collaboration, and self-awareness through joyful, intentional movement.
While rooted in SEL, the workshop also introduces tools drawn from theater-based teaching and reflective practices inspired by DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), such as Coping Ahead and Radical Acceptance. These tools help students prepare for challenging emotions, regulate responses, and build confidence through embodied learning.
In this program, students will:
- Participate in team-based movement games
- Practice mindfulness before, during, and after competition
- Reflect on emotional experiences in real time
- Collaborate with peers to co-create a safe play environment
- Take leadership roles in setup, gameplay, and closure
In this program, participants will learn:
- How to identify and regulate emotions during play
- How to support peers with empathy and encouragement
- How to manage winning and losing with emotional maturity
- How to make responsible choices through collaboration and guided freedom
- How to find joy and connection through structured competition
Audience Limit: 25
Curriculum Connection: Social and Emotional Learning, Play-Based Learning, Mental Health and Wellness
Minimum of 2 workshops per day
2 Workshops: $550
Additional or Post Performance Workshops: $220
Residency Workshops: $175-275
Planning fee based upon scope of residency.
Travel: $150 per day
Pricing may vary for weekends/out-of-school time
Processing Fee of $45 added to all contracts
Provisions:
- Enough space to play
- Venue is encouraged to connect with the artist and provide what is on hand such as hula hoops, chairs, cones, etc.
Arrival time before first workshops or program date: 15 minutes
Strike time: 15 minutes
Time needed between workshops: 10 minutes
Please send a liaison from the school to greet the artist and guide them to the workshop space.
A teacher or school representative in the room to support artist, model being an active participant, and address student needs.
Please introduce the artist(s) as an Arts for Learning Massachusetts teaching artist.
