#ifiwere
Ever imagined yourself at the centre of your favourite drama?
Have you ever imagined what it would be like if you were a character in your favourite play, or wanted to re-set your favourite performance in your own world?
We’re giving you the opportunity to do just that along with the chance to win some amazing prizes!
Our #IfIWere competition is turning the tables on well-loved plays and performances, from the classic to the contemporary, inviting pupils, teachers and representatives from the education and theatre world to reimagine the story, characters and outcomes of their favourite drama texts, plays or performances from their perspective.
On this page
#IfIWere is a national competition which invites you to share your take on classic (or contemporary) texts using the hashtag #IfIWere.
From A Midsummer Night's Dream to Nine Night, Goodnight Mister Tom to A Raisin in the Sun or War Horse to Our Country's Good, we’re asking you to become the creator and view the play or performance as if you are represented in the texts and ask yourself what the storyline would look like if you were at the heart of it.
What would the characters and setting be like? What would happen if you were the protagonist? What would your view of the world be?
How do I take part?
If you (or your students) would like to take part in #IfIWere then all you have to do is choose your favourite drama text and imagine yourself in the heart of the play. Ask yourself what the storyline would look like if you were. Which character would you be? Where would it take place? How would it differ from the original?
You can either write your version as a 280-character Tweet, 200 words or fewer Facebook post - or record it on video if you prefer – at a maximum length of 45 seconds. Then ask your teacher or parent to help you share your reworked version on social media by tagging @PearsonSchools and using the hashtag #IfIWere. Or you can email your written reimagined story or recorded entry (.mp4, .avi or .mov file – with a maximum file size of 25 MB) to us at ifiwere@pearson.com.
Don’t forget, if you’re under 18, you’ll need your parent or carer’s permission before you share your entry and if you’ve created a recording that includes anyone else under 18 years old – such as friends or family members – they must have permission from their parent or carer too.
You can submit your entries from 09:00 on 1 March 2022 with the winners announced in the Summer term.
There are some amazing drama related prizes up for grabs, not just for participating students but your school too! So what are you waiting for? Grab a pen (or camera), find your voice and express yourself in the lines of your new, reimagined creation.
To get you inspired, we’ve put together a couple of examples:
#IfIWere... Romeo and I met Juliet in London, I’d champion her right to choose her own husband and fight against the stupid family prejudice. I’d do it for love, but also because that’s how things should be.
I wouldn’t feel ashamed of being a single mum #IfIWere Fantine. I would work really hard to build a better life for my daughter Cosette. We’d live in Hastings and we’d walk by the sea every day.
#IfIWere... Simba, my Pride Land would be Syria, overcome by violence, injustice and drought. I would flee to the UK for a better life – but my heart would yearn for home.
Useful documents
Entry guidelines
First check out the entry criteria, then choose your favourite play.
Now imagine yourself in the heart of the play:
- What would the storyline look like if you were at the heart of it?
- Which character would you be?
- Where would it take place?
- How would it differ from the original?
Once your reworked representation is complete, ask your teacher or parent to help you share it with us from 1 March 2022 by tagging @PearsonSchools and completing the social media form. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #IfIWere. Or send it to us via email at ifiwere@pearson.com
IMPORTANT: You’ll need your parent or carer’s permission before you share your creation. Plus, if you don’t submit your entry with a completed form, you won’t be entered into the competition. Don’t miss out on these amazing prizes!
Entry criteria
- Your reworked representation should not be longer than 280-characters (Twitter), 200 words (Facebook) or a 45-second video.
- You can create it at home or in school, with your teacher’s or parent’s / carer’s permission.
- Your representation can be sent to us in the following formats: using the hashtag #IfIWere on Twitter (by tagging @PearsonSchools) and Facebook; or via email on ifiwere@pearson.com.
- Recorded entries can be sent to us as .mp4, .avi or .mov files. They should not be bigger than 25 MB.
- You can send your work to us by email on ifiwere@pearson.com or by asking your school or parent to post them on social media at @PearsonSchools from 1 March using the hashtag #IfIWere.
- You must have permission from a parent or carer to enter.
- If you have created a recording that includes anyone else under 18 years old – such as friends or family members – they must have permission from their parent or carer too.
- Any representations received will be used across Pearson’s marketing and information channels.
Interested in offering a more diverse Drama curriculum?
In 2021, as part of our continued commitment to diversity and inclusion, we added four new performance texts to ensure that the choice for teachers is broader and more representative. This decision has been taken following the work we have been doing with The Royal Court Theatre and London Theatre Consortium on decolonising the curriculum.