Title
Directing young people: Theatre as Game

Workshop description
The workshop will be a practical exploration of directing practice, specifically aimed at engaging young performers. We will focus on John Wright’s approach to directing as a complimentary practice to psychological methods. The workshop will provide exercises which can be used when directing online, at social distance or in regular circumstances.

Learning outcomes
Participants will:
-examine approaches of contemporary directing practice;
-experience activities which can be instantly implemented into their own rehearsal room;
-learn how to bring performances alive in an online and distanced setting;
expand their directing toolkit with new tips and tricks for directing young people;
-acquire new techniques for exploring a set text.

How this workshop will benefit teachers in their curriculum delivery
Participating in performances is vital for many young people’s well-being and teachers are questioning right now how they can make this happen in a safe way. The instantly applicable techniques from this workshop will enable teachers to more effectively stage productions during this challenging school year. It will also provide a powerful resource for teachers to form a networking group of directors who can share best practice of working with young people beyond the workshop. Teachers will be able to take the workshop contents and use it within curriculum delivery when working on any text in class, whether that be in IB, MYP, GCSE/A level set texts or any other programme.

Target audience
All MS and HS Theatre teachers

I was born in the United Kingdom, trained as an actor in Bristol and worked professionally as an actor/director before becoming a theatre teacher in the UK and US. I am now a freelance theatre artist who travels the world looking for exciting creative opportunities and the best beaches.

My main interests as a theatre artist are in devised collaborative theatre and physical acting. My training is focussed in Lecoq’s pedagogy and in my own devised work, and I am passionate about exploring social and political ideas through physicality. I have experience working with Complicité, Frantic Assembly and Gecko, and these companies inform much of my practice.

I have extensive experience with the IB DP Theatre and MYP courses and have led Category 1, 2 and 3 teacher training workshops for ISTA. I also work as a creative director, SEL at TaPS/festivals and master class leader and am thrilled to be part of such an incredible community of theatre artists.

Event coordinator
Helen Abbott

The workshop will take place using the platform Zoom.

Places are limited to 20 participants per workshop.

You will receive a link to the Zoom call the day before the workshop.

The cost of the session is GBP £30 per person.

Any materials shared with you prior to the workshop, such as the workbook. Plus anything requested by the workshop leader which will be shared with you a few days prior to the workshop.

Space requirements
If possible, please try to have a small amount of space near to you for any practical work.