These are full-day sessions for students aged 11-18. In four groups of 20 and working primarily with two artists, they devise, write, design and create an original piece of drama, integrating music and movement. The results are shared as a performance to the community on the fifth and final day. Each group also includes a number of local teachers working alongside the students.
Each morning group works on devising material from a drama standpoint and then the afternoons are spent creating work with relation to music, dance or design. All the sessions are structured to introduce the participants to devise original work through using their own experiences and not from written texts. The use of spoken and written English is encouraged, but being able to freely communicate is more important in creating the work. The workshops are a mix of learning new skills and drawing out talents as well as showing how each art-form can inform the other.
The film media course will run in parallel alongside the drama workshop allowing students to learn both the creative and practical aspects of film making. The students will make a 10-minute film, taking turns both in front and behind the camera. They will work in groups of 10 primarily with one director but also have sessions with a designer, musician and choreographer to open up possibilities in their filmmaking.
Some comments from teachers after the workshop held at Haifa school in October 2009
“My students now love to learn because learning has become fun to them” Mahmoud Shihadi – Tyre
“I learned the following: Considering the differences among the students as natural. Respecting their opinions and suggestions whatever they are. Learning new artistic methods and techniques to apply in my teaching experiences…We achieved successful artistic and humanistic objectives through this project regardless of limited time” Manar Al Kilani – Beqaa
“I expected hard drama lessons but my opinion changed because it was simple – a chance for students to express in their own way.” Yousef Alfahel – Tyre
If you are interested in becoming one of our workshop leaders, please fill in the CAST Application and Equal Opportunities Forms.
Alex Dower – Cast Biog
As an actor Alex Dower has worked extensively in theatre (National Theatre, West End…), television (Eastenders, Silent Witness…) and film (The Gathering, Chisenhale…). He is also an award-winning director, most recently working with prisoners in Russia, and is artistic director of Creating Freedom, an international production company, based in Berlin.
Beverley Eve – Cast Biog
Beverley studied at ASAD, where she graduated with a Diploma in acting, directing and the teaching of both disciplines. Aside from her acting career she spends most of her time teaching & directing childrens theatre, having worked with Splats Entertainment, Stagecoach & Kickstep, and is passionate about the power of theatre studies in education.
Liz Boag – Cast Biog
Elizabeth trained in dance and performing arts at the Kirkham Henry School of Performing Arts in North Yorkshire before completing a bachelors’ degree at the University of Leeds and an MA in performance at Mountview Academy for Theatre Arts.
She has been teaching dance and physical theatre since 1996 and has been a professional actress since 2002, with career highlights including television roles for the BBC, theatre roles at the Old Vic and a variety of independent film roles.
