As a drama facilitator my main objective is to provide a positive arts experience and an opportunity for young people to learn through an encounter with various aspects of drama based projects. Facilitating workshops to specific age groups; providing a platform on which they can explore common interests and issues as well as developing their social and educational skills and building confidence through the medium of devised theatre, role play, games and improvisation, etc.
I currently work with various youth organisations as a freelancer and am always looking to develop my work wih other theatre companies that specialise in youth theatre, specified devised workshops and inclusive arts. I thoroughly enjoy this type of work and feel that it coincides well with my work as an actress.
Experience
2009 | Actor and Facilitator
Pace Theatre Co. LTD. | Spyres Drama Studios, School Wynd, Paisley PA1 2DA
*This is a new position beginning in September 2009
Workshops at PACE follow a unique youth theatre syllabus programme, devised to increase confidence, communication, self-expression and performance skills. The aim is to increase a development not only in technical theatre and performance skills but to enhance the individual performer overall; so that each young person involved finds motivation and an individual progression, whilst working as part of a group. My role is working with those in primary 4, 5 and 7 within a group workshop environment, tailored to their specific age group. I work with 6 different groups in total and each workshop is structured within the syllabus programme, whilst taking into account the individual needs of each group.
2009 | Actor and Facilitator
INTER-ACT | Health Promotion Department, NHS Forth Valley, Euro House, Wellgreen Place, Stirling FK8 2DJ
The aim of this organisation is to assist young people in Forth Valley in their transition through adolescence to early adulthood, with a particular focus on the social and emotional aspects of health and development. Through the use of a balanced combination of drama and workshop facilitation, this project devised an interactive piece, entitled 'Gone', which focused on alcohol use amongst teens. Working with groups of 12-15 young people in S2 and following through with feedback to the entire year group, the young people were able to make observations on the performance and make choices regarding the specific characters presented to them. They were encouraged to ask questions and took part in hot seating and there was elements of interactive role play for the students. This provided appropriate stimulation for the groups to recognise particular situations relating to the themes presented and investigate the issues that were delivered to them.
2009 - Present | Freelance Facilitator
Stagecoach, Stirling | 14/7 Roseburn Maltings, Roseburn, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH12 5LJ
Early Stages: Early Stages is an introduction to Stagecoach for children aged 4 - 6. They train in each of the three disciplines - dance, drama and singing - for 30 minutes per week. Each class has a maximum of fifteen Early Stages students. I work with the group for one hour each week, incorporating two of the arts disciplines - drama and dance. My main focus is on encouraging the group to use their imaginations and gain confidence whilst learning new skills. Making the class fun with individual and group activity, including elements of story telling and drama games.
2008 - Present | Freelance Facilitator
Firefly Arts | The Playshed, Maree Walk, Craigshill, Livingston EH54 5BP
Leading and directing workshops, working with different age groups through a broad youth theatre curriculum. A wide range of skills are offered to participants in the pursuit of their personal, social, learning and creative development. The age range includes:
Beginners - Primary 1-4: Beginners take part in fun drama games, exercises and group activities which help them develop new skills in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Juniors - Primary 5-7: Juniors take part in specific targeted games and skills exercises that are tailored to suit the needs of the group.
Intermediates - Secondary 1-2: At Intermediate level there is a greater emphasis on the development of in depth theatre skills.
Seniors - Secondary 3+: Senior groups are much more performance orientated and different performances and productions are developed by senior members. These might include Christmas shows, theatre in education pieces for performance in schools and full scale productions.
Performance opportunities are offered to all groups at the end of each academic year; for younger participants performances are in their own venues.
2008 - Present | Freelance Facilitator
Toonspeak | Unit 1A, Millburn Centre, 221 Milburn Street, Glasgow G21 2HL
Providing a drama workshop experience to young people aged 11-25. Workshops consist of drama games, improvisations and devised theatre, often culminating in performance. Text based work is also included when working on specific themes. Throughout each term the participants make progressive steps in developing ideas, working with others as part of a group and being more involved in group activity, as well as enhancing their performance skills. Participants are encouraged to make choices and be involved in every aspect of each workshop and convey what they want to gain from the experience. Generally when working toward a performance, the young people will also have the opportunity to participate in specialist skills workshops. Alongside the weekly classes there are intensive projects, such as October week, Easter Project or Summer Intensive. These projects run as a daily program throughout school holidays in which the young people devise and rehearse for a production with a theme of their choosing.
2000 - 2003 | Workshop Assistant/Senior Workshop Assistant
Scottish Youth Theatre | The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow G1 1TF
Assisting with specific classes and age groups:
3-5yrs: Providing an introduction to drama through games, stories and art activities. Participants are encouraged to develop their self-expression and explore their imaginations.
6-7yrs and 8-10yrs: Continues the same approach as with the 3-5yrs but activities have more emphasis on improvisation, including movement, character and story.
11-14yrs: Uses tutor led improvisation and drama games to help participants develop skills in acting essentials such as, character and narrative development, voice and movement.
15-25yrs: Concentrates on improvisation, with additional specialist skills classes and text based work.
Skills
· Workshop Facilitator
· Improvisation
· Devised Theatre
· Scene Study and Text Analysis
· Character Development
· Vocal Production (speech)
· Production and Performance
