Schools Activities 2017
CREATIVE LEARNING AT THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE IS FOR YOU
Creative Learning launched in 2008, and has provided children, young people, families and educators with over 150,000 ways to take part through workshops, projects and productions at the New Wolsey Theatre and Studio, in school and in the community. This brochure outlines the year round programme of activity, as well as deeper ways to engage with productions visiting us, the work we’re producing and the performances we’re developing specifically for primary and secondary schools. You’ll also see how we’re supporting schools through our new teacher advisors - ensuring the work we provide is curriculum ready, as an Arts Award supporter, and through a variety of activity designed to directly address the English, Drama, SMSC, and PHSE curricula.
Thanks to continued support from Suffolk County Council and our sponsors Larking Gowen we’re able to keep charges to a minimum, so read on to find out more about the many ways you can get involved and get in touch.
Rob Salmon Associate Director
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WORKSHOPS, PROJECTS, TOURS, PRODUCTIONS, SKILLS & LEARNING, GAMES, TEACHER TRAINING, AUDITIONS, AND MORE… In these pages you will find a range of ways to get children & young people involved in the arts as either a part of the curriculum, through activity designed to raise their aspirations and develop their confidence about their future pathways, or increase their soft-skills… maybe even as a reward for their progress! We recognise that you may be looking for activity for a group of children according to need, rather than to fulfil a curriculum requirement. This brochure lays out the kind of work we deliver regularly, but there’s a whole range of additional activity we design to meet specific needs all year round. Get in touch with us to discuss any specific requests as we are happy to offer bespoke experiences in and out of school.
WE CAN OFFER: A wide variety of school or theatre based workshops that can be tailored to your needs. Backstage tours to explore the theatre and understand how we make a production. Show specific opportunities to meet creative teams, discover rehearsal techniques, explore creative processes and ask questions. Discounted tickets for schools.
THINGS TO NOTE: All our costs are subject to VAT Most of our workshops are designed to be at least an hour in length, but we will be flexible to fit in with your timetabling. All of our workshops are for a class sized group unless otherwise stated.
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INTRODUCING OUR PARTNERS
Take up in arts subjects has plummeted in recent years, and yet employers are crying out for improvement in school leavers in exactly the skills that the arts promote - creativity, flexibility, analysis, collaboration, accountability, non-verbal communication etc… We have partnered with Beth Rogers, Assistant Head Teacher at Rushmere Hall Primary School and Amy Aylett, Head of Drama at East Bergholt High School to ensure that our continuing offer stays relevant, and that we are in touch with the process of change
Beth says… I’m really pleased to be working with the New Wolsey Theatre. Over the past 12 months the majority of our KS2 children have had some kind of theatre experience, including workshops, performances and backstage tours. The theatre have supported the delivery of our SMSC and British Values, as well as our literacy curriculum. The arts is invaluable, it promotes social cohesion and underpins targeted and focused learning in oracy, literacy and soft skills. Importantly, it challenges our students and shows them that they can be who they want to be.
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Amy says… I am delighted to have been invited to be a partner with the New Wolsey Theatre, they have been an essential element in my work as a drama teacher for the past 8 years, and are an indispensable resource offering infinitely flexible professional support. I have lost count of the number of projects, shows, tours and workshops that my students and I have benefitted from over the years. The arts are being pared down by so many secondary schools and we have to fight to keep this as an element of students’ school experience.
WE ARE AN
Many of our workshops and projects can contribute to your delivery of the Arts Award, as well as SMSC targets and the British Values curriculum. ARTS AWARD DISCOVER: Discover the arts and share your experience with others
ARTS AWARD EXPLORE: Explore, create and present your own work
Visit us for a Storymaker workshop to listen to a story and then create your own
Come to the theatre to see a show and experience a backstage tour
Book a games and theatre making workshop for students to develop their own characters and ideas through imaginative play Share your creations with your fellow students and discuss what you enjoyed! All from just £5 per head!
Book a 6 week drama club project for students to explore theatre as an artform, and give them the creative language to develop new stories, characters and ideas. Invite friends and family along for the final performance! All from just £15 per head!
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BACKSTAGE TOUR
INDUSTRY DAYS
£2.50 per head At the Theatre KS1-5
£250 full day £120 half day At the Theatre KS3-5
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes in a busy producing theatre? Come and find out!
Bring your students to the theatre to find out first hand how a professional theatre operates.
Our extensive tour will take you from stage door to fly floor, backstage, substage and everywhere in between. You’ll get to see what is involved in getting a show ready for an audience, and explore the tricks of the trade backstage.
Choose from either a half day, which involves a backstage tour and the opportunity to meet some staff and find out what they do and how they got to where they are now, or a full day which includes a two hour theatre making workshop in addition.
And who knows who you’ll meet along the way!
A brilliant way to explore career pathways in the arts with your students!
A must for curious minds of all ages
An amazing opportunity for my students to see how everything ticks backstage
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The year 10s have been talking about yesterday with great enthusiasm and it has identified a post-16 path for several! Thank you
I had no idea how much work goes into running a theatre
DRAMA CLUB £350 for 6 workshops At School KS1-4 A six week project for a class sized group to explore theatre as an artform. This introductory series develops students’ theatrical awareness and skills, and gives them the creative language to develop new stories, characters and ideas. Importantly, students will take ownership and authorship over the stories that they create, encouraging investment and commitment in the process. We encourage the development of vocabulary, speaking & listening, soft and presentation skills, all through self expression and imaginative play. The project culminates in a sharing of ideas or a short performance at school for friends and family. Drama Club can be offered as an ongoing after school club for your students.
STAGING SHAKESPEARE’S STORIES £80 At school KS2-3 A lively workshop designed to engage young audiences with Shakespeare’s stories. Students will explore what makes Shakespeare’s plays so exciting and still relevant to today, and we will break down some of the barriers around the language, which so many young people find alienating. Using their own creativity, students will explore narrative and characterisation to bring one of Shakespeare’s plays to life.
Shakespeare is awesome! You’ve made Shakespeare accessible and exciting for our students
The stories are intriguing and exciting!
I’m not so scared about standing up in front of people Your practitioners have a real aura of positive energy and enthusiasm which is infectious and good to be around The children are more confident using words in class, in both formal learning and every day situations
He has gained confidence in all areas of his homework and his attitude has improved 7
STORYMAKER
PLAY IN A DAY
£80 At school KS1
£10/ head At school or theatre KS1-5
Do your students love stories?
A fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the creative process and spend an entire day responding to a classic text or devising a brand new piece of theatre.
This workshop is perfect for younger children with big imaginations who enjoy both listening to and making their own stories. Students will be read a story as a whole group before creating their very own tales through imaginative play. They will be encouraged to create characters and will be guided through basic storytelling structure to bring their ideas to life. The workshop will end with a sharing of their own stories, promoting presentation, speaking, listening and negotiation skills, as well as a fantastic confidence boost! Speak to us about incorporating stories or ideas that your students are currently studying.
Guided by our expert practitioners, students will work together to realise their ideas, developing their theatrical awareness and discovering new ways of making theatre. We will facilitate the culmination of their work into a whole performance, which can be presented to an invited audience of fellow students, friends and family at the end of the day! We can also offer discounted tickets to stay on and see a production that evening, subject to availability.
“ I am so impressed with how it all came together… Brilliant that it was all their own ideas The teachers and students have all learned new ways to approach making plays, thank you 8 CREATIVE LEARNING
SPECIALIST CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT £40/ hour At school KS1-5 We can offer an expert view on your creative projects for students and teachers alike, by starting from scratch on a fresh idea, or working with an existing script to further develop students’ performance skills. We will provide you with a professional theatre maker who will come in and give guidance for in-school productions, exam pieces, CPD opportunities or anything else which will enhance theatre making and creative practice within the school environment.
The children have responded so well to your input for our school play, it’s been wonderful to see some of the shyest students create some brilliant new stories to sit within it
Brilliant for our GCSE students to refresh their approach to their practical exam and discover fresh theatre making methods
EMPLOYABILITY & FUTURES £80 At school/ college KS4-5 For young people who are about to leave school or college and may be thinking about further education or employment options. This practical workshop will use theatrical games and exercises to develop participants’ employability and presentational skills, preparing them for interviews and exploring the skills they will need in the work place. A fantastic boost in confidence and presentation skills for any students who may be feeling unsure about their futures!
I’ve always wanted to run my own business, and now I know I can
This made me think more positively about my future
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COMING SOON IN SPRING 2017… Who to Follow is our brand new secondary schools touring show, which will explore risk taking in connection to drug misuse Join us for a CPD in Games and Theatre Making to discover ways to develop your students’ soft skills and embed drama across the curriculum Check out the brilliant We’re Stuck, an interactive, live action maths adventure for 8-11 year olds
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CURRICULUM LINKS: G.C.S.E./ A Level Drama & Theatre Studies, PSHE Suitable for hearing and deaf audiences VAMOS THEATRE IN A CO-COMMISSION WITH LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL
THE BEST THING A swinging sixties story of unconditional love from the UK’s leading full mask theatre company.
Booked this show? Workshops are available at your school! Suitable for all ages and abilities, these workshops provide a unique experience of full mask physical theatre. Workshop options include:
Mask Taster Session A taster session to introduce full mask theatre techniques, open to all. £140 for 2 hours
Mask Devising Workshop A brilliant opportunity for KS4-5 students to devise mask scenes through structured exercises and professional direction. £230 for 2 hours
Physical Theatre Taster Workshop An introduction to Vamos’ own physical theatre making methods. £230 for 2 hours / £350 for 4 hours
Introduction to Mask for Deaf Participants Schools relaxed performance: Fri 24 February 2017 at 1pm Schools tickets: £10 Ages: 12 plus Vamos Theatre is the UK’s leading full mask theatre company. The visual nature of their work makes this show ideal for deaf or partially deaf audiences.
Students will learn the rules of the mask, explore characters from the show and learn the techniques of developing physical clarity through gesture. £200 for 1.5 hours
This workshop really inspired me and I would recommend it to every deaf person in the universe. Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford – Artistic Director, DeDrama Deaf Theatre
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CURRICULUM LINKS: KS2 Maths, Expressive Arts ONE TENTH HUMAN AND CHINA PLATE PRESENT
WE’RE STUCK! By Sarah Punshon
An unforgettable, accessible and interactive live action maths adventure for 8-11 year olds!
School performances: Tues 28 – Fri 31 March 2017 at 10.30am and 1.30pm Schools tickets: £10 Commissioned by Shoreditch Town Hall and Z-Arts Originally developed in collaboration with Maths on Toast
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Ever got terribly stuck on a problem? Ever made a silly mistake and felt like a fool? Brilliant! Then this show is for you.
Students are invited to embark on a promenade adventure through four different spaces, and have the opportunity to practice tricky KS2 mathematical techniques such as 2D co-ordinates and spatial reasoning. Wrap around activities are also included which reinforce the learning that has taken place during the show. These include a handbook for every child full of games and activities and resources for teachers via the Maths on Toast website.
CURRICULUM LINKS: G.C.S.E./ A Level Drama & Theatre Studies GECKO PRESENTS
THE WEDDING Created by Amit Lahav
We are all married, bound by a contract. But what are the terms of this relationship and can we talk about divorce? Gecko’s education and outreach is a key area of the company’s work and they can provide workshops for both GCSE and A-Level students. Workshops are led by their highly experienced company members and serve as an introduction to physical theatre, whilst exploring the company’s innovative devising process and method for creating movement for performance.
Schools performance: Thu 20 April 2017 at 1.30pm Schools tickets: £10
Booked this show? Workshops are available Image: Rich Rusk at your school!
Gecko is currently listed as a prescribed practitioner on the AQA specification for AS and A-Level Drama, a suggested company on the International Baccalaureate Theatre course guide and have recently created a resource pack for OCR’s new AS and A-Level Theatre specification. £300 plus VAT for a half day workshop (up to 3 hours) £450 plus VAT for a full day workshop (up to 6 hours) Maximum group size: 20 Discounts are available for block bookings subject to interest
www.geckotheatre.com CREATIVE LEARNING 13
CURRICULUM LINKS: SMSC Requirements & British Values THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE PRESENTS
ALFIE STRANGE: Trained Time Travellers Only! Directed by Rob Salmon
This is the story of how Alfie Strange (aged 8 ¼) gets stuck in a book and how he escapes it. You won’t believe who he meets on the way!
Alfie Strange is an introduction to the idea of ‘values’ for children in school years 3, 4 and 5, connecting to the SMSC requirements. The idea of an adventure through history is used as a way of introducing the students to events, characters and stories that reflect the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect/tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. teachers pack will be available. A A supporting workshop is available at a cost of £60 plus VAT, which will further explore the themes within the performance.
Part funded by
Touring Primary Schools Mon 20 Feb – Fri 17 March 2017
In 30 years of teaching, this is the best show I’ve ever seen in a school. teacher You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. student
A brilliant way to approach values with this age group. teacher
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SCHOOLS TOURING PROGRAMME
CURRICULUM LINKS: PSHE, G.C.S.E. Drama, SMSC Requirements & British Values THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE PRESENTS…
WHO TO FOLLOW An interactive, promenade experience exploring risk taking in relation to drug misuse, for students in years 8 & 9.
Announcing our brand new secondary schools touring production for autumn 2017 Who to Follow will present four independent stories, each relating to a young person’s experience of risk, but from distinctly different perspectives. Students will choose their own journey between the four stories, which will either challenge or confirm their assumptions about what they believe about drug misuse. The experience will culminate in an opportunity to decide on the fate of an unseen character at the centre of each story. This multi-agency project is a serious discourse with young people about their relationship to risk, and will give them the space to ask adult questions and reflect on their own decisions.
Touring Secondary Schools Mon 18 September – Fri 6 October 2017
Each year we produce two schools touring productions, one for primaries and one for secondaries. These are part funded by Suffolk County Council and include engagement opportunities such as post show discussions and workshops.
Do you want to be involved in the making of Who to Follow? We will be holding research & development workshops in May 2017, contact us if you’re interested! Part funded by
Book for just £220 plus VAT CREATIVE LEARNING 15
CURRICULUM LINKS: G.C.S.E. Drama, Theatre Studies, PSHE, SMSC Requirements & British Values
RAMPS ON THE MOON: Workshop Series THE WHO’S TOMMY Based on the iconic 1969 concept album, The Who’s TOMMY is the multi-award winning epic rock musical written by Pete Townshend. Ramps on the Moon is a ground breaking touring project that sets out to put more deaf and disabled people on our stages, in our audiences and in our workforce. In association with our production of Tommy, we are offering workshops to explore inclusive and accessible contemporary theatre making practice alongside the themes of the production, which include the impact of fame as well as the overcoming of obstacles.
This production will be available for schools on the following days: Thu 30 and Fri 31 March The New Wolsey Theatre Mon 5 to Sat 17 June Theatre Royal Stratford East Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff Additional Music and Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon 16 CREATIVE LEARNING
Workshops can be booked as single or multiple sessions, and can support and inspire content for devised performance units at G.C.S.E. or A Level. A teacher resource pack will also accompany the production.
Teacher CPD Workshop:
GAMES & THEATRE MAKING FOR EVERY CLASSROOM
Join us for a CPD workshop to explore how games and theatre making can be embedded into everyday teaching methods!
Thu 26 January 2017 - 5pm - 7pm ÂŁ10 per head
This hands-on workshop will provide you with games and theatre based exercises that can be delivered in a classroom space. We will focus on games which develop core presentation, literacy and soft skills, giving you the confidence to lead each game with clear outcomes. Theatre making exercises will be explored which can be used in a range of contexts, perhaps to discover historical events and characters, to develop vocabulary, to creatively deliver the SMSC requirements or for students to physically explore mathematical shapes and fractions.
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CURRICULUM LINKS: Drama, Theatre Studies, PSHE Are you looking to find contemporary theatre for your G.C.S.E. Drama or A Level Theatre Studies students? Our annual Pulse Festival runs from 1st – 10th June 2017 and is a ten day festival of contemporary theatre. There’s the chance to see new and existing work from all over the country throughout the festival, made by some of the most exciting theatre makers around. Our Pulse Presents programme is an extension of the Pulse Festival, which offers a bright and inspiring snapshot of contemporary theatre with one off performances throughout the Spring Season.
THU 2 FEB
TUE 14 MAR
THU 16 MAR
Inua Ellams and Fuel present
The Pretend Men present
Tom Gill presents
AN EVENING WITH AN IMMIGRANT
Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, awardwinning poet and playwright Inua Ellams will tell his ridiculous, fantastic, poignant immigrant-story. Tales of escaping fundamentalist Islam in Nigeria, performing solo shows at the National Theatre, and drinking wine with the Queen of England, all the while without a country to belong to or a place to call home.
★★★★ whatsonstage.com
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POLICE COPS Following sellout runs at London’s Soho Theatre, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016, The Cape Town Fringe 2016 and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016... POLICE COPS is back in town. The Pretend Men’s critically acclaimed, multi award-winning comedy blockbuster returns once more for an action packed hour of adrenaline fuelled physical comedy, cinematic style and uncompromising facial hair.
★★★★★ The Stage Early booking is advised
GROWING PAINS Trapped in a small town cage, a working class lad trades his baghead mates for a one-way ticket out of Salford. But he’ll need more than a Young Person’s Railcard and some magic mushrooms for the journey he’s about to take… Combining quickwitted lyricism with original live songs, Gill’s unflinching production takes us on a poetic journey from heartache to redemption against the backdrop of Ladbrokes, broke lads and s**t dads.
★★★★★ Broadway Baby
RAISING ASPIRATIONS £350 for 6 workshops At school KS2-5 A six week project for 6-12 students to develop their confidence and self-belief, and empower them to be motivated & confident in school and in their futures. We will create a safe environment in which students will be encouraged to be themselves, taking time away from the curriculum to explore their concerns, while still at school. Workshops will include both discussion and practical games and theatre exercises that are designed to motivate, challenge and inspire, and allow students to be honest and open about their lives. We will take participants through activities which will encourage them to take small risks in putting themselves forward and, week by week, each small risk taken will result in an increase in confidence.
This has made me more confident when putting my hand up in class Our students have found their voices
LISTENED TO £80 At school KS4-5 A series of workshops which provide a safe space within the formal learning environment for young people who may be struggling with attainment or behavioural issues. Sessions involve discussion around decision making, perceptions and futures, with students having the opportunity to speak openly and in their own vernacular about their school experience, and vent their frustrations in the knowledge that their voices are being heard. At the end of the project a film is made which communicates participants’ points of view, using their own language. An actor from the New Wolsey Theatre Young Company performs a verbatim monologue, directed by participants in the school setting, to be shown to teachers at school.
This project has made me calmer
I don’t feel like I’m being judged
I won’t give up
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BLOOD, GUTS & GORE £120 At school KS3-5 A brilliantly bloody, fantastically frightful workshop in the art of gory theatrical effects. Students will learn the secret of creating realistic looking wounds, bruises and scars, explore what stage blood tastes like… and get the recipe to make their own! Expect black eyes, bloody noses, terrified passers-by, suspicious looks and loads of fun!
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STAGE COMBAT £150 At the theatre KS2-5 An energetic and physical workshop designed to uncover the mystery of stage combat, perfect for use in schools plays, GCSE or A Level exam pieces. Learn the techniques of stage fighting from trained professionals who will safely show you the tricks of the trade. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph a short unarmed fight sequence in connection to a piece of text.
YOUTH THEATRE AND YOUNG COMPANY If you’re under 25 and want to work in the Performing Arts Industry, there are all sorts of ways to develop as an actor, director, writer or technician at the New Wolsey Theatre. Every year we hold workshop auditions for children and young people and select up to 200 participants to take part in weekly skills and development sessions, as well as present a number of productions at the New Wolsey Studio and beyond all year round.
Read on to discover the many exciting participation opportunities for children and young people at the New Wolsey Theatre!
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YOUTH THEATRE If you want to make new friends and learn all about theatre by playing games and telling stories, our weekly workshops are a great place to start. You’ll even get to perform on the New Wolsey stage as part of the annual Youth Perform! festival.
Our Junior Youth Theatre meets at the weekend to play games and develop their theatre making skills through imaginative play. The Senior Youth Theatre meets during the week to develop their skills and understanding as young theatre makers. For young people with additional or special educational needs, there’s Youth Theatre², where participants can explore theatre making and develop their own creativity.
JUNIOR YOUTH THEATRE Ages 7-11 Sat morning workshops 1 annual production SENIOR YOUTH THEATRE Ages 11-16 Tues or Wed evening workshops 1 annual production YOUTH THEATRE² Ages 11-20 Mon evening workshops 1 annual presentation
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AUDITIONS 2017 JUNIOR YOUTH THEATRE: Sat 7 Jan 2017 SENIOR YOUTH THEATRE: Sat 7 & Sun 8 Jan 2017 YOUTH THEATRE²: Meet the Practitioners: Fri 6 Jan 2017 RELAXED AUDITION: Fri 6 Jan 2017 RELAXED AUDITIONS For anyone interested in joining any of our groups, who may benefit from a calmer environment. Our relaxed audition is the same as the other auditions, but with a lot less people in the room!
YOUNG COMPANY If you’re serious about a career as a professional theatre maker, the acclaimed New Wolsey Young Company is an ideal stepping stone on to the top drama schools, university or even as a direct route into employment in the performing arts. YOUNG COMPANY Ages 16-22 Wed evening workshops 3 annual productions AUDITION: Sun 8 Jan 2017 SHORT COURSES Ages 16-25 Thursday evening workshops We run short courses in Technical/Stage Management and Writing throughout the year. Places are free but limited, so get in touch to register your interest. YOUNG TECHNICIANS Learn about sound, lighting, set design, prop making and stage management and technical theatre roles.
YOUNG WRITERS Are you interested in writing for the stage? Learn how to develop narrative, characters and theatrical structure and write your own short play. Weekly Sessions: Thu 6.30pm - 9pm 5, 12, 19 Oct / 2, 9, 16 Nov
Weekly Sessions: Thu 6:30pm - 9pm 26 Jan / 2, 9, 23 Feb / 2, 9 Mar Final Session: Sun 12 Mar 11am - 4pm Intensive Project: Work with participants on our Big Ideas project to develop technical elements and operate the show. 27, 28, 29 Jul CREATIVE LEARNING 23
If you would like to book or find out more about any of the activities listed here, give us a call or email us using the details below: Sian Thomas
Marcus Neal
Creative Learning Producer
Creative Learning Manager
Email: sthomas@wolseytheatre.co.uk
Email: mneal@wolseytheatre.co.uk
Telephone: 01473 295930
Telephone: 01473 295930
NewWolseyTheatre
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