Theatre for Schools 2020 PROGRAMME
/TheCourtyardPlayhouse
courtyardplayhouse.com
@Court_Playhouse
050 986 1736
@CourtyardPlayhouse
schools@courtyardplayhouse.com
COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM
SCHOOLS BROCHURE
CONTENTS School Programme
About Us Performances for Schools Workshops for Schools The Inter-School Theatresportsâ„¢ Tournament The Young Playhouse Teacher Training Theatre Hire Contact Us
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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050 986 1736
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SCHOOLS BROCHURE
ABOUT US The Courtyard Playhouse
Dubai’s only KHDA licensed Improvisation Theatre and Training Centre. Founded in 2013, the Courtyard Playhouse is the UAE’s first small theatre venue. We offer a programme of improvisation, acting workshops and performances for children and adults. We specialise in the delivery of corporate training and development and theatrical events. The Courtyard Playhouse boasts two theatre spaces, seating 75 and 35, each equipped with top-of-the-range lighting, sound and projection systems.
Note from the Owners
‘Opportunities for children to experience theatre in the region are scarce. I (Kemsley) recall phoning every theatre in Dubai on behalf of a school student in 2009, asking if there was any work experience available. The student didn’t like performing, but loved all aspects of backstage work and was enchanted and motivated to learn how it all worked. I was greeted with bafflement and confusion by the theatres. I felt very guilty relaying this to her; it had quite a profound effect on me, and I wondered if was something we could remedy.’ Cut to the present... The Young Playhouse is a programme of theatre activities especially geared to school students. The programme is designed to give more opportunity to the hundreds of teachers and thousands of children in the UAE who deserve broader opportunities and better exposure to theatre and the Arts. At the Courtyard Playhouse, students can take part in work-experience placements; learn set-design, lighting, scenography and the craft that goes into the running of a modern professional theatre. Students can watch new, immersive performances and take part in workshops or The Inter-Schools Theatresports™ Tournaments. Most of all, they can experience, learn and play in a young, vibrant and professional community, that is proud to have full-time employees that have come through the youth ranks, including the current Artistic Director. We hope that we’ve made the world of theatre more accessible to students of all ages than it was in 2009. We thank all of the dedicated teachers who support us, your local theatre, enabling us to offer and enhance these opportunities for children season after season. We look forward to working with you this academic year.
Kemsley Dickinson and Tiffany Schultz scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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PERFORMANCES Improvised Kids’ Storytime for Schools
Our favourite children’s performance, ‘What Comes Next?!’ is now available for schools to book! The premise is simple: each performance is a unique story that unfolds based on what the children in the audience want to happen next! The show is an extension of Keith Johnstone’s improvisation exercise, ‘What Comes Next’, and supports curriculums that value storytelling, literacy, social awareness and fun. Children may create a castle drawbridge from our cardboard box set, draw an enchanted garden right onto the boxes with coloured chalk and even invent an evil lair or swamp to escape from. Will the princess ride off on the dragon or be sucked into the bog and imprisoned by the swamp monster? The possibilities are fun and endless when the children decide...What Comes Next?! Our improvisors are experienced at performing for all age groups and tailor the content to suit. Recommended age range for this show is 4 – 16 years old. Our venue is perfect for a child’s first experience of live theatre. Students will engage in a special, interactive show in the most beautiful small theatre in the world. Prices range from 90 AED to 130 AED per student including popcorn and water for each child. Teachers and chaperones enter free of charge with a complimentary tea or coffee. VAT is included in the price.
‘It was such a pleasure for everyone to attend the show, children and adults too. The feedback was very positive and we all agreed that it was one of our most successful field trips this year. The students were very motivated and inspired. They used words like hilarious, fun, creative, original, not copied.... to describe their experience at Courtyard Playhouse.’ Farah El Haddad - Swiss International School of Dubai scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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PERFORMANCES Improvised Kids’ Storytime for Schools
‘As a mother and teacher living in Dubai I appreciate your work so much. You guys are an amazing gem in the city. I love you, my kids love you and we can’t wait to experience another amazing performance! Thanks for all that you do.’ scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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- Alison Lindsay
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WORKSHOPS Improv’ in the Classroom
Stories are a part of our everyday life, they are how we share ideas with one another. Improv’ is immensely beneficial for everyone and is used in training, therapy and education worldwide.
Our benchmark schools workshops bring improvisation into the classroom through games and exercises appropriate to each age group. The approach to teaching improvisation is inspired by the work of Keith Johnstone, who many of our instructors have trained with personally. The workshops serve as a general introduction and exploration of improvisation for children, with a focus on literacy and fun for younger groups and spontaneity and storytelling for older groups. Literacy Through Improvisation
Grade 1-6 Grade 7-9 Grade 1-6
Improvisation and Storytelling
Grade 7-9 Grade 10-12
‘Thank you for coming in and inspiring my students with your teaching and Theatresports™. It was clear the students enjoyed the content of the workshop and they have been coming down to Drama asking whether we can play Theatresports™. We will certainly get a team together for the next Inter-School competition.’ - Jonathan Thomas, EIS Meadows
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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WORKSHOPS School Workshops Designed by You
The flexibility of improvisation allows us to apply our skills to your needs; we listen and create something specifically for your students and your environment.
We have applied improvisational theatre techniques to a wide variety of requests and requirements, ranging from: ‘We want our grade 4s to recognise the value of sharing’, to ‘We’d like our pupils to increase their literacy skills and self-confidence’, to ‘Could you help with our production of Romeo and Juliet, paying attention to the Ballroom scene?’
INSTRUCTORS Our instructors are all professional improvisers who practice what they preach, teaching and performing multiple shows and workshops every week at the Courtyard Playhouse. The owners of the theatre are qualified and experienced teachers with decades of classroom experience and a heavy focus on quality teaching for children that is evident throughout the theatre.
‘The improviser has to understand that his first skill lies in releasing his partner’s imagination.’
Keith Johnstone
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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THEATRESPORTS Inter_School Tournament
Every June and November, school teams will battle it out in the one and only Inter-School Theatresports™ Tournament in the Middle East, live at the Courtyard Playhouse Theatre!
Theatresports™ is team-based competition where captains issue dramatic challenges to their opponents. Past challenges include:
‘We DIA challenge you JESS, to the best scene in the desert!’ ‘We GEMS Wellington challenge you EIS, to a scene that makes the audience go “Ahhhhh”.’ ‘We Lycee Francois challenge you DAA, to a scene in French!’ Our judges will score scenes until a victor emerges and is awarded the winners’ trophy to rapturous applause. On the surface, Theatresports™ is a team-based ‘theatre competition’ but its main aim is to build a mutual desire to create dynamic, interesting theatre through spontaneity, storytelling and supportive play. Learning improvisation benefits students in far-reaching ways. Taking part can break down barriers, train students how to embrace change, free their imaginations and help them recognise the value of responding positively and being inclusive in real-life. It’s also fun! ‘Such fun was had over the course of the six weeks and the actual tournament. The awards will take pride of place in our trophy cabinet at the school. Thank you for inspiring all of us and for helping us build confidence and lifelong skills. Most importantly, that you for reminding us (yes, we need reminding!) how to have FUN!’ Pádraig Ó Dúnadhaigh - ASD Teacher
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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THEATRESPORTS Training at Your School
After your school has registered, teams will be coached by an accredited Theatresports™ instructor from the Courtyard Playhouse in a pre-arranged series of workshops at your school.
Players and teams will then be selected and invited to represent their schools at the tournament. We host two tournaments: The Mushroom Cup, for younger teams starting at age 9 and The Star Cup for experienced/older teams up to age 18. Our fees are AED 85 per hour per student, with a minimum requirement of one two-hour intensive workshop. The most popular, and our recommended, programme is one hour a week for six weeks at AED 510 per student. We can tailor the workshop length and number of workshops to suit your class schedules, budget and calendar.
You can even book us to host an internal Theatresports™ tournament just for your school! Theatresports™: • Improves interpersonal skills through listening and clear communication • Develops storytelling skills and creative thinking • Alleviates the universal fear of being on stage and failing • Fosters creative collaboration within teams as well as between competing teams ‘Teens who would despise any conventional “cultural” performance will go through considerable hardship to take part in our shows because impro’ is “daring”, and because they get to practice exactly those interpersonal skills that they are so desperate to improve: communication, empathy, creativity and friendship’
- Keith Johnstone scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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THEATRESPORTS Previous Inter_School Tournaments
‘All the students got a real buzz from doing it. It definitely builds team-working skills, support for others and confidence. I’d definitely recommend it; the students got a brilliant experience, especially on the day of the competition, and felt such loyalty to the team coaching them. It was very moving to watch them in action and to marvel at how confident and creative they were.’ Sara Carter, Teacher at JESS, AR scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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YOUNG PLAYHOUSE Young Playhouse Jam and Mentorship
The Young Playhouse is a collection of initiatives aimed at giving young people opportunities to grow as theatre professionals. There is no charge for any Young Playhouse initiative.
YOUNG PLAYHOUSE IMPROV JAM Once a month, on a Monday at 6pm, the Playhouse hosts a free workshop for teens. This is an opportunity for both our regular Youth Theatre members and newcomers to train with one of our instructors. It’s a great opportunity to find out more about improvisation, see the theatre and meet some new friends! After the workshop we encourage all attendees to stay and watch/ volunteer for our Monday Night Theatre. Many of our young players and volunteers graduate from this route to become active members of our theatre, or are offered full-time positions.
Registration is essential due to high demand.
MENTOR PROGRAMME For established members of our Youth Theatre we offer a Mentor programme. We will send an official invite which pairs a young adult with one of our full-time instructors and over a number of weeks they will get one-to-one guidance as they cycle through learning sound and lights, directing, sceneography and onstage work.
‘Improv at the Courtyard Playhouse is the best thing that’s happened to me. From the welcoming family of staff, to the major events giving once in a lifetime opportunities all organised behind the scenes, the Playhouse truly has opened my eyes to the art of improv. Improv will have many benefits on my life and future but other than this it has huge benefits on my life as a teen.’ James McClean - Participant, 14 Yrs scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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YOUNG PLAYHOUSE Work Experience Programme
WORK EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS We have regular opportunities for students who have an ambition to work in the arts. Students are given the opportunity to experience working in a busy theatre, either onstage, backstage or at the business end of this fascinating and multi-layered industry. Placements are usually arranged through schools and there is an application and interview process. Work experience satisfies GCSE curriculum requirements and Community and Service recognition (CAS hours) for IB Diplomas. Areas of experience can include: • Stage management • Scenography • Lighting & sound desks for live shows & events • Patching and rigging lights • Front of House • Food and beverage • Admin and marketing We have occasional vacancies for paid internships, particularly in the summer and winter months. This is for members of our Youth Theatre to experience real ‘work’ at the theatre...and a real pay cheque! Paid Internships are by invite only. ‘I found my work experience week to be thoroughly enjoyable. I genuinely felt as though I was helping with the events in an impactful way through the jobs I was assigned. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Improv show, it was the highlight of my time helping out.’ Cameron Walne - Work Experience Participant
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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TEACHERS Improv Skills for Teachers
The Playhouse has a rich history of delivering learning and development to school professionals across the UAE.
Development events/Workshops/Skills seassions can be part of an inset day, a larger teacher training programme, or even International Book Week. Development events can be hosted at The Courtyard Playhouse auditorium or our team can travel to you. Our most popular workshop is called ‘Yes And...Improvised Skills for a Connected Team’ and last anywhere between two hours and an entire day. It’s fantastic fun and serves as an enlightening induction or team-building event, leaving teachers with lots of new exercises to engage and inspire students. For more teacher training opportunities please request our corporate training brochure which has broader options including Negotiation Skills, Storytelling, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills; or we are happy to design a workshop with your specific needs in mind.
Improv’ encourages: • • • •
embracing ideas to see where they lead rather than leaping in with obstacles creativity and acceptance within teams, removing barriers to progress being present in the moment listening carefully, and contributing freely adaptability and risk-taking
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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050 986 1736
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SCHOOLS BROCHURE
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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THEATRE HIRE Unique and Professionally Equipped
Our beautiful stages have plush seating, a full compliment of theatre facilities and an attention to detail that has led to us being referred to as ‘the most beautiful little theatre in the world’.
The Courtyard Playhouse is nestled in the creative heart of Dubai amongst the galleries and cafés of Al Quoz. We are located around the corner from The Times Square Shopping Mall, opposite Bounce and Al Serkal and accessible easily from Sheikh Zayed Road. In the past, schools have used the Playhouses facilities for: school productions and IB/GCSE courses that require certain sound, lighting and theatre elements; drama exams; screenings; school events. Our Main Auditorium seats 75 (60 fixed seats + 15 beanbags), the Improv’ Studio seats 35 and the Actors’ Studio is our rehearsal space and is suitable for up to 12 people to perform/rehearse. Both auditorium spaces have a full compliment of ETC lighting fixtures, professional audio and video facilities and sprung wooden floors. We have two spacious green rooms, an equally spacious foyer area and a well-stocked concessions kiosk.
‘Every single detail in the venue is just right.’
- Maher Masri, Caliber
‘Courtyard Playhouse is just perfect! An oasis in a cosmopolitan city, where you can enjoy a diversity of arts in a non-commercial environment!’ - Heidi Struiksma ‘A very cosy place and such a special atmosphere where everyone who comes feels they wants to play too!’ - Polina Likhacheva scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
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050 986 1736
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THEATRE HIRE Unique and Professionally Equipped
‘I cannot recommend The Courtyard Playhouse and its team enough. I recently rented the venue for a corporate event and the team were brilliant from start to finish in helping us pull off the best event possible. If one phrase defines them, it is ‘can do attitude’. If you need a special venue for your company’s events, look no further - it’s really magical!’
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
Maya Itani - Entrepreneur
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050 986 1736
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CONTACT US
For Screenings, Workshops, Venue Hire
CONTACT US AT:
050 986 1736
/TheCourtyardPlayhouse @Court_Playhouse @CourtyardPlayhouse
schools@courtyardplayhouse.com
scho o ls @ c o u r tyardplayhouse . com
/CourtyardPlayhouse
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050 986 1736