Project Ideas
It is sometimes difficult to get started with projects, so we thought we would list some of our past projects and some guidelines to deciding what might work in your school or organisation. This section gives you a snapshot of what could happen in drama workshops and projects.
Short Cuts to Literacy
This is a flexible project which uses film clips to inspire students to discuss and write more clearly about character. The project supports students in analysing how character is portrayed on screen, understanding this by acting out different character roles using drama exercises and then translating their knowledge onto the page so that they show rather than tell.
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Musical Theatre
This project brings together children from across the London Borough of Islington and has been commissioned by CEA@Islington. Based in four primary schools in the borough, the project introduces young people aged 8-11 to dance, drama and singing and develops performance skills by bringing to life some favourite musicals.
Arts ACTcess
Arts ACTcess is a youth theatre programme currently based in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The project offers young people training in a variety of theatre techniques including physical theatre, improvisation and devising, performing text and scripting.
Shakespeare
East-Side runs a number of projects to prepare students for SATs and GCSE's as well as offering introductory projects to Shakespeare plays. East-Side's approach takes the bard off the page and students are able to experience the themes and characters for themselves.
Forum Theatre
Forum Theatre is a participatory theatre approach developed by Brazilian theatre activist, Augusto Boal, designed to activate people to become engaged in their own learning.
The purpose of Forum Theatre is not to come up with finite solutions to a problem, but to explore multiple possibilities, generate dialogue, trigger critical thinking, and challenge the members of a group to actively engage with a particular issue. It allows people to role-play in a safe environment, to work as a team, and to test out practical strategies for change, in the event that they are confronted with similar issues in daily life. In essence, this approach is a fun and active way of exploring ideas of citizenship and responsibility! Expect games, discussion, laughter... and some surprising solutions to difficult challenges!
Physical Theatre
Physical Theatre does not have a precise definition as there are many interpreters and interpretation of this style of theatre. Physical Theatre observes the dynamics of movement and applies the law of movement to creative and dramatic interpretation. Close observation is fundamental to physical theatre. The quest is to discover what lies behind the narrative.
East-Side's physical theatre workshops give participants the opportunity to explore abstract themes and concepts such as ‘time' and to create their own unique characters. During workshops participants devise short pieces of performance through various acting exercises. In some workshops participants also have the opportunity to use masks which are excellent aids for developing expression, characterisation, and confidence.
Acting for Camera
Acting for TV is very different to acting on stage and this course will cover the basics and teach you all you need to start a career in film and television. This is an opportunity to learn how to act for the camera and to see yourself appear on the small screen. Led by professional screen actors and using broadcast quality DV cameras, you will work with film scripts and devise short pieces for camera. This course also covers camera shots and sizes as well as the role of the director and editor. Are you ready for your close-up now?
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Acting Techniques
A potted drama school education reduced from three years to just a number of hours. This course can be led by a theatre practitioner trained and experienced in one of a number of acting disciplines including Method, Stanislavski, Strasberg or Le Coq. Alternatively students can learn about a variety of acting techniques as well as exploring improvisational, devised and scripted drama.
Audition Technique
We have all seen Pop Idol and Fame Academy but what actually happens at a professional audition and what does a young actor need to know? This workshop will answer these questions and many more. Led by professional actors all very experienced at auditioning, this course could cover CVs and show reels, audition speeches, songs or reading parts aloud, how to act at an audition and how to present yourself well to a Casting Director as well as a mock audition to see who can cope with the demands of an uncompromising Director. All you need to win the Oscar for Best Newcomer, Audition Technique makes a very interesting one-off workshop that could lead to much further discussion in your drama class.
Devised Drama
How to create exciting and engaging characters and dramatic scenes from an original idea or stimulus but without a script; this workshop will teach students of the dramatic arts not to block ideas but to think quickly and to listen, react and build on ideas suggested by their peers. Great as a skills development workshop or sustained over a period of weeks to build up to a performance.
Parlez-vous français?
A storytelling and film-making project which this year will link London, Paris and Montreal. Sixth form students learn film making skills and produce a bi-lingual documentary about their city whilst also filming the visit of a storyteller to younger students. This project develops builds motivation to study another language as the emphasis is placed on using French in a real-life situation. The project also develops vocabulary and broadens cultural understanding.
The projects listed above are only a few of the exciting drama projects we offer. We can devise and develop projects which include physical theatre, circus skills, site specific projects, Shakespeare or Shakespeare revision, workshops around any set play text, introductions to well know theatre practitioners and their work, character work, forum theatre, storytelling, acting for camera, audition technique and preparation for the industry or use drama to explore other subjects on the curriculum.