secondary Programs
Shakespeare Lives (English and Drama classes): Using three scenes from a Shakespearean play (often the one being studied at the time) students will learn how to draw character, relationship and action from the text. Speaking aloud, playing characters and savouring the imagery will give students a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s works the way they were intended to be experienced: spoken, heard and seen. This workshop can include armed stage combat; an addition that works well when studying Romeo and Juliet.
Theme Theatre (History, Geography, Civics, Interdisciplinary Studies and Drama Classes): Using drama, students will explore a social justice or global awareness issue. The teacher or artist will suggest a theme and the workshop will be tailor-made to suit the theme and teachers’ learning outcomes. The following workshop is an example of Theme Theatre:
The Cost of War: A dramatic exploration of fear, trauma, resistance and courage in the face of extreme conflict. What is it to be displaced? To be persecuted? To be attacked in one’s own home? What is it to live through a war? Using visual art, music and newspaper articles as a springboard for dramatic creation, students will respond to a diversity of perspectives of soldiers and civilians in times of war. Through role play, improvisation, tableaux, movement and writing in role, students will be challenged to bring their own opinions and imaginations to this workshop.
Drama Specialization (Drama Classes): This workshop is designed to enhance drama classes with professional expertise in a particular area of theatre creation or performance. This immersive workshop will leave students with a detailed understanding of one area of theatre practice or technique. Teachers will be provided with resources to repeat the lesson in the future.
drama Workshops include:
“Erin is a disciplined and rigorous artist who sets high standards for herself and in doing so, she knows how to guide students to the attainment of new heights for themselves.”- John Van Burek, AD Pleiades Theatre, Speak the Speech Program
Play Adaptation (Drama Classes): Students will learn to adapt alternative source material such as music, paintings, picture books and myths, into plays. On their feet, students will practice isolating elements of the source material, drawing on its strengths to develop their own approach to theme, character and plot. By the end of this workshop, students will have a comprehensive understanding of adaptation.