“Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow. Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human. ”
— Malala Yousafzai
Theatre arts in education is so vital to the benefit of the student. People learn how to be more accepting, creative and kind by viewing the world through the arts and it is my ultimate belief we should fight for the importance of the arts across educational contexts.
When working in educational contexts I work primarily as a visiting drama practitioner. Though I am currently a part time tutor for Fife College.
Typically I have been commissioned by the school/college or I am in a role that involves creating meaningful engagement with schools/colleges and the company I am employed with.
To date I have worked across primary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities.
Project Neverland
The Royal Lyceum Theatre - Edinburgh
Project Neverland is a schools and community outreach programme that runs out of the creative learning department at The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, based on their main stage Christmas show which was Wendy and Peter Pan by Ella Hickson.
I was brought in as facilitator to run one of the school strands. I worked out of Pilrig Park in Edinburgh which is an additional supports needs school, therefore the project quickly became about sensory theatre and how the senses respond to various theatre art elements such as lights, sounds, textures, text and even smells.
The project culminated in performance with the school students going on fabulous and wild adventures to the blue lagoon where they met all kinds of characters and had the most wonderful picnic as well as a display of the sensory art works they created.
DISCOVER
Lyceum Theatre
Discover was a school outreach programme delivered by Creative Learning at The Royal Lyceum. Intially I became part of this project as an assistant I was then asked to take over the whole project. Becoming project manager and delivering the programme was a great opportunity and we successfully ran across three centres Venchie Arts in Niddrie, Craig Royston High school and Whale Arts Centre in Wester Hailes engaging with young people from primary 4 up to 6th year of High School.
Throughout the project the young people took part in various drama workshops and weekly classes, they also were taken on trips to the Lyceum.
The biggest highlight was that each group put on their own productions in which industry professionals were invited along to, as well as their family and friends.