Tuesday 24 February 2009

DRAMA WORKSHOP FOR 25 FEBRUARY

Names

Simon Says

Copy Cat - Sounds, moves, words

Physical warm up with music - move from each student, all to repeat for count of 8

Song - London's Burning

Mimes - Climbing ladder, rope and stairs. Walking tight rope, riding bike, rowing boat

Morning mimes (in mirror) - teeth, hair, washing, shaving, make-up, getting dressed

Walking - robots, silly walks - pick someone to copy

Freeze Frames - 2 Groups - letters, numbers, shapes. Pick winner each time

Emotions - As a group do some such as happy, sad, shy etc. Split group & guess

Snow White - 2 groups. 2 leaders to read as others mime & sound effects. Show to group

Goodbye and feedback!

Monday 23 February 2009

Meeting with the Head Master of Harford Manor School

:)

Met with Geoff Kitchen to discuss a student competition to design a crocodile for the logo for my company.
We discussed my future plans and Mr Kitchen suggested that I may like to teach as part of the after school activities club starting from September. He also suggested that I do a 'summer challenge', where the children spend all day every day for a week rehearsing for a performance at the end of the week. Both these ideas are subject to the school applying for funding to pay me.

They have also agreed to hold a competition for my crocodile logo which I will visit the school and judge on 31 March!
My mind is now buzzing with ideas for teaching! I am thinking of a panto at Christmas and a musical for the end of the year. And the summer challenge???!!! Lots to think about!

I now need to contact Mike Skulski (after school activities co-ordinator) to send him my cv.

Watch this space....................:)

Thursday 12 February 2009

Yesterday evening I........


......spent four hours with a group of 30 people with physical and learning disabilities. They meet every Wednesday evening in North Walsham and the group is part of Mencap. Anne Indge runs the group and had invited me to join the 'Valentines Disco' to get to know the group before arranging a future drama workshop.

Anne introduced me to everyone and all members made me feel very welcome. They were all excited to hear that I would be doing some drama with them.

They have previously performed Grease and The Wizard of Oz. Their friends, relatives and carers came to watch and the events were talked about very positively. It was even suggested that they would be very interested for me to direct a show in the future.

After a night on the dance floor, I arranged to telephone Anne to book the drama workshop we had discussed. I am hoping to book it for Wednesday 25 February.

It was invaluable for me to meet the group prior to holding the workshop. I now know levels of ability and the venue etc. They also know me! Which is a real advantage, as trust is a must with this client group.

I am nervous but excited. I am hoping the group will agree to being filmed.

Work Placement Opportunity

I contacted HeartnSoul - A theatre company in London for people with disabilities - about a possible work placement. Rebecca replied asking for a little info about me and my interest in Disability Arts......this is a copy of the email I sent.....

Hi Rebecca

I worked in the care sector, training and NVQ assessing for some time and I worked at a local college, arranging work placements for young people with special needs.

This was before I decided to go to university. I am a mature student.....31 years old.

I studied performing arts at college. I regularly act for local theatre companies and I teach drama for children aged 6-16 at 'TheatreTrain'.

I have recently started to get involved with disability arts on a voluntary basis and would love the opportunity to come and work 'hands on' with you.

I have a CRB by the way. Let me know if you would like my cv.

Thanks
Sarah

Monday 9 February 2009

And to help me prepare....

A wonderful book about teaching drama to people with special needs!

It covers communication, concentration, trust, feelings, sounds & rhythm, improvisation, confidence, movement & dance, voice, mime, characterisation and working towards a performance.

I will be working through it and making notes.

It looks like a great book for ideas!

And this is why I need help with a crocodile logo!


I think the children will do a much better job! And of course it gives me a chance to meet them :)

Email to special needs schools in Norwich


Dear ..............

I am a second year Visual Studies student at Norwich Arts School.

I am starting a theatre company for children with special needs in Norwich.

It is called 'The Crocodile Theatre Company' and I would like to involve children in designing the logo and website.

I need pictures of crocodiles! And was wondering if a competition for pupils could be held at the school?

I think it would be great to have the children involved and I would be happy to come to the school and do a theatre workshop or just explain what I am looking for and how the children could be involved.

I have a CRB and experience of teaching young people with special needs.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
Sarah

Friday 6 February 2009

Email to Grapic Design

Thank you Lucy.......

A logo is needed for the company which is 'The Crocodile Theatre Company' (performing arts for children with special needs) It is one of many projects to be run by 'Lets Pretend'.

For the logo, I need the font to be 'childlike' and I am in search of an approprite drawing of a crocodile. I need to decide on colours as well.

With this logo, I then need to design the website, leaflets and ads for publications. I also need to design t-shirts.

I would be very interested to speak to anyone taking graphic design who would be willing to help me with ideas.

Unfortunately I am unable to pay at this time but names could be mentioned on my leaflets, website etc.

Regards
Sarah
From: Lucy Blazey [mailto:l.blazey@nsad.ac.uk]Sent: Tue 03/02/2009 15:32To: Sarah RoatSubject: Re: Professional Branding
HiYou need to come up with a brief of exactly what you require and then I can circulate it around the students.Lucy On 03/02/2009 13:16, "Sarah Roat" <Sarah.Roat@student.nuca.ac.uk> wrote:
HiMy tutor recommended that I contact you. I am a second year Visual Studies student.I am starting a theatre company for children with special needs. I need professional standard branding. Is there anyone who would be willing to help me please? It needs to be fun, colourful and childlike. I have some ideas but really need to work with someone from Graphics.ThanksSarah

Tuesday 3 February 2009

And to get some real experience.....

Hooray....I have been given contact details for someone who runs sessions for adults and children with special needs in North Walsham. She would be interested in me holding a drama workshop! It can be filmed and used as evidence when applying for funding for 'The Crocodile Theatre Company'. I have emailed Graphic Design to ask for help with professional branding. This is very exciting!