The Phoenix Experience

From a script without structure, characters, scenes or themes, participants will create a polished theatre performance. From monologues, dialogues, narrations, movement, silence, truths and some props, the actors will share leadership, make choices, laugh, and prove that the sum of a play is far more than its parts. All that's needed is a space to rehearse and perform and minimal technical backup. This workshop can be done in 2 days, 1 day or over 4 periods.

Into the Castle

Together, we will take a "heart" approach to the classroom and the school production in drama, theatre and play building. Writing monologues inspired their dreams will help participants discover the ritual of theatre, how our social and mental health is used, the role of choices, the gifts we can share and the seven fears of actors. The participants will never think of theatre in the same way after this workshop! This workshop can be run in three-hour sessions, or tailored to suit the needs of the participants.

The Doors Project

The Doors Project empowers students to create, write, rehearse, produce and perform a play based on their own stories, in front of a selected audience. They will create the show by answering these key questions:
What is my truth? Can I express it? Can I share it?
Who is the audience? What do they want? What do we want to give them?
Who "owns" the work? The actors? The director? The playwrights? The udience?
What is the performance goal? How do we get there?
This project fulfills many Overall and Specific Expectations of the Ontario Dramatic Arts curriculum. It may be linked with students in the other education panel, if desired, in class time or as a co-curricular project.

Bullying: Ending the Cruelty

Drama and dance activities are used to develop empathy in students. Strategies to increase student awareness of the various reasons for bullying and the consequences of it for both victim and bully will be shared. This workshop can be geared for junior/intermediate or intermediate/senior students. Length: 2 hours to half day.

Team-Building through Drama and Movement

This workshop can be used by businesses and/or by teachers to develop a sense of group identity and confidence and to increase the communication skills of their employees and/or students. Laughter with a focus will engage the participants in an active learning session guaranteed to break down barriers and promote a more positive working relationship. Length: 2 hours, half day, full day

Making Meaningful Rubrics in the Arts

Make better rubrics for (and with) your students, align rubrics with tasks, curriculum expectations and achievement charts. Learn new applications for rubrics. The process of developing and applying the rubric is as important as its content. Other expectations can also be met through this drama unit. Sample rubrics, a bibliography and a list of games and activities are included for assessing student achievement to align with the Achievement Charts for the Arts.

We Are What We Were: Drama and History

Peter Moore will show how expectations in Dramatic Arts and History can be met simultaneously as he explores docudrama, the local museum as a classroom and how to use historical sources to enhance both subject areas. Topics could include the year 1917, dinner with Laura Secord, or the Yukon Gold Rush. Grade-specific workshops can be custom-designed.

Photos from 2008 AITA / IATA International Children's Theatre Festival, Moscow, Russia. Courtesy of Auri Jürne.