Project Leaders:

Graham Kirby
Lorna Robinson

PROJECT PLAN:

The project will start working with Hackney schools in January 2008.
To work with two classes (size 30 maximum) to produce two abridged classical plays for performance in Term 3.

In Term 2, volunteers from UCL and project leaders will lead a series of short workshops on Greek drama (40-60 minutes), looking into the relationship between Greek and modern theatre; the mythology of Greek Drama; Tutors will also look at more general performing arts skills, in conjunction with relevant school teachers.

A visit for each class by participating schools to the University of London Festival of Greek Drama to see the workings of a professional theatre and to meet student actors.

Projects leaders will work with class teachers and pupils to select cast, crew and back stage participants.

Throughout May and June projects leaders will run rehearsals and assist pupils with performing arts skills.

Invitations to London primary schools.

On July 7th (Term 3) there will be a performance at The UCL Bloomsbury Theatre.

On July 16th, there will be a performance in the schools themselves.

BENEFITS:

Following on from the successful partnership Latin teaching in partnership with UCL students, the project aims to promote classics and classical theatre in schools and communities who might otherwise be not have access to the subject and work with them on their performing arts skills.

Generally the benefits of regular, high quality performing arts provision in an educational environment include:

Stimulation of creative thinking
Developing performing arts skills
Increased confidence
Improvement in listening
Enhancement of concentration and communication skills
Better teamwork and collaboration amongst pupils
Enhanced powers of self-expression.

Greek drama is inextricably linked with the themes of the individual plays, such as civic and social responsibility, that link into the school curriculum. The project aims to bring out the connection between theatre, art and society. Therefore the project will aim to:

Improve knowledge of Greek theatre and the classical world
Introduce themes such as mythology and its importance
Increase awareness of social and political issues involved in theatre

Link such issues into core curriculum.

Also the project will introduce the children to working in a professional theatre environment and experience a portion of university life.

For details of the production, click here

Back to the Hackney Ancient Theatre page, click here