Theatre Partnership Projects

Year 8 Theatre Experience at Norwich Playhouse

Once again, it was brilliant to see our students fill the entire Norwich Playhouse Theatre, have fun and learn from other cultural experiences through performance. The Playhouse Theatre staff praised our students on how well they participated as an audience with the actors from the Gomito Theatre Company and I am sure they will remember their experience of ‘Flor de Muerto’, for some time to come.

In the afternoon students continued their 'Theatre Experience', as part of our collapsed curriculum day, by working together in teams to play the enterprise theatre game, where students competed to design and make the best theatre presentation.

What the students thought:

“I didn’t expect to see 4 actors playing 30 different people!. I also did not expect it to be so colourful”   Stan

“I learnt about Mexicans celebrating the day of the dead and how you can have little props but still make the performance great!”  Anon

“When I heard about this I didn’t think it would be any good but in the end I really enjoyed it!”  Autumn

“It showed what other different cultures celebrate during the year.”  Kelly

“It was different because it was very imaginative and sad in parts.”  Holli

“I learnt that they celebrate death in Mexico.”  Cameron

Margaret Quigley
Assistant Headteacher

The Start Project

The ‘Start’ project is funded through the Prince's Foundation for Children and Arts to provide young people with cultural learning opportunities through the Arts.  We are one of seven schools in Norfolk who will be participating in the project over the coming year.

At the heart of the Start Project is the aim to make cultural venues accessible for young people and encourage them to continue to engage in their local theatres and performance venues after the project finishes. It will provide students with opportunities to visit local theatres and attend at least two performances.

How The Start Project Helps Our Students

• Enriches students learning through cross curricular opportunities in English and Performing Arts;
• Supports students’ to develop their creative and critical thinking skills;
• Develops students’ personal, learning and thinking skills;
• Promotes personal learning.

New Start Project Programme for 2010 - 2011

We are delighted to have been invited to take part in the third Start Project Programme for the new academic year. This year's fabulous programme will offer all of our new Year 8 students the opportunity to watch and enjoy two very exciting performance theatre productions at the Norwich Playhouse and to meet the actors and producers involved, during two special, pre-show visits. The first of the shows was 'Flhip Flhop' performed by talented dance and performance artists; Matt Bailey and Joey D, who form the Rannel Theatre Company. Students were given the opportunity to see this show on 29th September.

 

The second show in the programme is 'Flor de Muerto' presented by Gomito Productions, where the Mexican Day of the Dead becomes a scary day for a boy with an overactive imagination. Students will be able to watch and enjoy this inventive theatre group in March.

 

Both performances are scheduled to take place on collapsed curriculum days and will be act as creative starting points for imaginative and interactive, cross-curricular work.

Year 8 Theatre Trip to Norwich Playhouse

Year 8's second theatre visit this year was to see ACE dance at the Playhouse Theatre where the company performed 'SWITCH' an exciting blend of dance, music and visuals. From the question and answer session with the dancer students learnt that:

• "Lighting and effects are important and enhance a performance"
• "I learnt how people could use their bodies and facial expressions to create movements that relate to what the dance was about"
• "Dance is emotional and passionate"
• "They use inspiration from ballet and African dance"
• "I thought it was really unique"
• "It was really fast and the choreography was great"
• "It made my heart jump and beat very fast, wow wee!"
• "ACE stands for African Cultural Exchange"
• "Dancing can be for boys and girls"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirational Creative and Cross-Curricula Opportunities for All Year 8 through English and Performance Theatre

Following our successful engagement with The Start Project this year, we have a really exciting offer to make to all our Year 8 students.

 

The new offer will enable all Year 8 students to experience two live productions and pre-show talks by actors and writers to develop students learning skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. English and Drama staff are working in collaboration to devise cross curricular learning on the theme of ‘Gothic’ looking at both literature and production.

 

Through the performances, pre-show visits and cross curricula work students will be able to experience professionals in action close up, learn about writing, how to devise plays, stories and productions, enjoy, build self-confidence and to get involved in wider cultural activities.

 

The project begins early in September with a special assembly on ‘ghost writing’ by Norfolk’s Rose playwright Bart Lee. This will be followed by a whole year group visit to the Playhouse to watch the gothic ghost story on Wednesday 30th September.

 

'Norfolk's Rose' tells the chilling tale of a childhood lost, murder, and betrayal set between the present time and 1800s, and explores Gothic themes of suspense and the supernatural...

Rannel Theatre Company - Successful Trip

Following a hugely successful assembly visit by the dance production company Rannel, a group of 100 Year 8 students went to the Norwich Playhouse on 24th February to watch the company perform. The trip was enjoyed by all and gave lots of insights and food for thought.

Students feedback responses included;
 
What did you learn about Rannel Dance? Preparation? Rehearsal? Work ethic?

• That you can use other bits of your body to make music
• That you can learn to beatbox
• That hip/hop  / dance  /  rap isn’t “chavvy” or “cheesy”
• That it is hard to Dance and beatbox and the timing is hard

What did you enjoy about the dance element of the project? Least like?

• I loved the music
• It was really organised – so the performance flowed
• Break dancing was really good
• Exciting to watch them dance and all the different moves

Rannel Theatre Company

Have a look at Rannel!! They will perform a section of this work for the Year 8 Assembly in the new year as well as talking about their experiences, the work and answering questions, etc. The visit will take place in January 2009 as part of preparations for the next theatre experience at The Garage where students will see Rannel Theatre Company. Further details to follow.

Visit the Rannel website>>

Beatbox, Hip-Hop, Breakdance and More...

Following the success of the Romeo and Juliet theatre experience at Norwich Playhouse, we are now planning a school visit by the Dance Artist, Banxsy, who will introduce our Year 8s to the fun of Beatbox, Hip-Hop, Breakdance and more. The visit will take place in January 2009 as part of preparations for the next theatre experience at The Garage where students will see Rannel Theatre Company. Further details to follow.