Wednesday 26 June 2013

Give me a break!

When I was in my mid teens, I took part in a major theatre production organised by the youth group within the parish church I used to attend.  We adapted and staged Jonathan Livingstone The Seagull!

Among other leaders of the youth group, I was involved in all stages of the production, from the adaptation and building the script, to props, costumes and even choreographed one of the dances. It was a tremendously enriching experience that inspired me to take up Dance and Performing Arts, although later I was vigorously discouraged by my parents who couldn't see how a job in such sector could make me a rich and happy person - bless them!

One of the ideas that started seeding itself into my very core was to do more, combining youth and the arts, one of the ways - in my personal view - with which youngsters could have been kept away from the streets and avoid them getting in to trouble.

This idea never left me, even if I ended up doing something completely different later in life than I should have done.  While running these workshops now, and exploring the theory behind Drama with this small bunch of young people, that seed has come back reminding me that there's still time...


Nevertheless, I'm going to take a sabbatical period right now, to reflect on what has been done so far, and where we go from here! It is fair to do so because today last year I started this blog (the jouirney started a long time ago!) If You happen to know about Mercury going retrograde from today, You'll know approximately how long this period is going to last!

'Till next time!

Friday 21 June 2013

On Status!

A quick note on Wednesday's workshop (I seem to have lost track of time these days!)  Albeit a smaller number of attendees - teenagers are very busy people - we had one hour to explore the concept of Status in society.  One of the actors' first impression was to come up with the word authority, which sums it up!

Activities were based on who and why has authority in different scenarios and how Status can change within a situation, but not before linking this to Emotions and how to observe someone's status from their non-verbal communication.

I used an activity I found extremely interesting during one of many workshops I enjoyed with Pepper's Ghost some while ago.  French playing cards are handed out and, without showing the card to the others, the actors have to portrait the given Status on the card only through body language, face expression and eye contact (if applicable).  Status is directly proportional to the number / figure on the card, the ace being the lowest status and the king being the highest.  I gave it a twist, though, and handed out the Joker, too!   :D

They enjoyed taking their Status around twice, thankfully drawing different cards both times. It was amazing to see how they verbalised Status matters that are often taken for granted, coming up with amazing description and terms and really trusting their intuition.  In fact, at the end of each turn, they had to guess each other's Status, and they were amazing!

Not sure if I mentioned this already, but working with Pepper's Ghost, a theatre company based in Worlverton, Milton Keynes, has enriched and inspired me immensely.  I was very lucky to work with extremely talented people of different ages and from various backgrounds.  I did log my experience and feel I can draw from it safely like rummaging in a prop box and knowing exactly what to find!

On top of this, when I was dreaming to get into the magical world of Performing Arts through a youth project in the parish church I used to attend a few years back, I got hold of an interesting little book, which I later lost, along with my Dream.  This happened because I was not ready then to allow the Dream to take off.  Now, I bought it again and want to share it with You in case You also feel that working with Youth is one of the ways forward.

The booklet is entitled Act Out! Drama and role-play activities for young people and was written by Vanessa Rogers, published in the in the UK by the National Youth Agency (ISBN 0 86155 295 4)  It's a precious piece of writing to have at hand, although nowadays more activities can be downloaded with easy access to the Internet.

I'm still feeling a bit weird, though...

Sunday 16 June 2013

Emotions [4]

Here we are at the end of another exciting and weird week!

This week didn't see the script as the main protagonist of our workshop: young actors preferred to concentrate on Emotions, especially things that they observed in between our meetings, and transpose them into stage context, analysing in particular how to make them credible for the stage.

We also used music to explore Emotions and how it affects the way we feel, using a playlist made of music I was hoping they didn't know. It was interesting to see that most of the listed Emotions they came up with matched (they were divided in two groups), whereas for some other tracks they picked completely different feelings.  One of them even shared two tracks from their iPod, so we had ten pieces of music in total.

We then passed on to movement, linking this to non-verbal communication and how we express Emotions without words! It was very interesting to see how a feeling can be expressed through movement, even without being an experienced dancer.

This concept reinforces one of my deepest beliefs: that we are all capable of creating movement and rhythm - it's in our blueprint, it's just a talent that needs to be nurtured!  It was also beautiful to see how those who chose to use movement to express an emotion from their list did so safe in the knowledge that they were not judged or criticised: these young actors know that the space I created is safe, and that fills me with pure joy!

We're moving swiftly in to exploring Status next week but only for one hour!
Nevertheless, I have exciting activities that should sparkle discussion!

I have a lot more to share but I like leaving a bit of suspence every now and then, but I'm tired and not 100% myself at present, so I'll say good night and have a fab week ahead!  :)

Monday 10 June 2013

Emotions [3]

Keeping the momentum and anticipating next workshop, which is all ready to be shared with those amazing young actors.  We'll still be focusing on Emotions, hoping that some new faces will join in.  Thespians were given a "homework": to observe and take note of people's non-verbal communication in diverse situations.  This is going to be fun to share!  I'm also introducing a closing activity this time in line with non-verbal communication.  It'll be very interesting to see how far they've gone to explore Emotions and how we express them in daily life.

Next week and the week after, I decided to work on Status and therefore gently  introduce a bit of Stanislavski methodology. And that's June concluded.  July will most probably see our choreographer working on routines and exploring movement until the group breaks up for the summer holidays (school's out on the 24th in most UK counties!)

*

Inspiration keeps on flowing now that the door is open, so I wrote this today and with to dedicate it to all those out there on a Journey, just like me:

Look inside, my Child
You know
The very thing that makes You wild

You grow
You dare
This is the Life You always wished to share

Hold on
You're near
Don't You allow to spoil it by that fear

Believe
Instead
You can achieve whatever lies ahead

Just trust
Your Power
And see Your Passions blossom like a flower

And You
Will see
That You're already what You're meant to be.


My wish for all Human Beings is to face their True Passions and Desires, recognise them and just follow them - what are You waiting for?

I don't know where this Journey is going to lead me, to but I'm really enjoying working on it right now, with no rush!  And that's what's so beautiful, as well as how naturally it's all happening!

X

Sunday 9 June 2013

T-shirts sample... ^_^

Aha!  Here's another simple but effective piece of Art from our amazing Graphic Designer Stella that I need to share:



You might not find it any different from the original design but actually it is.  Look carefully:





This should work just fine to advertise workshops at the end of July! Doesn't it look professional?  To begin with, I wasn't sure whether to apply the design at the front or at the back of the T-shirt, then I thought the front it's probably more appropriate if You're also handing out flyers!

I'm investigating about how much it would cost to actually run a couple of  workshops during the Canal Festival, one in the morning and one in the afternoon... Will keep You posted!

These are very exciting times - did I write this already?  ;)

Thursday 6 June 2013

Emotions [2]

There's a lot more to what I managed to write last night about our workshop on Emotions... I usually never ever write straight away about something that excites me for two reasons: 1. ideas and/or outcomes get muddled up with the excitement, and 2. it becomes difficult to translate them into words!

Trust me when I say that what I wrote last night doesn't really give credit to what we experienced, and also doesn't show where the room for improvement is!

Some of the young actors who have been regularly attending workshops, managed to experience something new, something which was completely outside their comfort zone.  This also is what it's all about: taking risks, trying out something new, leaping into the Unknown! Aren't we all just?

As a director, I have spotted a few issues especially related to movement and expressing the so-called negative emotions, but we're still on an early stage and I don't really want to spoil it for the cast, although I cannot help it thinking that it'll be very interesting to see how Anger will be portrayed on stage! ;)


While I ponder on how to develop and improve teens' perception on Emotions and non-verbal communication, I'd like to confirm that the theatre is cancelled for July: there's still not enough actors and I don't fancy putting anyone under pressure - we're having far too much fun to spoil it!

Meanwhile, Stella is working on cutting the title of the play in order to print T-shirts and advertise the play on a forthcoming event in our town and, since I'm quite excited about it, I'm going to close this post right here!  Bye...

^_^

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Emotions!

Another great workshop: tonight we focused our attention on Emotions and ways in which we express them... Daunting? Naaaah...

I employed expertise gained while working with Pepper's Ghost's Director, Rosemary Hill, who is also a living inspiration to me, and throughout my Teacher Training and practice of Shakti Dance, the Yoga of Dance - let's say more or less seven years in total between these two experiences!

During the first hour, we worked very hard mainly exploring non-verbal communication and how to convey an emotion through body language, face expression and eye contact,  the difference between being ourselves and acting out (tying with Improvisation techniques, on which we've been working extensively since after auditions), with particular emphasis on certain emotions and why. This was then used during the second hour while reading the first act of the play, in order to convey certain emotions.

With a large group of characters in their teenage years, the play is a constant swing of moods and emotional roller-coasters  so it did help actors explore a little more in depth specific characteristics of emotions that we usually take for granted, if and how to control them.

I couldn't help myself to re-draw their attention to who they are at the end of each activity, obtaining highly valuable feedback from their own experience and the workshop itself.  My aim, from now on is to allow all young actors involved to exit the room as themselves, not as one of the characters they've been playing, so next focus will also be on closing activities.

I have also gained insights from Chris who seemed particularly keen to help them get them most from the workshop's content and aim, very precious stuff: I feel very blessed right now and full of gratitude for having a great Assistant Director beside me!

I feel so enriched by such talent, and it's also great, great fun!

Can't wait for next week's workshop...

Tuesday 4 June 2013

Official Email Address

My gratitude goes to Pam Kay from LinkedIn for believing in my project and suggesting to trust my guts and open an email account for Soul Creations, since A Day In The Medical Room isn't the only piece of writing I have done so far!

So, from now on, and on my spanking new business cards, the official email address for all my Soul Creations will be as follows:

soulcreations12@gmail.com

Use it well!

:)


PS. Pam, I hope You'll lend Your voice to one of the characters on the play!  ;)

Sunday 2 June 2013

Child Protection Policy

While it's all very exciting that we've started working on the entire script from this week (despite it being half-term week!) and Young Thespians being quite intrigued and very much amused, I thought it appropriate at this point to share the following document:

SOUL CREATIONS
Child Protection Policy
Our Staff recognise that it is a privilege to work with children and that it is also a great responsibility. It is understood that parents/carers trust our staff to look after their children during the time they spend working with Soul Creations.
1. Policy statement
1.1. The present policy was drawn in accordance to the Children Act 1989, The Protection of Children Act 1999 and the Children Act 2004, where a child is defined as "a person under the age of 18".
1.2. Soul Creations has a duty of care to safeguard from harm all children involved in its artistic activities.  All children have a right to protection: in particular, the needs of disabled children and people over the age of 18 who may be especially vulnerable due to mental or physical disability are taken hereby into account. 
1.3. Therefore, this Policy will employ the term "child/children" with reference to young people under the age of 18, whether disable or not, and "disabled adults" with reference to people over the age of 18 with a disabilty and taking part to activities with Soul Creations, who remains committed to their protection from harm whether engaged in theatrical performances, workshops or rehearsals.
1.4. Soul Creations will take the appropriate steps to ensure that children and disabled adults are not exposed to reasonably foreseeable risk of injury, whether to their physical or mental health and wellbeing, through adhering to the Child Protection guidelines as set out below. 

2. Policy aims
The aim of Soul Creations' Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice through:
2.1. Providing children and disabled adults with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of Soul Creations;
2.1. Allowing staff/volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

3. Child Protection Code of Conduct for Staff/Volunteers
All staff/volunteers involved with Soul Creations work will be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote children's and disabled adults' welfare and reduce the likelihood of allegations being made.
The Policy requires staff/volunteers to always:
3.1. work in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations) and encourage open communication with no secrets;
3.2. treat all children/disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity;
3.3. always put the welfare of each child/disabled adult first, before achieving goals;
3.4. maintain a safe and appropriate distance with actors where applicable (e.g. it is unacceptable for staff/volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child/disabled adult or to share changing rooms/rooms with them alone);
3.5. build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children and disabled adults to be directly involved in the decision-making process;
3.6. be an excellent role model, including not smoking, drinking alcohol or using impolite language during workshops/rehearsals, unless required by the script;
3.7. give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism;
3.8. recognise the developmental needs and capacity of children/disabled adults, avoiding straining actors with rehearsal time and not pushing them against their will, but creating an environment that enables children and disabled adults to learn and develop in a safe, understanding and encouraging environment;
3.9. challenge any form of bullyism;
3.10. encourage independence, imagination and creative thinking.

The Policy requires staff/volunteers to never:
3.11. engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay
3.12. share a room/changing room alone with a child/disabled adult
3.13. deal with arising Child Protection related issues by themselves and alone with a child/disabled adult
3.14. allow/engage in any form of inappropriate touching
3.15. challenge children's/young adults' inappropriate language/behaviour
3.16. make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
3.17. reduce a child/disabled adult to tears as a form of control
3.18. show favouritism
3.19. fail to act upon/record any allegations made by a child/disabled adult
3.20. do things of a personal nature that a child/disabled adult can do for themselves. If this is unavoidable, written parental consent must be obtained for staff/volunteers to act on behalf of the child/disabled adult, although staff/volunteers are required to keep talking with the child/disabled adult about what they're doing, and keep choices open wherever possible.

4. Health & Safety
Staff/volunteers will also:
4.1. nominate an appointed first aider that has to be present at every rehearsal and performance;
4.2. secure written parental consent to act in loco parentis, if the need arises, to administer first aid and/or other medical treatment or to call 999 in case of emergency, in the event a child/disabled adult might sustain an injury that requires immediate medical attention.  The parent/carer will be then contacted;
4.3. keep accurate written record of any injury that may occur, along with the details of any treatment given;
4.4. stay with a child/disabled adult in case a parent/carer is late in collecting them;
4.5. if manual/physical activities must take place during workshops/rehearsals, this will be kept to a minimum and according to activities;
4.6. involve parents/carers whenever possible, for example in managing the changing rooms during costume/technical rehearsals and during performances, as well as on touring routes, where applicable;
4.7. dividing actors in groups according to gender and age when allocating changing rooms for costume/technical rehearsals and during performances;
4.8. make sure that parents/carers of the same gender are allocated to respective changing rooms, for which Soul Creations will provide registers;

5. Use of mobile phones/digital cameras/video imaging
5.1. The use of electronic devices is thoroughly discouraged during rehearsals and performances for listening to music, texting and phoning and it will be expected that all electronic devices be switched off during rehearsals to keep concentration among actors flowing and distractions to a minimum.
5.2. In due time, Soul Creations will set a social platform on the Internet to share pictures and videos of the cast in action while rehearsals are work in progress, and understands that cast members will want to actively participate.
5.3. Therefore, video imaging and photography will be allowed only under strict supervision and with verbal authorisation from the Child Protection officer on a day-to-day basis.
5.4. This is to protect the image and privacy of every child/disabled adult, for images could potentially offend a particularly vulnerable child when edited in a social network.
5.5. Written consent from parents/carers will be sought prior to start rehearsals to allow their children to be on photographs or videos, for marketing use by Soul Creations and for the social platform as marketing tool.

6. Extra Commitments
6.1. Effective management of staff and volunteers will be given through supervision, support and training, where applicable, by the designated officer.
6.2. Soul Creations will ensure that procedures for recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers are rigorous and will also establish that all staff have CRB clearance, where applicable.
6.3. Soul Creations will also ensure that staff and volunteers respond appropriately should any type of abuse be discovered or disclosed. Any serious incident of abuse will be recorded on an incident report form, which will be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people only, in line with Data Protection laws.
6.4. Every possible effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. The information will only be shared between Soul Creations' designated Child Protection Officer, the parents/carers of the person alleged to be abused, the person making the allegation, social services and police.


If You have any concern about this policy, please contact Soul Creation at the following email address:


a.day.in.the.medical.room@gmail.com


This Child Protection Policy has no copyright so that people can copy it if inspired (there are just a few CP policies to cover children and young people in the Arts sector available online; the majority of them are related to Sports organisations and activities).

Hope this is helpful - feedback would be much appreciated, if anyone fancies giving some!  :)