For year 9 and 11 students who are making choices

Choices focuses on the huge amount of options or ‘choices’ available to pupils in year 9 and 11. From apprenticeships, vocational college, sixth form and beyond. It highlights different learning styles and the fact everybody has strengths and weaknesses. The show helps students understand the importance of making the right option choices for them based on a well informed decision. The performance is adaptable for both year 9 and year 11 students, with regards GCSE and post 16 options respectively. This edition has been updated in response to the EBAC and wolf paper accordingly.

Now even more than ever young people have decisions to make about their future and this show is an entertaining and informative way to help young people move towards making the right decisions.

Keys Aims

• Raise awareness of choices available to year 9 students at key stage 3
• Raise awareness of choices available to year 11 students at post 16
• Encourage individuals to make a well informed realistic decision for their next steps
• Promote resources such as career advisors, teachers, and significant others to help in choosing option choices
• Use pre- released character videos to show insights into worries and fears of options before the show

The History of “ Choices”
Originally commissioned by Telford and Wrekin Council, the show was supported with media resources on YouTube that gave a pre and post show update of the characters. This was an interactive element that allowed teachers and students the opportunity to get to know characters from the show and decide for themselves what option routes they would choose before actually seeing the show.

The Show was delivered to High schools across Telford and Wrekin in January and February 2011 and was very well received by staff and pupils alike. Since touring, the feedback has been very positive, with over 80% of young people saying the show helped them with their options, what’s more interesting is 100% of young people thought that a theatre production was the best way to get the message across about choices.

“I think the drama is fantastic – it really engages the students – all the school teaching staff who watched the performance said afterwards how good it was and asked if we can have it again for more students” Kate Watt (Inclusion Manager at the UCA Academy)

A hard-hitting theatre show for secondary schools  - Ages 13 – 15

The show follows the plight of two young mums as they come to terms with their pregnancy, the tough choices they have to make and their relationships with loved ones, family members and most importantly the dads of  their babies.

• The script was produced using real testimonies from real teenage parents
• Audiences are presented with the real life scenarios the Mum’s encountered
• It captures the reaction of their parents, grandparents and the fathers of the children
• A harsh insight into the barriers they faced and the realisation that being a teenage parent isn’t a free ride
• The hopes and fears for the future, and how their aspirations had to change

TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS - HAVE YOU SEEN THE SHOW? PLEASE TAKE OUR ONLINE SURVEY HERE

YOUNG PEOPLE – CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR ONLINE FEEDBACK SURVEY

More than just a piece of theatre…
Having ‘Expecting more’ performed at school is an opportunity to invite other agencies to address the young people.  So far drug and alcohol awareness groups, school nurses, connexions, pregnancy crisis centres, health zone workers and even teenage parents themselves have all been part of raising awareness, supporting the young people and driving the message home.

Project  History… TO VIEW THE Tackling teenage pregnancy case study CLICK HERE

2engage Performing Arts were approached by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaCC) in the summer of 2010 with a requirement to address the issue of teenage pregnancy through theatre (a form that is proven accessible for the young people).

Initial funding was granted to write/produce a short (10 minute) play based on the real testimonies of teenage parents, to be performed at the Cheshire Teenage Pregnancy conference.   The research was done through a series of workshops and interviews held at the Youth hub in Ellesmere Port. 2engage were able to interview several  teenage parents from Cheshire (pictured below) and use their statements to commence with the writing of a verbatim piece of theatre about teenage pregnancy.

The piece received much Feedback from delegates at the conference, all being extremely positive. Due to the impact of the piece and interest roused amongst delegates at the conference, CWaCC commissioned further research along with the production of a 30 minute piece of theatre to tour West Cheshire Schools and colleges.

the show has been proposed as a priority by the Teenage Pregnancy Steering Group and the Children’s Trust Board to make this an early intervention initiative. In Autumn 2011 18 shows have were performed in schools and colleges across West Cheshire.

The show was described as:
“Hard-hitting”
“Entertaining, pitched at the right level and very entertaining”
“Honest, accurate and thought provoking”

A theatre production for year 6 pupils based on careers

Overview:  A theatre in education performance for year 6 students looking at careers funded by Connexions and Aimhigher Cheshire and Warrington

Key Aims

• Identifying different jobs and roles in and around our borough and progression
• Raising participation levels for higher and further education.
• Dispelling myths about gender and background stereotypes.
• Looking at interdependence, global dimensions on business
• Alternative education pathways; apprenticeship, vocational and college
• Transition from primary to secondary school

Outcome
Funded by Connexions and Aimhigher Cheshire and Warrington, this show was delivered to a number of primary schools at a celebration event at Whitby High. Aimed at primary school leavers the show introduces pupils to a variety of jobs and roles in the work place. From an F1 driver to fashion model, the show breaks down common myths and stereotypes surrounding certain jobs and gives audiences a ‘behind the scenes’ look into the real jobs available out there and the roles and responsibilities that are required for a mix of profession.

The performance touches upon job progression, gaining qualifications and climbing the career ladder and why jobs are not just for girls or boys but for everyone willing to work hard enough. Using theatre for education 2engage take audiences on a journey around a typical town centre meeting and greeting a variety of characters on the way in this interactive and accessible show based on careers.

2engage performing at the Telford conference

Case Study:
Telford 14-19 Conference 2011 “ Educational inputs, Employment outputs”

Overview:
To create 2 Bespoke performances to open and close the conference

Keys Aims

• · Pressures facing education, English Baccalaureate, league tables, qualification pathways
• · Pressure facing employment, Strikes, de-motivated workforce, job cuts
• · Engage delegates through performance
• · Provoke debate and discussion through content of show

Outcome

Telford and Wrekin council approached 2engage to create 2 bespoke performances at this year’s Educational inputs Employments output conference for the 14-19 agenda in Telford.

The first show entitled “ ready to learn” kicked off the conference for the delegates covering issues such as the English baccalaureate, league tables, qualifications pathways and the pressures that face education at the present time.  The second show bookended the conference dealt with issues in employment, such as job losses, de-motivated work force and strikes. “ ready to work” like the first performance used colourful characters, humour mixed with poignant moments to engage the delegates and stimulate debate amongst them.

Feedback from the conference was fantastic .Jeff Mason, the organiser of the event said “The pieces themselves were well written, perceptive, humorous, overwhelmingly engaging and performed with great aplomb by the three cast members.”

If you are planning a conference and you would like a fresh approach that will engage participants, why not get in touch with us.  We create bespoke packages that work within your requirements to make you conference stand out from the rest.

More on conferences here

Graduate employability workshops at Bolton University

2engage were approached by Bolton University to deliver a series of workshops to graduates focusing on interview techniques. These 2 hour interactive sessions provided participants with an opportunity to discuss, debate and implement behavioural interviewing techniques. The workshop was a chance to overcome fears, develop confidence and to role play interviews in a safe environment. The sessions were a resounding success with candidates noting that the sessions built up their confidence and helped to motivate them for upcoming interviews and job opportunities.

Attending candidates are lead through a process that draws upon drama techniques. For many undertaking interviews it can be a nerve racking experience and drawing on theatrical techniques enables candidates to build confidence and self esteem and develop new skills like public speaking  in a supportive environment.

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Case Study: ‘HALO Project’ A series of workshop that aims to connect with students who are struggling with secondary education;  and have become disengaged with their studies in and out of school.

Overview: Improve young people’s awareness of how core school subjects are relevant and important and can be used as a tool to communicate and function in everyday life.

Key Aims:

• Encourage disengaged teenagers to recognise the importance of school and education
• Use forum theatre to enable exploration into managing anger issues causing expulsion
• Improve young people’s self esteem, confidence and aspirations
• facilitate a session that helps young people deal with conflict resolution in and out of school

Outcome:

The project started with a workshop session that sought to build a rapport with the young people and allow them to gain confidence within themselves and the group.  This part of the process was crucial to the success of the project.  In total, a series of 5 workshops were held and each one very different to the next in a bid to maintain full engagement in the project.

Using image and forum theatre we allowed the young people to examine situations like shop lifting, violence and bullying from other people perspectives.  Snippets of theatre in education were shown to the young people and this created a dialogue for debate on why adults are seen to judge young people.  A local police officer came along to one of the workshops and  the perceptions of both parties were challenged.  A fantastic result to see a the young people building rapport with the police.

An introduction workshop to Stanislavski

Constantin Stanislavski was a Russian actor and playwright.  He is best known for his acting ‘system’ – a framework for actors developed through his book (An Actor Prepares).  Stanislavski’s system is well known around the world and has influenced many actors and theatre practitioners since. The techniques and exercises found in this framework can be witnessed in many modern approaches by actors and directors today and especially in the film industry.

Participants will gain a basic understanding of Stanislavski and his techniques.  The workshop highlights some of the key techniques from his system covering ‘emotion memory’, ‘the method’, physical action, motivation and objectives and the magic if.  These techniques are introduced through a progression of practical exercises to help participants get to grips with Stanislavski’s techniques and create their own work using these approaches.

Benefits

• This workshop is ideal for GCSE and A-level | As-Level students studying Drama or Performing Arts
• Participants are given practical examples to work through and techniques are reinforced by theoretical insights
• Participants are encouraged to create their own work using the Stanislavski ‘system’
• This workshop can be delivered alongside other key practitioners found in the GCSE and A-level or As-Level syllabus

THIS WORKSHOP IS  AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND –  PLEASE CLICK TO BOOK OR FOR MORE INFORMATION