‘What distinguishes one from someone else must be something valuable’ This sense of ‘something valuable’ can be gained through participation in the arts, as can the recognition that enables people to form stronger self-confidence, self-respect and self-esteem.
Our workshops are designed to read the spaces between people, to hear what isn’t said. Their aim is to engage, to work with and ultimately for participants to take control of their own learning. Our inclusive, non-judgemental approach can develop resilience, confidence, respect, empathy and aspiration.
Spectacle Theatre Ltd was instrumental in the development of Forum Theatre practice in Wales, going on to develop its own techniques for working with young people and communities. This work developed in partnership with Leeds TIE Company has become known as ACTIVE THEATRE.
Active theatre is particularly useful when working with vulnerable young people and those seeking employment, education and training (SEET).It gives the participants freedom to express and develop a viewpoint in the knowledge they are protected inside of the drama.
Using Active Theatre we create and deliver bespoke workshops for all ages
Wellbeing / healthy relationships
Changing bullying and cyber bullying behaviour
Alcohol and substance awareness
Presentation skills
Mental ill health and Dementia
Risky behaviour
We use these techniques to create participatory projects that improve Social cohesion, and carry out Consultation with Communities and Young people. More Info
Workshop structureEach workshop will last for a designated time (from fifty minutes to two hours) and comprise of the following;
Warm up games, fun energetic and introducing the themes
Short scene stimulus ( e.g depicting a parent and school child disagreeing over an event, why something is in the child’s room etc.)
The participants will be facilitated in responding to the scene and to fill in the gaps from their own experience.
This scene will be looked at from several viewpoints, the adult, the child, siblings, step parent, youth worker, school nurse etc
We will explore cause and effect and its relationship to behaviour
We will then explore how the scene can be changed to find an appropriate course of action that meets each person’s needs.
This will include who else could we speak with, turn to for advice and support either professional or peers , signposting to appropriate agencies etc.
Closing and thanking the students for their participation
The central area we will explore is dependent on the theme (e.g. healthy relationships, bullying, risky behaviour, or substance misuse). The following example is for a healthy relationship active theatre workshop
What constitutes a healthy relationship with others?
What do we mean by trust and respect?
How and where can we seek help and support?
How do we know the information that we acquire about healthy relationships is trustworthy or factual?
We expect the participants in the workshop to raise issues regarding ‘sexual relationships’,’ Alcohol and substance misuse’, ‘internet bullying’, dealing with parents, carers and guardians’, ‘Peer pressure’ The specific nature of the workshop will ultimately depend on the group and its interest.
Each workshop will be different in its general content but will cover the above themes.
Staff hold current enhanced CRB certificates and are trained in child protection and working with vulnerable adults.