How do we run our children’s workshops?

The School of Creativity is gearing up to open its doors in Oxford this summer – for the six weeks of the summer holidays we’ll be running creative drama courses and workshops for children aged 6-16. But how does the magic happen? Read on to hear from some of our ‘Professors of Creativity’.

Summer Holiday Courses in Oxford

First up, Ryan gives us an insight into the planning:

“For every Put on a Play in a Week workshop we prepare three different story options, one of which our budding actors will choose to spend their week making into a play, ready to delight their families in performance on the Friday.

For our Leaders, the majority of the preparation is in deciding which stories to offer and then getting to know them like the backs of their hands – you never know which one will be picked!

There’s always a Shakespeare option in there (Macbeth, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are among my favourites) for which you’ll need a heavily edited script. Then the two other options are down to the leader to decide, they could be scripted or devised and the world is their oyster when it comes to stories.

Well known and loved stories such as King Arthur or The Greek Myths are great as it allows the kids to take their favourite bits and devise the story from that, making the story their own.”

Put on a Play in a Week in Oxford

So that’s Ryan’s perspective, how about another of our regular ‘Professors’ Eloise:

“The first step I feel in leading a workshop is to get the group on their feet and doing something silly, whether it is a game of tag, a crazy warm up – anything that gets the group working together as a team whatever their ages. Often these are chosen by the actors, but I personally like to start with a drama-based improv game such as Werewolf, in which you are a villager tasked with trying to locate and exile the werewolf that is sitting amongst you; very tense(!) I love to do this because it already gets them all thinking about their character, their alibi and shows them how they can improv without the pressure of getting up and “performing”, as it can be nerve wracking for people, especially if it is your first ever time doing a play.

Next, we chose our play, now this is a task in itself, but thankfully, the group vote for this from a selection between three options. These are all classic texts, from your traditional Shakespeare to the more niche choices such as Chekov (if you’re feeling a bit adventurous). I like to find some different stories, not just in the English cannon, from Dutch children’s book to folk stories, I am constantly on the lookout for different choices.

Once chosen, I like to look at characterisation – the way you hold yourself and the way your voice sounds has a huge effect on your character. We look at vocal technique and physical theatre practices through games. These methods and techniques really get the groups thinking and pushing themselves as performers.  From there, it’s a case of working as a team toward the final show for friends and grownups, I like to work as a company of actors. We take regular breaks, play games but the overarching focus is the play itself. It’s very much a collaborative effort the children come up with their own lines and create the set through physical theatre pieces as well as making props for their shows out of recycled materials.

The workshops are fun, fast paced and very much an ensemble effort. We can’t wait to get back to it!”

Creation are delighted to be back this summer with six weeks of action-packed workshops at St Andrew’s Church and Wolvercote School for 6-8s, 9-12s and 13-16s. Workshops are £190 a week and run Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. To book please click here, or call us on 01865 766266.