CURRENT PROJECTS

If you'd like to get an idea of what we're currently working on, here are some of our recent projects and highlights.

Tondu Primary School Eco Day

Our Drama and Visual Arts department recently took part in Tondu Primary School's Eco Day. The school has been awarded a Green Flag for their Environmental policies within the school. The Eco Day was filled with lots of activities for the pupils, including our workshops where the pupils created characters in the forest, painted rainbow murals and learnt about the environment through creativity.

On the day Year 6 also performed their drama piece Fairytales in the Forest, which they have been working on with our Drama Development Worker Alyson Evans. This drama was based on well-known fairytales but adapted to the modern day with their own twists. The play was due to take place outside in the forest, but with the rain we were forced inside on the day. The play was still a success though, and as soon as the sun comes out again it will be performed out in the woods.

Tondu Primary School

Work will be continuing this year at Tondu Primary School. The workshops will be focussing on arguments and conflicts, exploring if there are 2 sides to every story. Methods such as improvisation, mime and image will be used to develop drama skills and link with the pupils' English studies.

Ogmore Vale Primary School

A new project for 2008 is at Ogmore Vale Primary School. The project will start with a day long session taking place with two classes, which will then come together at the end of the day to perform for each other. It's a lot to get done in one day, but I’m sure the pupils will rise to the occasion!

Building on this, workshops will take place every week to develop and build confidence and promote working together.

The Art Of Inclusion

This is our Drama Development project in the Bridgend area, working with young people and exploring a range of youth and health issues through drama and dialogue. The project is funded by Cymorth and we are working in partnership with our Local Health Board.

In the first month of the project kick-starting back after the summer, workshops after school have just begun in Ynysawdre and Cynffig Comprehensive Schools working with young people around health. These workshops will look at relationships and fitting in, giving the young people a chance to voice their opinions and experiences through different styles of drama. Once these issues are explored the groups will create a performance to be performed to their school or to the wider community. Alison O'Connor is working on anger management at Ogmore Comprehensive School with a group of young people, with workshops exploring building relationships, team work and dealing with anger.

We are also working in partnership with Bridgend Youth Offending Team in this project, working with Karen Francis in full day workshops in local schools and facilitating self-esteem workshops. These sessions will focus on building confidence and will aim to create a safe environment where the young people can share their experiences to create a piece of Forum Theatre. These issues will then be explored through the forum, with the group working together to find solutions.