Pupils - Drama
MakeBelieve Arts
MakeBelieve Arts (MBA) has run a series of projects for Sage. These included a very successful Boys' Project, which was run initially in Rangefield and St John Baptist Primary Schools and was then taken to Launcelot.
The project explored what makes a group or team work. It included work on stage fighting and the production of a magazine. From the start it was clear to MBA workshop leaders that some of the boys involved found it difficult to work together as a team, which is a prerequisite for any theatre company. To help with this they worked on co-operative games, to try to bring the young people together, rather than driving them apart with competitive games. This boosted the boys' self esteem and their confidence in their ability to participate.
MBA also worked in Sage Primary Schools with the Drama in the Literacy Hour Project. All of the schools received the project and MBA helped teachers to continue to use the techniques in their classes, as well as developing their skills in teaching the curriculum through the medium of drama.
From September 2004 a new drama project was developed for Nursery and Reception, with new books and techniques; alongside this there was a series of twilight sessions and visits to classes to support the teacher in the classroom. The aim has been to create a Drama in the Literacy Hour Programme that is truly sustainable and is a real asset to Primary Schools.