Harris School Talented Student Programme:

                              Young Directors (of Shakespeare)

Summary

Talented KS4 drama students were challenged to adapt and direct a Shakespeare production. Students studied some of the world’s most innovative stage directors and gave seminar presentations about them. Chris Browning, Drama AST, coached the directors in learning about delivering Shakespeare’s language. The students learnt about ways to create and maintain a company. Young Directors were invited to create casts made-up of students from Years 7, 8 and 9. The casts rehearsed for three months. Young Directors formed ‘teams’ so that the burden was shared and health and safety considerations met.

Identification

The students selected for Young Directors were predicted at least A grade for GCSE Drama. In addition, students had demonstrated i) a particular expertise in one of the key areas of Drama (making, performing or responding), ii) were intellectually sound and iii) had demonstrated strong social and communication skills.  Of the eleven Young Directors selected, two were exceptionally able drama students, two had shown expertise in creatively responding to drama in the written form and five were exceptional evaluators of drama and talented actors combined.

Description

Students met with the Head of Drama two lunchtimes a week for five months. The sessions covered an examination of the philosophy and practice of some professional directors, understanding some practical approaches to Shakespeare’s language and responding to the practical needs of directors as they arose.

Specific Aims of the Young Directors (YDs) Training Programme and the directing process were that….

 YDs will experience and understand the importance of fun and play.

 YDs will understand the skills-set of the director and be able to practise some of those skills.

 YDs will develop the confidence to support actors in delivering Shakespeare’s language.

 YDs will develop leadership skills.

 YDs and their actors’ self esteem will be raised. They will develop understanding of the skills, qualities and behaviours required to effectively establish and manage a team.

Planned outcomes of Young Directors (YDs) Training Programme:

 1) Seminar discussions about the work of directors will prepare YDs for seminar work at university and college.

 2) YDs might get a very high mark for referencing the approaches of directors in drama exams and coursework.

 3) Academic and creative institutions (i.e. the NYT) will be impressed by YDs work

 4) YDs study of Shakespeare will enable them to appreciate Shakespeare fearlessly and openly for a life-time.

Evaluation

The Young Directors’ Views

 ‘I’ve always been amazed by Shakespeare’s work, and this is one of the reasons why this project was so amazing. To be given work by such an incredible playwright was the highlight of my life! Hearing the kids find the iambic pentameter and say the words with understanding was like being on some mesmerizing drug.’

‘Learning about Jerzy Grotowski and others like Peter Brook was amazing.’

‘The contrast in directing skills and techniques that different directors use is amazing. I have used techniques Robert Lepage has used, with my students.’

‘I’m definitely considering a career in Drama so this experience will help me in finding a job.’ 

‘The most rewarding part of the whole experience was when a student’s mother came and told us how we had changed her daughter’s life and told of how she had grown in confidence thanks to the production.’

 ‘I think Young Directors could improve by having the support of previous young directors.’  

Actors’ Views

‘Working on The Tempest has been so much fun. I feel each rehearsal has developed me in some way.’

 ‘This drama group has really helped me build my confidence which I’ve taken into other subjects including drama.’

Response from Parent