GAP THEATRE PROJECT - TRAINING PROGRAMME Led by: Leisa Rea and Renata Allen Dates: 20 - 25 October 2008 Venue: The Junction, Cambridge Supported by: Arts Council England, East The Gap Theatre Project model is best understood experientially, so in autumn 2008, Company of Angels offered a group of teachers and experienced young directors the chance to explore how a ‘Gap Project’ could work for them, in their own schools settings. Programme: The INSET took place over 3 days and the directors training will last a further 2 days. Both were led by theatre directors Renata Allen and Leisa Rea, both of whom have worked extensively in education. The aim of the training was to take teachers and directors new to the project though a similar experience to the one that the pupils would have on a full Gap Project with Company of Angels. By working practically in a supportive environment, participants will be introduced to a whole range of games, skills and techniques necessary to create an integrated live arts project with children. Working around the idea of Transition and Change, the participants themselves were guided through the ‘devising’ process – creating from scratch a powerful and engaging group ‘work’, which could include Music, Image, Art, Design, Movement, Puppetry, Clowning and Mime. Feedback: I thoroughly enjoyed the whole week as it was well structured, both directors and teachers were committed and enthusiastic about taking part and generous with sharing ideas. The week convinced me that a Gap project is definitely something that I would like to run as it is rooted in an ethos I identify with: It thoroughly places drama and devised theatre in a school environment and involves people on many different levels, which makes it sustainable and worthwhile on both an artistic and educational level. Kathrin Bigler, director The first three days with the teachers were a great way to understand the situation we would be faced with in the schools we might be going into. It was inspiring seeing how enthusiastic the teachers were when devising with us during the excercises we did together. Having two further days to reflect and work in the group with only other directors was also a very nice way to source ideas and share knowledge, skills, thoughts and excercises that will come in handy when we do a GAP project. Oystein Brager, director I just wanted to say how fundamentally the experience will inform all of my future work with young people. Opportunities such as this, to train intensively with highly skilled practitioners leading a carefully tailored and crystal clear program, are few and far between. The structure and values of the GAP project are commendable and apart from now feeling fully informed on how to leadone confidently, I also gained a wealth of universal insight into specific areas for my own personal development that will be applicable in any context. Alex Summers It is a lovely way of sharing an artistic and social vision, and it is much more likely to become important for all the involved if they are in the center of the creation process. So I am looking forward to in a Gap project to juggle many ideas and inventions and try to keep the threads together for the final performance. It was extremely useful to work with the teachers, because it was very real and you could imagine problems and possibilities for the work in schools. The skills workshops on puppets and texts were also inspiring and useful. Mia Theil Have, director Teachers' feedback to follow shortly! For any questions or further information about the Gap Theatre Project, please email virginia@companyofangels.co.uk.