Workshops and Shows

We can offer practical workshops on any subject from Shakespeare to social education, English to the environment, History to Health Education.  As well as being fresh faces, Pro-Actors are able to approach a subject from a different angle and explore a topic from a new perspective.  Whether it’s a straightforward Drama workshop, storymaking, or experiential learning through role-play or actor-in-role, we can complement your existing scheme of work.

Experienced in working with students of all ages and abilities, from nursery to adults, examples of previous work include...

• Bullying
• Drugs Awareness
• ‘Growing Up’ and ‘Changes’
• Ethical Science
• Inter-generational projects
• Drama in French
• Shakespeare
• Cultural Identity/Diversity
• Self Esteem/Awareness
• Respect
• ‘Being Healthy’
• Tales from Across the World
• Classic Set Texts for English Literature

Additionally, we can further enhance the learning experience by incorporating other practitioners such as dancers, musicians, film makers and visual artists.

A World of Stories - drama production project

Drawing on folk tales from many traditions, A World of Stories is a celebration of the diversity of multicultural storytelling.

Flexible in its construction and delivery, A World of Stories is an opportunity for your students not only to be introduced to new tales from across the world, but also to be part of a staged production. Working together with up to four classes, Toni and John will produce a play that can be shared by your students with other classes, with parents at an assembly or as a stand-alone school event.

The plays are already scripted and offer opportunities for many children to take part either as actors or makers of props, costumes and scenery.

Tales currently in the repertoire include:

• Jambari's Tale - this North African tale tells the story of Jambari, a boy who goes to live with the animals and learns many lessons about life from them.
• Little Red and the Magic Flute - a tale from China in which Little Red (no relation!) is kidnapped by a dragon and has many adventures and encounters.
• Ten Fools - originating in India, we meet an Emperor who, feeling sad, sends his servant to find ten fools who can make him laugh.
• The Soldier Who Didn't Wash - This Russian adventure introduces us to a down-on-his-luck soldier who makes a strange deal with the devil …
• Himsuka, the Parrot Who Really Talked - Another Indian tale which tells of the story of how a wonderful friendship was almost destroyed by a magic apple, a cobra and an extremely cheeky monkey.

Offering experiential learning opportunities in Drama, English and PSHE/SEAL, A World of Stories can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your school in terms of script, content, timescale and method of delivery. We can also provide a dance artist to work with your students on a dance that reflects the origins of the chosen tale, or work with your school's existing dance group to add another exciting dimension to the production.

We have many more tales from across the world which can be adapted for your school. Similarly, if you have a story that you would like us to develop, we'd be delighted to do so.

"Thank you for the work you did at Blue Coat Junior School recently, both in Year 4 and Year 6. All staff much appreciated your input and the children got a lot out of it. The end products of the storytelling were particularly well received by the year 6 children."Peter Prasadam - Blue Coats Junior School, Walsall

“It was just what I had hoped for:  An innovative, memorable, interactive way of understanding a topic.” 
Lucy Shepherd, City of Bristol College

“I absolutely LOVED your presentation!”
Jo Roden, Jesson’s Primary School, Dudley

“The workshops have been a huge success ... has been invited to work with our feeder Primary schools next term as a result ... provided not only knowledge and insight but also enthusiasm and interest.” 
Yvonne Rathbone, Social Education Co-ordinator, George Salter High School, West Bromwich