Our assignment brief was to Create a drama workshop or a Forum Theatre or a Theatre in Education Participatory Performance that demonstrates our understanding of a particular type of practice within a particular setting. As a group we decided to choose social media as our area of focus. Whilst we were sitting down thinking of what we could do we looked around and saw people using their phones. They may have been using their phones for research but as people were on their phones we could hear the social media notifications. This is when we decided to use social media for our idea. We thought that we’d aim this session at at young people as they are most vulnerable when it comes to using social media. people as young as 11 have a social media profiles. I personally felt that social media would be a great workshop as nearly everyone in our class has a social profile page. Facebook is an amazing way to communicate to loads of people however it comes with it’s disadvantages, and we wanted to discuss this.

As we decided that one of our tasks would be to create a group performance, it was suggested that we provide a stimulus to help get on with the task. I took it upon myself to put together some information and statistics based on the dangers of social media. whilst doing research I came across important information that I felt would be perfect to include. “Mobile phones, Internet access and social networking have opened many doors for teenagers to stay connected to one another. However, it’s also brought the dangers of bullying to the forefront, as more and more teenagers are exposed to its verbal and visual violence. In today’s interconnected world, bullying poses a serious problem for countless teens.” (Cyber Bullying, 2016). I then decided based on the information that I found that I should find a few case studies to include with the information to help get the students a better understanding of the dangers by learning about real life stories. These case studies could be used in anyway they find useful whether for inspiration or a reenactment. It would be up to the students to decide how they use the information provided.

I am a huge fan of working in groups especially when you have a great team of people who are willing to work together and work hard to produce something great. My workshop group decided that the young students who would take part in our workshop should work in groups due to the benefits of group work. Group work can broaden knowledge, help with communication skills and help with student learning. “A broader range of skills can be applied to practical activities and sharing and discussing ideas can play a pivotal role in deepening your understanding of a particular subject area” (The benefits of group work, 2010). Due to the research I did for our assignment, I was able to come across a website about cyberbullying and the affects social media has young people. There were many examples of case studies where social media, especially Facebook and ask.fm had a negative impact on a young person. I believe that Jamie’s sessions every Tuesday prepared us for this assignment and allowed us to get on with it efficiently by incorporating all that we have learnt throughout the year. I am happy that we have ended with this assignment as I felt it was great way to finish the module.

At the start of the year I struggled to understand why we are doing this course and how it would benefit us. Unfortunately, when Liselle did these workshops I often found that I didn’t know what she wanted us to do. I found it hard to understand what she wanted from us thus found it it difficult to achieve what she wanted us to achieve. I felt that she would think of something and have all these different ideas based around it that she struggled to have a clear concept. Due to this I felt I lacked concentration and didn’t get a clear understanding of the task at hand. However, when I did understand, it went well. We were able to think critically after each session.  When it came to working in groups we may not have understood the task at times however we were still able to show something and justify it.

I particularly enjoyed when we had different practioners and workshop leaders who came in from outside the university to come in and teach us about themselves and there workshop styles. It made me think about all the different types of theatre out there and made me realize that there is still so much more about theatre that I need to learn about.

Overall I think the Theatre Skills & Workshop Facilitation Module has been great fun and I am very pleased to have this module on our course. It got better towards the second and third term and I got a much better deeper understanding of why we are doing this course. Throughout this course we have learnt about Theatre in education, Theatre in prisons, Theatre for the disadvantaged. We’ve learnt a lot about doing workshops with those who have a disability and those who may have a mental illness. Not only have we done workshops that would be aimed at a vast majority of people but we have learnt how to create workshops ourselves and think about what we’d do if were going to put on these workshops on for other people.

 

Bibliography

bbbpress (2013) Drama game: Splat! Available at: http://www.bbbpress.com/2013/11/drama-game-splat/ (Accessed: 12 May 2016).

Critical thinking (2011) Available at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/critical-thinking.html (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

Cyber Bullying (2016) Available at: https://nobullying.com/category/types-of-bullying/cyber-bullying/ (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

Stories of 7 teen suicides because of ask.FM bullying (2013) Available at: https://nobullying.com/stories-of-7-teen-suicides-because-of-ask-fm-bullying/ (Accessed: 23 April 2016).

The benefits of group work (2010) Available at: http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/Leicester%20Study%20skills/page_85.htm (Accessed: 16 May 2016).