Connections 2011: Drama Workshop series for Teachers and Drama Educators in Schools

There are two Connections events organised every year by SDEA.

The objectives of Connections are to generate awareness of quality practices, to highlight challenges and opportunities in developments, and to share resources with and expertise available to the artistic and education communities.

During the first quarter of the year, Connections offers a platform for discussion and reflection on the role of the arts, in particular, drama, within the context of educational institutions. The last quarter of the year brings the second edition of Connections MOE teachers together with drama educators come together improve their skills in various aspects of theatre making, production and curriculum planning.

Teachers and drama educators are encouraged to keep their practice growing in the following years by being a part of the Communities of Practice. As part of this group, like minded teachers with similar interests and passion come together to hone their skills as artists.

The Ministry of Education, Co-Curricular Activities Branch (MOE CCAB) together with the National Arts Council (NAC) and SDEA organized a series of workshops for Connections 2011. In the latest Connections 21-24th Nov 2011, over 50 teachers from primary, secondary and JCs, some accompanied by their independent drama educators attended full day workshops in Production and Safety, CCA planning.

Participants did workshops in voice, directing and improvisation. They also had to go for production and safety workshops as well as those in CCA planning.

The first Community of practice session was held over two days and 7 teachers worked with SOTA teacher Sean Tobin to devise a piece that has potential to be featured in Celebrate Drama 2012.

Held at Goodman Arts Centre, this series of workshops helped participants have a broad understanding of selected theatre-making and drama skills as well as better plan for short term events as well as long term club activities.

These workshops were facilitated by SDEA members Jean Ng (Directing), Serena Ho (Improvisation), Harris Jahim (Voice), Kenny Wong (Production and Safety) and Sheila Gregory and Kalyani Kausika (CCA Planning) This event also saw the first group of teachers for the Community of Practice (CoP).

This group was made up of teachers who have either attended past Connections workshops or those who already had a strong drama background. This group of 7 teachers worked with Sean Tobin to devise a powerful and insightful 10 minute piece about their jobs. Plans are now underway to develop and feature this at Celebrate Drama! 2012.

Facilitators at this Event

• Serena Ho
• Sheila Gregory