Applications are open for teachers working in state-run primary, secondary and ASN schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians, to take part in the next Teachers Theatre Club, in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. You can read about the first year of Teachers Theatre Club (TTC) here.
Selected teachers will have the opportunity to attend a range of live performances in Edinburgh from March 2020 to February 2021 including work at Edinburgh International Children's Festival and Edinburgh Fringe. Following each show, the group will take part in facilitated discussions about the work they have seen, building up their experience and confidence in talking about the quality of different performances. The group will also discuss how the shows could enhance and inform teaching practice by:
- Bringing a class to see a theatre or dance performance
- Incorporating aspects of the discussion into your practice
- Developing creative activities and tasks around the themes of a performance
The group will meet some of Scotland's key industry professionals including artists, designers, programmers, critics and production staff. Selected teachers will be required to demonstrate an enquiring and critical approach to the work seen and be expected to draw links to their own practice and to actively share their ideas on this. The project will be co-designed with the group and will involve developing practical skills to enable participants to confidently explore live performance both as an individual and as a teacher.
Teachers taking part in the project will benefit from:
- Sessions counting towards staff CLPL requirements
- Using critical thinking skills in an arts setting
- Enhancing the learning experiences of their learners
- Increased confidence in engaging with live performing arts
- Developing a network of arts professionals and organisations
Here four of the current Teachers' Theatre Club members talk about how it has been for them to take part in this project.
The following will be included in the programme, free of charge:
- Tickets to all shows
- Refreshments
- Supply cover, caring or childcare costs if required
- Adjustments required to ensure shows are accessible to you
Bring a colleague!
Participating teachers will be asked to bring a different colleague to sessions - someone who is not currently engaging with the arts, or lacks confidence in how to talk about performance.
"When applying to be a part of TTC, I saw it as interesting CPD. I never thought for a second that it would give me so much more. Over the course of the project I have engaged in discussions with a wide range of professionals in the arts, experienced theatre that I would never have thought to go see myself and discussed how I would use these shows with my pupils. I have laughed, cried, debated and been comfortable in talking about what I have both liked and disliked about performances.
However, what has taken me by surprise is the camaraderie I have experienced. I didn't expect to leave this project with new friendships and fantastic group of people that I know I can call upon to go see a show with me. I hope this project runs for many years to come and I urge as many teachers as possible to experience this. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it." TTC Year 1 member