Emily Bowerman – Tynecastle High School
Amanda Carmichael – Canal View Primary School
Jacqui Crawford – Queensferry High School
Norry Leonard - Victoria Primary School
Serena Jagpal – Pentland Primary School
Tanya McLaughlin – Corstorphine Primary School
Lisa Macleod – Royal High Primary School
Judith Neeson – Forrester High School
Ann Russell – Woodlands Special School
Fiona Walker – Bonaly Primary School
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.
—Year 1 participant
The 2019/20 programme included the following elements:
The group saw three very different shows: Us/Them (Bronks and Richard Jordan Productions), The Invisible Man (Theatre Artemis) and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (Stellar Quines). Teachers not only watched the productions but also took part in Q&As and discussion sessions with artistic directors and performers from the companies. There was also plenty of time for socialising, networking and soaking up the festival atmosphere!
The Fringe programme was made up of six shows, all selected from a shortlist by the teachers and seen over two full days: Buzz (Kopergietery), Burgerz (Travis and Hackney Showroom), Bromance (Barely Methodical Troupe), Electrolyte (Wildcard), Louder is Not Always Clearer (Mr and Mrs Clark featuring Jonny Cotsen), and Who Cares (LUNG and The Lowry). Again, teachers took part in facilitated discussions with the creative team of all six performances, met with a theatre critic - Gareth Vile - to talk about how he critiques and writes about performance, and had social time together to talk about the work.