SCHOOL of the Nations has organised a team of four theatre professionals from the United States of America (USA) to offer a three-week theatre arts workshop in July.

This will be the first in a series of such workshops and training that School of the Nations will offer over the next four years, the school’s director, Dr. O’Toole, said. The visiting team will team up with the local team to develop the workshops, Dr O’Toole said, and an integral part of the plan would be the exchange of skills between American professionals and their Guyanese counterparts.
The arts workshop will be broken into two groups: One for children aged 6 to 11 years, and another for children aged between 12 and 18 years.

Focus
For the 6-11 age group, the focus will be on exploring expression through voice and body in creative play, as well as rehearsals for an original theatre piece.
For students 12-18 years, the programme extends to exploration of theatre as a tool for individual expression, empowerment, and social change; and resource persons will share examples of group theatre for change from around the globe. Students will gain confidence and the tools to describe the world around them, and to articulate the change they want to see.
Eva La Porte, one of the organisers of the workshop, said, “Through theatre, people learn about how the world works, and about themselves. (This) allows them to dream about how the world could work.” She went on to say, “The workshop will teach invaluable skills, like collaboration and communication, diplomacy, critical thinking and analytical skills, along with building discipline and self-esteem.”

The aim
The art workshop aims to inspire youths to be involved in a positive and productive way in the community. The goal is to help the community appreciate the potential of the young people in their midst, and to recognise the impact their voices can have.
The cost of the workshop is $25,000 for the three-week course, but places are limited. Interested persons are invited to visit the Nations University Office at 41 New Market Street, Georgetown to book their places at the workshop. Alternatively, they may call 226-5781 or 227-4623 to register their interest, or email otoole.nations@gmail.com