The Tempest Transformed
An exciting workshop and performance project for sixth-form students (years 12 and 13), leading to a masque-like concert based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Students are offered an afternoon music workshop which will incorporate seventeenth- and eighteenth-century musical settings and newly-composed music by Nina Whiteman presenting opportunities for improvisation.
A concurrent drama workshop will develop students’ acting skills both individually and in groups. Shakespeare’s play has been remodelled and abridged for this project.
A narrative entertainment will be staged in the evening before an audience. The student musicians and actors will have the opportunity to present their work in performance, supported by the professionals.
What we bring to you:
Involvement of young people:
Acting of some of the principal character roles in the evening performance.
Involvement of larger numbers in crowd scenes.
Joining in the performance of new music specially composed by Nina Whiteman which contains flexible instrumentation.The more able students will be drawn into the project, regardless of the instrument they play.
There will be opportunities for musical improvisation according to the particular skills and talents of the participants.
Learning outcomes:
An understanding of the way professional actors and musicians work.
An appreciation of a range of musical and dramatic skills.
An appreciation of new sound worlds and modern techniques of composition and instrumental effects.
An understanding of the differences in sound and performance practice between original and modern instrumental techniques.
An understanding of the process of moving a Shakespeare text from page to stage.
What we need from you:
The musicians:
Ideally sixth-form students who have attained at least Grade 5 on their instrument. This is to give a guide as to their technical competence and is not a hard-and-fast rule.
The actors:
Again, ideally sixth-form students, but no acting experience will be required. The participants (we need at least 10, maximum 25) will need to be ready to work in a team project, either in individual rôles (with lines learned in advance) or as one of a group – castaways and crowd.
The venue:
For the afternoon workshops we shall need two separate rooms suitable for the activities taking place; these will be the only rehearsals. There should be some seating for onlookers who will be welcome to come along and watch.
For the evening performance we shall need a minimum performance space 18ft wide x 10ft deep (5.5m x 3m) with a separate space for the musicians.
Staff input:
We acknowledge the involvement of Heads of Music and Drama in the successful outcome of The Tempest Transformed.
We will send schools the music and script 4-5 weeks in advance. Students with named speaking rôles should learn their words in advance. Student instrumentalists should be given their music so that they can practise.
Nina Whiteman, who has composed the new music for The Tempest Transformed, recently completed an MA in composition at Manchester University, for which she studied with Philip Grange. She is now studying for a PhD with Philip Grange and John Casken.
To
make further enquiries, or to arrange for The Tempest
Transformed to visit your school or college, please e-mail
Helen
Frances or
call her on 01335 342944.
This page last updated 24 November 2005