Opportunities for Primary Schools

• Partner with us
• Theatre Days workshops
• RSC - Learning performance network
• Playhouse
• Wake Up History

 

Partner with us

York Theatre Royal offers round the year workshops that are available in school and at the theatre. Our offer range from long, medium and short term partnerships. This can be a one-off theatre tour through to working with us for a whole academic on a variety of creative projects. Download our Partner with brochure below to see some of the opportunities available. If you can’t see what you are looking for, please contact us as bespoke projects are usually possible.

Partnership schools for 2012/13 are: St.Oswald's CE, Knavesmire Primary and Joseph Rowntree school. 

 

 

'Theatre Days' workshops

Working around our children's productions, in the morning we work with the children on activities linked to the productions themes, this might be a theatrical tour, workshop and craft making activity. Then in the afternoon they will go to see the afternoon performance.

 

  Bin Men by Mike Kenny

We are offering 'Theatre Days' around our production of Bin Men in partnership with ajtc. Join us before the show to explore how we can re-make and re-use, rather than throw away and how one man's rubbish is another man's gold! Using movement, music and puppetry we will explore the ideas used in rehearsal to enhance the children's understanding and enjoyment of the production.

Available: 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24th May from 10am.

Cost £10 per pupil, inclusing ticket to the show. Suitable for Reception - Year 4. 30 pupils per day.

 

Previous Example: Hare and Tortoise

A class came for a tour of the theatre, where they were read a letter from Tortoise that explained the Hare had left parts of the story lying around the theatre and asked for their help. After a tour, the class had a practical workshop exploring the themes of opposites, seasons and friendship.

After lunch the class made a hare or tortoise puppet, before going to see the show.

"Thanks for a really wonderful day. The children couldn't stop talking about it on the coach and at school over the next few days."
- Sylvia Klays, Hempland Primary

"Thank you for a truly wonderful day! The children gained so much from all the experiences; memories to treasure!"
- Louise Leaf, Bootham Juniors

 

The Royal Shakespeare Company - Learning Performance Network

York Theatre Royal and York High School are working together as part of the RSC's Learning Performance Network. This is a three year partnership of working together to bring about a significant change in the way that young people experience, engage with, and take ownership of the work of Shakespeare.

The LPN offers teachers in depth training in active approaches to Shakespeare, postgraduate action research and offers performance opportunities to young people and further school-initiated projects.York High as the 'hub' school, will work with up to seven 'cluster' schools from their locality to share training and produce a Shakespeare performance festival at York Theatre Royal.

The LPN represents the RSC's Stand up for Shakespeare manifesto in action, with its call for children and young people to:

• Do Shakespeare on your feet
• See it live
• Start it earlier

 

If you're interested in becoming a cluster school please contact Julian Ollive on education@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

 

 

 

Playhouse

Playhouse 2012 is a unique performance project aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, giving pupils and staff the chance to:

• Perform a brand new play for young people, written by a professional writer for a class or group of pupils
• Perform at York Theatre Royal in a special 3 day festival celebrating the work of the involved schools
• Receive comprehensive training on developing performances for the professional stage
• Receive advice and support from professional theatre practitioners throughout your rehearsal process
• Receive a constructive evaluation of your performance to further develop school productions and performances

The Playhouse 2012 writers include Julia Donaldson, Richard Hurford, Nell Leyshon, Jane Thornton and David Wood.

 

The cost of involvement in the project is £350, which includes the Playhouse Retreat weekend.

To register your interest in the project, or for more information, please call Jessica Fisher on 01904 658162 or email education@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

 

Participating 2013 schools for July 9 - 11 festival: Archbishop of York's Junior, Clifton Green, Knavesmire, Park Grove, Sand Hutton CE.

 

Comments from past Playhouse participants:

"Many parents thanked us for providing the children with the opportunity to do a project like this and said how much the children had enjoyed the experience."

"A great opportunity for professional development."

"Allows you to see a different side to the children you teach and for them to see a different side to you."

"A unique opportunity to meet the playwright and find out what their motivation and references for writing the piece were. What they see in their mind's eye for the production. You put your own spin on it but it provides a starting point"

"Valuable chance to work alongside theatre practitioners and pick up new games, innovative ways of approaching the text for the first time with the class, hints for effective rehearsal times and practical issues like ideal time scales for rehearsal process."

 

Wake Up History

An exhilarating historical theatre experience for Key Stage 2 children. Be inspired by theatre and motivate your children all term with our fun packed project.

History wakes up and comes to your school! The children meet an historical character, hear of their adventures and take part in drama based activities. The humorous and educational monologues have been written by the celebrated playwright Jane Thornton (Authour of Wuthering Heights and I Want That Hair) and are brought to life by a professional actor. Follow up activities are delivered by one of our education staff.

The package also includes a well stocked resource box containing a wealth of materials and cross-curricular lesson plans linked to the monologue, enough to complete a whole term's work.

Projects currently on offer in the Wake up History! series:

 

World War II - The Shopkeeper's Story

The audience meets Arthur Moss: Shopkeeper, Cockney dock worker and evacuee in Yorkshie during the Second World War. As he's setting up stock in his new shop, Arthur enacts the story of his life, from leaving London as a child by train, to rationing, gas mask practice and air-raid shelters. The children help Arthur bring his story to life and hear first hand about the bombs, the songs and life as an evacuee during World War II.

Who: Available to the whole of your KS2
Where: To be performed in your school hall
Length: One and a half hours (includes performance and activities)
Cost: £150 + travel (including teaching resource box)
 

If you are interested in making a booking, or have any further questions, please contact Jessica Fisher, Education Administrator:
01904 658162, education@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk