This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Organising a theater play: text, music, dance, scenography, rehearsals… (KA229)

Project summary

"Organising a theatrical performance: text, music, dance, scenography, rehearsals ..." is a project of exchange of good practices and collaboration presented by the IES centers Princesa Galiana de Toledo (Spain) and ISIS Orioli from Viterbo (Italy). These are two humble centers located in two small historical cities near the capitals of their respective regions.

The project focuses on the work around the representation of a play, an activity that for both (high) schools has been an ideal space for an interdisciplinary work for quite a few years , in which a large part of the departments and students of each center participate and, which extends throughout an academic year. The students of the performing arts groups of both centers are responsible for working on all aspects necessary for the premiere of a theatrical production, from the technical elements to the final interpretation before an audience. The joint effort culminates in one or several representations before students of the center itself, of nearby schools or of the general public. We understand that it is a practical and efficient way to know the reality, the complexity of a montage, to know the professions related to the cultural industry and also encourages participants the values of effort, improvement, responsibility and teamwork. It is also a fundamental tool to promote knowledge of great works of culture.

ISIS Orioli has several years of experience in Erasmus + projects of very different types. The IES Princesa Galiana has just launched the baccalaureate studies of performing arts, music and dance, being the only center in the province that offers these teachings. Although it has several national awards for its "Galiana Presenta" project, its European experience is limited to eTwinning projects, and we understand that we have much to learn, both in the field of performing arts and in European projects.

With the exchange of experiences between our two centers we will greatly enrich our work around the theater, applying new methodologies and effective forms of organization (spaces, times, groups). We want to take advantage of the challenge that is presented to us to explore possibilities of communication with new audiences through various initiatives: working with texts from authors from both countries, exploiting the value of gesture theater and working with small fragments in English. We not only want our students to know the educational reality, but also the professional perspective about the arts in both countries, which will undoubtedly help them to define their own academic future.

The project will be extended over two years. During the first year we will make brief exchanges with small groups of students and teachers who will know different aspects of the work in the other center (workshops, essays, etc.) and the cultural life of the neighboring country. In the second year, the final representations of the works of each group in the partner city will be made.

In total it is expected that each center will mobilize about 25 students and six teachers, although through the planned dissemination activities (eTwinning, websites, social networks, YouTube channel, media, talks and exhibitions) we hope that the impact reaches the entire educational community (teachers, students, families).The project will reach its meaning if it generates a significant impact in each of the cities. In both cases we have the collaboration of various entities to ensure the participation of external agents (theater professionals) and to facilitate representations in representative scenarios of each city.

The main long-term goal is the creation of a wider network of centers in different parts of Europe that participate in theatrical shows that could help to spread the huge cultural heritage, that act as a cultural engine of their cities and, above all, that enrich through the theater, the vital experience and thus offer a training of the highest quality to our girls and boys.