Primary

In this section:

Workshops & Projects: one-off or a series of skills workshops. An introduction to clowning, masks, movement. Or, bespokely designed sessions with a performance outcome to bring to life a current curriculum topic.

Clubs: play, devise, develop to work towards a performance. Children create and have scripted their very own performance.

INTO THE SPACE: play & performance; explore through movement; discover the potential in recycling

The Story Collector: can be many things, a portal to imaginary worlds. A stimulating new approach to boosting literacy, to involving all children in storytelling and putting them at the centre.

Out of the Bag Opportunities:

Bespoke programme of workshops

One-off workshops

Storytelling workshops

After school or lunchtime clubs

Work towards Arts Award Discover and Explore

All lessons, workshops and clubs are made specific for each individual class or group and can be designed to compliment curriculum work or school needs. Workshops can be integrated into the Curriculum and your Learning Journeys.

Arts Award Discover and Explore:

Through all of the above workshops and projects Primary entry level ARTS AWARDS can be pursued by the children: http://www.artsaward.org.uk

Arts Award Discover is the introductory award open to children age 5 plus.

Arts Award Explore is designed for ages 7 plus.

Arts Award can contribute to your school's excellence in Arts and formal application to hold Artsmark: http://www.artsmark.org.uk/

Bespoke series of workshops...

.. over a week, weeks or term. to link in with the curriculum. Can be designed to be an intrinsic part of a wider learning project. Examples of topics are given below, but options are endless! Workshops can be designed specifically for your school.

Stories: e.g. traditional fairytales and tales from different cultures.
Books: fiction & poetry.
Art: e.g. a painting or sculpture.
Geographical Poetry: ‘River Riddle’, ‘Jungle Expedition’, ‘City Sight and Sound’.
Shakespeare: e.g. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or ‘The Tempest’ (please request other plays).
Historical ages or events: e.g. Ancient Egypt, The Great Fire of London.
Scientific exploration: e.g. Forces or Space.
Sports.

One-off workshops

Choose from the following specialist selection; or specify a current topic for a bespoke session:

Specialist selection:

CLOWNING
MASKS
‘IT’S OUR STORY’ (The Ensemble)
‘INSIDE THE STORY’ (Dance with Physical Theatre).

Storytelling Workshops

Storytelling followed by either a one-off session or series of workshops. Request a story to tie in with a current project or choose a traditional tale or book. Examples of adapted stories include:

‘Lighthousekeeping’ adapted from Jeanette Winterson’s novel
‘The Dragon Machine’ adapted from the book by Helen Ward
‘Where the Wild Things Are’ adapted from the book by Maurice Sendak
‘The Wolves in the Walls’ adapted from the book by Neil Gaiman

We also have a vast selection of original stories: please email areas of interest and we could select appropriate stories.

After School or Lunch Time Clubs

Work towards a devised performance. A script is drafted from the children’s own work. Examples of devised shows:

‘Apples’: one apple led to a lot of drama!
‘Dream Room’: we designed a room, then explored the strange and dream-like things that happened there.
‘All Sorts of People’: we created many characters using costumes and props.
‘Go and Open the Door’: inspired by Miroslav Holub’s poem.
‘The Hat Parade’, ‘Dragons’ and ‘A Magic Forest Adventure’: these shows were created with Reception, Year 1 and 2 children and involved shaping games, songs and dances into stories.

OR adaptations of existing works, past examples:

Shakespeare's The Tempest
Midsummer Madness after Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Juliet and Romeo

Clowning with Year 5

INTO THE SPACE

Sharing the physical space: more important than ever in a recovering Covid world and a time when children spend a lot of time on screens.

Into the Space: Play & Perform

Immediate and fun physical sessions.
A cross-over of dance, drama, music and art.
Being together, building confidence, collaborating, sharing.
Safe & inclusive: welcoming and valuing everyone.
Developing ideas and nurturing everyone’s contribution.
We aim to build a movement based performance with the process as important as the performance.

Develop skills and confidence through exploring the physical space

pattern & shape copy & change follow & lead

start to finish expression & gesture

ME / WE

CONFIDENT… on my own two hands! On one foot. Leaping high or wriggling low… balancing a banana on my nose! On my own & all together.

MY SPACE - nose to toes, back to front, in & out

OUR SPACE - separate & together

The shape of each session, will always change in the moment, but will include:

Welcome & Warm-up & Performance

Exploration - games, music, travel, move, build, arrange, make…

Share & Perform

INTO THE SPACE is a fun, creative way of working physically. It provides opportunity for children to be part of live performance, to explore movement and space, and learn drama & movement skills: under the joyful umbrella of play!

To be in a shared physical space now, is more essential than ever for children experiencing the rules and boundaries of our current covid world. Whilst being a safe physical environment - distances maintained, space and equipment clean, - IN TO THE SPACE also provides a nurturing and inclusive social space where we show generosity towards each other, allowing children to take their own risks: whether crossing the room, sharing an action, or performing for everyone. Mostly non-verbal there is no pressure to speak. Using full-body communication we learn to respond to each other with sensitivity. We learn enquiry through exploration: e.g. if I do this what happens? Trying something out gives an immediate answer, but, will always lead to more! We will share moments of discovery, to remember them and use again.

Literacy Option: there is the option to follow each practical session with a Literacy session.
One-off sessions or a series of sessions over a term or as part of an on-going project.

The space needed. What if there isn't a large indoor space safe or available?

The essence of IN TO THE SPACE is play. Playing is at the heart of making theatre and allowing creativity to flourish this can happen in different spaces:

A school hall is ideal but there are other options, using what physical space is available in your school:
We could work outdoors: make it part of your outdoor learning, exploring natural resources.
We could work with smaller groups in smaller spaces such as a library or classroom.
We could work in miniature, on-the-spot (even at desks).

Further information & to book: Rebecca Fifield

outofthebagtheatre@gmail.com / 07946 354027 / www.outofthebagtheatre.co.uk

The Story Collector

The Story Collector and her cart can come into your school and reach all children. They will be inspired by stories carried on the cart and will create their own.

The Story Collector pursues stories, she seeks them out, catches them blowing in the wind, or left for rubbish and stows them on her cart. Her cart can carry a world of stories; it sometimes arrives empty but leaves full with children's stories. It houses puppets and becomes the backdrop for performance.

Please get in touch if you would like The Story Collector to come with a cart of inspiration for a certain topic or theme you are studying.

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