Action Packed! - Workshops in May 2007!

Writing Poetry with Meg Peacocke

How do you turn the elements from which a poem may grow into a satisfying whole? What’s involved in the process? In this workshop, writer, poet and tutor Meg Peacocke explored aspects of the relationship between material and structure.

Performance Poetry Workshop with Kimberly Dark

During this workshop, Kimberly Dark explored various forms of writing for performance. Participants completed writing exercises on various themes that yielded material for the Poetry Slam (won by Connecticut poet and first-time slammer Rhonda Ward) learning about the elements of performance story-telling (primarily rhythm, movement, repetition and story-progression) and slam poetry. Through fun activities and a supportive setting, even those who have never read their writing aloud had a positive experience!

      Mslexia Day - From Laptop To Bookshop

Three writing workshops and an evening event with Nicci Gerrard, all devoted to creative writing and getting published, were offered in association with Mslexia, the magazine for women writers, as part of its national tour supported by Arts Council England.   Each workshop was led by one of the team’s experienced tutors. Jane Rogers is the author of seven novels, most recently Voyage Home, and of short stories, television and radio drama. She is Professor of Writing on the MA course at Sheffield Hallam University. Mslexia’s founder, Debbie Taylor, is a journalist, travel writer and novelist whose third novel, Hungry Ghosts, was published in 2006. 

 Mslexia

Dance - State of Emergency

A breathtaking fusion of influential styles ranging from street and jazz to martial arts.   Champions of black British dance; their newly commissioned programme drew upon the theme of cultural heritage and featured work choreographed by Jeanefer Jean Charles, Menelua Harry, Louise Kateregera and Zeze Kolstad.  www.stateofemergencyltd.com

 

Dance - Urban Bush Women

Direct from Brooklyn, New York in their only appearance in the UK in 2007.  Founded in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Urban Bush Women is a performance ensemble dedicated to exploring the use of cultural expression as a catalyst for social change.  UBW weaves contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of African Americans and the African Diaspora, exploring the transformation of struggle and suffering into the bittersweet joy of survival.   “a repertory of heart wrenching, soul-searching works that communicate the ecstasy and agony of the human condition”  Dance Magazine

Dance - Jasmin Vardimon

An exhilarating workshop led by two Jasmin Vardimon Company members.  The workshop explored Vardimon’s unique approach to producing work, which combines beautifully detailed movement with darkly humorous observations of human life.  It  included a contemporary technique warm up, followed by repertoire from Justitia and a creative task.  ‘Vardimon is a powerful voice in physical theatre, and the daring movements she creates here leave scars on the memory’  The Guardian

Theatre - Guerrilla Girls On Tour

A limited number students worked alongside, and become honorary members of, the Guerrilla Girls On Tour. Using ensemble and street theatre technique they  put together a 15-minute piece, which was incorporated into the show. This piece involved the students choosing the name of a dead woman artist or other persona to work under, creating a “gorilla” mask and, with the help of the Guerrilla Girls On Tour, devising a short sketch about women in theatre in UK and local women involved in the arts.

Theatre - Malika Booker

A creative writing workshop using stories form the show to explore the consequences of sex, the moments of choice people face, and the dilemmas of young parenthood. This workshop opened up dialogue about how young people feel about sex and pregnancy.

Theatre - Stacy Makishi

This creative writing and performance technique workshop explored connecting the self to the creative source. It included strategies for creating text, inspiring original thought and developing performances out of own stories. Stacy is an Okinawan artist from Hawaii, now resident in London. She has performed solo work in venues across the USA and has also worked with New York based Split Britches.

Theatre - Kath Burlinson

Kath offered a physical theatre workshop exploring techniques used to create her unforgettable solo show. The workshop included multiple role playing, finding character through physicality, exploring the sound worlds of different characters and free-form improvisation. It was especially useful for students devising projects for GCSE or A level Drama or undergraduate Performing Arts students. Kath is a hugely experienced workshop leader who brings passion, energy and commitment to all her classes, working to facilitate each individual’s unique creativity. Kath is Associate Director of Youth Music Theatre: UK and part of the National Theatre’s Next Generation team.

Open Clasp Theatre Company

A limited number of places for aspiring actresses aged 16+ to work with the north east’s only professional women’s theatre company. This company work exclusively with community groups to create a play in a week around issues pertinent to them. Working with the Artistic Director we used many different techniques to create a piece that was performed at the close of the women’s festival to great acclaim. The exact content of this piece was decided by the participants. This was a great opportunity to spend a week developing your creative potential. The basis for the work of Open Clasp is the knowledge that drama and theatre can be used as a tool to empower, increase self esteem and confidence, leading to personal development and growth and to positive change for those taking part and the audience members who share the experience.  Image: Not So Glossy

National Schools Film Week presented Bridge to Terabithia Cert PG

Suitable for: Key Stage 2 Literacy, Visual Literacy, PSHE and Citizenship, Art & Music

Based on the award-winning novel written by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia is a fantasy/adventure story of friendship, family and the power of imagination. Jess Aarons is an outsider at school and even in his own family. Jess has trained all summer to become the fastest kid in his middle school class but his goal is unexpectedly thwarted by the new girl in school, Leslie Burke who competes in the "boys only" race and wins. Despite their awkward introduction, the two outsiders quickly become best friends.  Leslie loves to tell stories of fantasy and magic. Jess loves to draw, but until he met Leslie it was something he kept to himself. Leslie opens a new world of imagination for Jess. Together they create the secret kingdom of Terabithia, a magical place only accessible by swinging on an old rope over a stream in the woods near their homes. There, the friends rule the kingdom, fight the Dark Master and his creatures and plot against the school bullies.

Esma’s Secret Cert 15 - schools' screening

Esma’s Secret is a small, intense film set in a suburb of Sarajevo where wounds left by the war in the 1990s have not healed. The eponymous Esma, a Bosnian widow in her 30s, takes on various jobs to raise her rebellious 12-year-old daughter Sara. When Sara asks for money to attend a school trip, Esma tries to avoid producing the papers confirming her late husband as a shahheed (war martyr), which would enable Sara to go for free. Why? Well, that's the secret.

Women In The Director's Chair - How To Make It In The Film Industry

Ever wondered what it's like working in film and television?  Have you always wanted to present your favourite TV show, appear in a soap, or direct the latest blockbuster?   Workshops, discussions, Q&As and all the insider information ever needed to help you get your foot in the door, plus goodie bags and plenty of opportunities to network.  A full day event with special guests including casting agents, directors, producers and motivational speakers.

Music - Rachelle Van Zanten

A great chance for young musicians to work with and take inspiration from fantastic Canadian singer-songwriter and slide guitarist Rachelle van Zanten.  The workshop was open to groups from secondary schools and colleges and aimed at guitarists, singers or anyone interested in songwriting and composition. There was an opportunity to ask questions and explore Rachelle's approach to songwriting.

Music - Angie Palmer Songwriting Workshop

Open to anyone interested in songwriting this was an exciting opportunity to work with this acclaimed singer songwriter after her gig with Rachelle Van Zanten earlier in the Festival. Its Angie's potent mix of country, blues, and folk, served up with equal measures of aggression and tenderness that has resulted in her being championed by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris, who chose her as one of only two female singer-songwriters on his recent Best of British show.

Visual Arts - Workshops for schools/colleges:
Dr Pam Johnston ran a workshop at Selside School, based around her Aboriginal Art work.

Everlyn Nicodemus ran a number of discussion groups on genocide at Queen Katherine School relating to her Exhibition in the Warehouse Gallery.

Jo Budd, who was exhibiting at Farfield Mill as part of the festival, worked with Foundation students at Kendal College on an experimental plastics bonding and free-machine workshop, inspired by her own artworks, which she describes as ‘distillations of feelings about landscape’.

An Introduction to Life Class and Portraiture with Catherine MacDiarmid

An exciting opportunity to work with one of the region’s leading portrait artists, exploring the figure within artwork.  The first session used the life model as direct source material, covering some basic drawing techniques that are needed to interpret the human form.  The second session explored portraiture using photographic source material. 

Can Holocaust Happen Again: Discussion with Everlyn Nicodemus

“All human life is sacred and the study of genocide is devoted to the preservation of all human life." 

 Dr Pam Johnston

Inspired by Aboriginal Painting & Drawing with Dr Pam Johnston

This was a great opportunity to work with Pam Johnston, one of the most significant Aboriginal Australian contemporary artists, whose work was exhibited in the Sugar Store Gallery during the festival.  Participants were inspired by her work and learned how to tell their own story using traditional painting and drawing techniques. 

Chinese Ink Painting with Irene Sanderson

How to use the Five Treasures of Chinese painting to take your first steps in painting Chinese style, conjuring up tigers and bamboo and the Eight Eternal Laws of Chinese writing to write Chinese characters related to your own year of birth. 

 Linda Lomahaftewa

Symbolism using painting and printing techniques with Linda Lomahaftewa

An amazing opportunity to work with a leading Native American artist from the Hopi/Choctaw community who was exhibiting her work in the Warehouse Gallery during the 2007 festival.