OCT 2008

Theatre of Cruelty Workshops

Artaud's 'Theatre of Cruelty'

A range of workshops are being run by 2engage at the moment to introduce GSCE drama classes to Artaud's 'Theatre of Cruelty'. The workshops are designed to make students think differently about how they can portray theatrical ideas whilst doing GCSE drama and further education. If you think your drama group could do

with a walk on the cruel side of theatre contact us now.

NOV 2008

Seasonal Theatre in Leeds

3 Christmas Whishes

An ensemble of artists under 2engage will travel back to the pupil support unit in Gipton, Leeds this December to write, direct and perform an original piece of Christmas theatre. It will be a weeklong project (funded by education Leeds) of workshops culminating in a performance at a neighbouring school for children with special needs. Tonnes of Christmas Spirit already!

SEPT 2008

"My Story" project draws to a close

Young Carers

"My Story" A project aimed to unveil the truths behind being a young carer officially ended on a high last Sunday (28th Sept) as they performed at the Child Protection convention in Stratford-upon-Avon. “The young carers should be so proud of themselves for their efforts throughout the project" A performance was also held at Chester Cathedral in September along with an installation of artwork created by the carers. Thanks to Chester University for their volunteering and all who were involved.

SEPT 2008

MISSION TO UGANDA

Uganda - Kampala

Phil Goss has embarked on a mission to Kampala - Uganda to work with orphans doing drama and cultural activities. This is a fact finding mission where Phil will look at the prospects of future work in Africa. Good Luck!

SEPT 2008

HALO PROJECT - CHESHIRE

Connexions Youth Service

2engage continue their partnership with the Macclesfield Youth Service and Connexions. This was session one of a two part workshop working with young people at risk from exclusion from school. The project aims to improve awareness of subjects like English being a relevant tool for communication in life. The session used exercises from Augusto Boal using Forum Theatre and Image theatre to help empower learning. The sessions will hopefully empower young people to build up higher self-esteem and confidence and deal with anger management and conflict resolution better.

August 2008

ROMANIA FUND RAISING

Directors cycle to Beeston Castle

2engage directors Philip Goss and Marcus Lyon took part in a 28 mile sponsored bike ride from Chester to Beeston Castle to raise funds for the trip to Romania. The company will work alongside senior lecturer Jane Loudon and University students to deliver workshop to a variety of school children across Romania. This trip will allow the group to work with children from all backgrounds and allow the group to form partnership with school teacher in Romania to hopefully continue similar projects in the future

AUGUST 2008

THE MASS FREEZE - 9th and 10th AUGUST

To Take place in Chester On the 9th and 10th

The Mass freeze took place around the cross on the 9th and 10th of august and included over 100 performers across the 2 days.

If you would like to be part of future invisible theatre/performance installations, please contact us and we will keep you well informed.
Have a look www.chester360.c\o.uk

Mar 2008

THE WORKS OF JOHN GODBER

John Godber - Bouncers

A day long workshop examining the innovative theatre of John Godber. The session will allow year 10 pupils at Brine Leas School to gain a greater understanding of his work, techniques and plays. The group will also be delivering lunchtime extra-curricular sessions with year 9 pupils throughout the summer term, culminating in a performance at the end of the 12 week block.

Mar 2008

3 of the BEST

Stephen Berkoff - Total Theatre

We are delivering a series of practitioner workshops to senior level 3 musical theatre students. These workshops have been designed to give students a practical insight of the work of 3 theatre practitioners, Brecht, Artaud and Berkoff. These workshops use practical exercises to demonstrate the 3 different styles. If you're interested in receiving similar workshops on any theatre practitioner please contact us or visit our secondary education page.

FEB 2008

The Romania Project 2008

We're off to Romania

2engage in partnership with Chester University are pleased to announce they will be joining senior lecturer Jane Loudon and second year drama and theatre studies students in Romania in May. This link was established over 6 six ago by Ms Loudon who has vast experience in working with community groups and school children using drama as a tool for learning and development. This is the first trip to Romania for 2engage and their time over there will split between working in a variety of inner city and rural schools and helping to devise a performance for a fringe festival in the country.

FEB 2008

The Hammond School and ISA drama Festival

Hammond school and 2engage are Trapped

Trapped by Michael Green is being adapted and performed by Hammond school pupils. This hilarious pastiche of the country house thriller is being directed by members of 2engage and has been entered in the ISA drama festival. This play forms part of the "Course acting" books produced by Green in which the writer mimics well known genres of theatre plays and turns them into catastrophic amateur disasters, complete with wooden acting, collapsible sets and very dysfunctional cast members.

FEB 2008

Blacon Pathfinder DVD editing Proj

Blacon Pathfinder Video Editing Project

The Blacon Pathfinder young peoples group approached 2engage to run a video editing project following the lives of groups of young people living in Blacon. A refresher session on the use of digital cameras enabled the various team leaders to capture interesting and exciting footage of their group. An example of work completed from concept to DVD is the Blacon Adventure playground Christmas Variety Show.

FEB 2008

Company in residence at Fallibroome

Fallibroom High Arts College

After a number of workshops and performances were delivered at the school, director Mark Payne approached 2engage with a proposal of Theatre Company in Residence. 2engage will run various sessions with various years, access facilities for outreach and community projects and allow students to experience running workshops and perform alongside professional actors.

FEB 2008

Caring @ Christmas 2007

Caring @ Christmas Poster

Caring at Christmas was the second major project run by 2engage with Cheshire young carers. This 8-week project involved many young people in the production and performance of a story of being a young carer at Christmas. The project was funded by the Youth opportunity Fund and was performed alongside other street artists and parades in Ellesmere Port

December 2007

2engage at Oaklands special needs school

Oaklands Workshop Jan 08

Oaklands School approached 2engage to deliver their touring piece of What a Wonderful World. The performance and workshop that looks at the issues of climate change, safety in the sun and the future was a huge success. The workshops allowed the pupils from years 7-9 to express themselves in a variety of ways overcoming the boundaries that occasionally hold them back.

December 2007

Leeds pupil support unit Christmas show

The 3 Christmas Wishes Dec 07

The support unit in Gipton, Leeds, provides a fantastic opportunity for primary school pupils who have been removed from their original school to be educated in a safe and stimulating environment. 2engage were asked to deliver a weeklong project (funded by education Leeds) of workshops culminating in a Christmas performance to be performed at a sister school. The workshops engaged the young people as they learnt various drama techniques, built confidence and raised aspirations. The show (The Three Christmas wishes) was such a great success as the young people performed a difficult show to disabled pupils at the sister school.

If you are interested in developing a project or performance with the help of 2engage please dont hesitate to contact us.

November 2007

Hammond school HB2 Theatre Company directing Trapped

A growing partnership between 2engage Drama Group and the Hammond School in Chester has brought about another project. HB2 Theatre and 2engage are now rehearsing Trapped by Michael Green which will be performed in March at a schools drama festival.

November 2007

Romania trip

2engage have been approached by the University of Chester to Co-run a trip to Romania. The group will work alongside students and Drama lecturer Jane Loudon to deliver workshops with school children in 13 different schools. The trip will be a whistle stop tour of Hungary and Romania over three weeks. Intense drama sessions will allow the young people to experience various styles and techniques for the first time. 2engage will also perform some of their individual work at the international drama festival over the last few days of the trip in Romania.

November 2007

Young Carers Residential

A wet weekend in Anglesey was the location for a residential weekend with 2engage and the Cheshire Young Carers. Ideas were thrashed around and planning for the year ensured that 2engage will be heavily involved in the delivery of a substantial care program. Video editing projects, photography and drama performances in London are just a few examples of the work to be delivered.

October 2007

Fallibroome cultural diversity day

2engage are to deliver a set of two hour-long workshops on the theme of culture, diversity and looking ahead. Working alongside students the group will lead the students through drama exercises that will focus on tolerance of culture and the ways in which these students can live in harmony in an ever changing society.

October 2007

Park lane special school, environment awareness project

Following on from the environmental performance "What a Wonderful World" 2engage will be running a set of 6 workshops at Park Lane Special School. Using all the 5 senses, 2engage will lead the students through process drama all about looking after the world we live in.