WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES - NOW FULLY BOOKED

In association with its national tour of BLACK ATLAS, LSW is offering the opportunity to workshop with members of the cast and explore LSW’s unique approach to physical/textual theatre.

The LSW BLACK ATLAS Workshop will use exercises and games developed in the rehearsal process to focus on:

· Exploring text through physical action

· The themes of the play (e.g., Slavery & historical literature associated with such)

· Some Shakespeare

· Multi-characterisation

· Ensemble dynamics

The Workshop is suitable for participants aged 16+ including

· BTEC Drama and GCSE Drama & English

· A Level English and A & AS Level Drama/Theatre Studies

· BA English & Performing Arts

· Youth Groups & Theatre groups & Theatre practitioners

Maximum number per workshop: 28

WORKSHOP PARAGRAPH FOR SCHOOLS / PROMOTION 

LSW Workouts – Exploring Themes in around
(a) the IDEA of ‘Slavery’ as well as
(b) the Realisation of the Act of Abolition
from Such within the British Empire
historically signed on 25^th March 1807
 

Even today we are not free. .... There is the slavery of poverty, injustice, greed and ignorance.   At the heart of the Church's apology to people who have suffered is the acknowledgment that Britain played as a big role in the slave trade as in the abolition of it 
Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Utilising words extracted from British writers/thinkers in the Abolitionist period (1750 - 1807) – as well as those who influenced them (e.g., Shakespeare) - the LSW workshops will explore – wholly interactively – the socio-political history of this period entirely through its literature.  Words themselves can come alive as common denominators.  Their interactive employment seeks to promote confidence through the will to dream for all as witnessed in the interactive involvement of professional performers aside ex-offenders and community members.  Activities range from a simple exercise involving Shakespeare’s barge speech wherein participants see themselves both above and below decks – to, say, a shared application of abolitionist literature wherein lines are incorporated as springboards to the creation of original verse/dialogues.   This was, in fact, how BLACK ATLAS itself was created.  Here the past can serve the present.  Each programme – such as can be specially focused – will deal fundamentally with the application of literature. 

 

Literacy itself existed as the primary asset allowing slaves to break free of oppression and, in several colourful examples, become their own masters.  Certainly the crucial importance of literacy is made vivid in the production of BLACK ATLAS, itself telling the tale of two slaves, one from Africa [William Richmond] who’s ‘owner’ had taught him to read and the other from America [Tom Molineaux] – a celebrated ‘miller’ (or boxer) – who wasn’t.  In but a couple of hours workshop participants can experience for themselves shared opportunities to build new definitions of ‘freedom’ and ‘slavery’; to build shared confidence and to find themselves mutually engaged. 

Ultimately each will celebrate – in the truest sense – the core spirit of ‘diversity’.

"When a black man wins, Tom’
Bill Richmond says to Tom Molineaux
in BLACK ATLAS ‘– and lets his faith make
our world BELIEVE he has WON
– he will have changed OUR world forever."