Workshops

Introducing Forum Theatre: Workshop Resource Pack

Forum Theatre is a form of interactive theatre developed by the late Brazilian theatre director, Augusto Boal, as part of his 'Theatre of the Oppressed'. Forum Theatre empowers the audience to actively explore different options for dealing with shared problems and motivates them to make positive changes in their own lives.

The resource is a practical introduction to the techniques and approaches of Forum Theatre and can be used by youth workers, youth arts workers, youth theatre leaders, drama facilitators, community workers and teachers. It was developed from a training programme delivered to and developed by NAYD's ArtsTrain course that focussed on Forum Theatre as a tool to explore issues of equality and discrimination. The project was funded by the Equality Authority.

It contains 12 practical sessions, each one broken down into exercises detailing objectives, possible progressions and feedback questions.

Download Introducing Forum Theatre: Workshop Resource Pack. (1.4MB, 44 pages)

This resource is supported under the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity-PROGRESS (2007-2013).

Member-Only Resources

The workshops below are a member-only resource. All members have been provided with a username and password. Contact Katie for more information.

To find out more about becoming a member, visit the membership page

The Yes Game

The Yes Game by Annie Ryan 2 pages, 140k

Annie Ryan's introduction to the principles of ensemble work through The Yes Game, as experienced by 'The Blue Group' at NAYD's National Festival of Youth Theatres 2011.

NYT 2008: A Midsummer Nights Dream

A Midsummer Nights Dream Workshop, 9 pages, 100k   
by Veronica Coburn

A workshop specially designed for NAYD on A Midsummer Nights Dream, our chosen play for the National Youth Theatre 2008. A great way to introduce Shakespeare's classic tale of love and magic to your group.

Watching Theatre

Watching Theatre Workshop by Alan King 4 pages, 112k

A workshop to help you prepare your group for attending a theatre performance. Can help to familiarise them with the style, context and themes of a play.

In the Beginning was the word

In the Beginning was the word  4 pages. 71k
by Anne O'Gorman
How to create a positive first experience of a text for your group, and strategies for bringing the text to life from the very beginning.

Breakfast with Timpani

Breakfast with Timpani 4 pages, 71k
by Debra Salem
How to make rhythm and noise from even the most bare of workshop spaces - all you need is a radiator, a pair of shoes, and what you had for breakfast....

Playing House

Playing House  56k 3 pages
by Anna Galligan
Bringing objects to life with your group using the Playback method.

Word Play

Word Play  4 pages 108k
by John Taite
Exercises and devices to get your group writing.

Text - Life

Text - Life  2 pages 56k
by David Kelly
Some pointers on how to workshop the relationships between characters in a play text, so the cast better understands their own character and their relationships with each other.

In the Wings

In the Wings  3 pages 61k
by Sarah FitzGibbon
Ways to familiarise actors with behind-the-scenes work - based on a workshop originally conducted by Eilis Mullan with Dublin Youth Theatre.

Get Up, Stand Up

Get Up, Stand Up  5pages, 77k
by Caoimhe McAvinchey and Karl Wallace
An Introduction to Physical Theatre Techniques

The First Class: a Practical Workshop

The First Class: a Practical Workshop 5 pages 108 k
by Annie Ryan
A practical workshop emphasizing principles for good practice and play.

The Second Class

The Second Class  8 pages 108k
by Annie Ryan
Following on from The First Class, a workshop in ensemble physical theatre.

In Touch with the Floor: a Movement Workshop

In Touch with the Floor: a Movement Workshop 3 pages, 62k
by Ciaran Gray
A fun workshop that's designed to get everybody moving

On Your Feet: Workshop Training for Youth Theatres

On Your Feet: Workshop Training for Youth Theatres 3 pages, 60k
by Judith Higgins
Using skills from the Lecoq School to create a step-by-step approach for workshop facilitators

Dragnet, A Dance Drama

Dragnet, A Dance Drama (3 pages, 1MB)
by Kevin Murphy

Dragnet is a dance-drama that uses dance-movement, mime and music to communicate a story. The music is Dragnet, from the album, The Best of the Art of Noise. This dance looks at the development of character. Participants get a chance to explore the world of non-verbal communication, telling a story physcially. Dragnet is a 'whodunnit' tale, action from start to finish.

Introduction to LeCoq Clowning

Introduction to Lecoq Clowning (1page, 256k)
by Marcus Bale

This workshop introduces some basic aspects of clowning using group exercises and moving to more high-focus work.

Voice and Communication Workshop

Download Voice and Communication Workshop (4 pages, 780k)
by David Grant

David Grant delivered this workshop during NAYD's Making Connections International Training Course in 2010. Voice, language and communication are the core of this workshop but if dealing with a multi-lingual group images can be used as well.

Body Graphics

Download Body Graphics (3 pages, 700k)
by Sue Mythen

Sue Mythen delivered this workshop during the National Festival of Youth Theatres in Carne, Wexford 2010. It offers a chance to introduce an awareness of the body, playfulness, creativity and freedom from intellectual and text driven drama. The drama arises from release of inhibition and encouragement of spontaneity and complicity between the performers and an enjoyment of the dynamics of physicality.

Devising and Site-Specific Workshop

This workshop can be used to familiarise a group with a space or location and also to find ways of using that space to begin creating theatre. It was first delivered by Alan King, NAYD's Youth Theatre Officer, in Dublin Youth Theatre.

Download Devising and Site-Specific Workshop (3 pages, 1.5MB)
by Alan King

Open Voices: An introductory voice workshop

Open Voices: An introductory voice workshop  6 pages, 90k
by Kathie Prince
This enjoyable workshop is designed to free, develop and strengthen the voice. It uses bodywork and creative imagery to liberate the natural voice.