Our Grade 11 and 12 theater students had the opportunity to attend the ISTA (International Schools Theater Association) TAPS conference in London from October 6 to October 10. The conference is aimed directly at Diploma Programme (DP) theater students, as a support for their curricular coursework.
Activities were led by teaching artists and core DP theater creators, contributors and assessors. Students were encouraged to network with other students, and got the opportunity to ask coursework markers specific questions they had about coursework tasks. They also took part in two practical masterclasses, led by industry professionals. Gecko Theater Company worked with the students to examine physical theater and the importance of breath in creation, and Jo Riley taught students some core conventions of Chinese Theater practices.
Students attended three professional productions, in order to look at direction and design, and to identify and discuss moments of TEAM (tension, emotion, atmosphere and meaning) in the shows. Students returned to school excited and inspired, with new insights into how to direct, design, perform and create theater.
Jennifer Raine
HoD Performing Arts
