DRAMA SPACES - Youth Arts Programme

dramaspaces6 18/8/05 4:25 PM Page 31Workshop Section 5Pouring out the tea:Showing/Sharing the work/Where might it go next?In this section, you are beginning to wind up the workshop.This can be done by showing and/or discussingthe work, and by de-roling.Like our cup of tea, this section of the workshop is all a question of taste.Some groups and facilitatorslove showing the work they have created during a session.Some don’t. It depends on you, the group andwhat you are working on.ShowingThere are a number of things you need to establish if you are showing work:• Make sure when the group is preparing the piece that there is an end point or end line to the improvisation.If you don’t ensure that they have an end point, scenes can ramble on – much to the embarrassment ofthe audience and some of the participants.• Everyone wants to show their work and compare it to others’. You need to ensure that the atmosphereis not competitive.• No negative comments should be allowed to come from the larger group – unless it is part of a facilitatedwhole-group discussion – and never when someone is on the floor performing.• Each group will want to keep working on their piece until they are performing it.Ask them not todiscuss their piece until it is their turn. If required, you can give them a few moments to preparebefore they show.• Make sure that everyone in the group is comfortable showing the work.• Remember to factor in showings to your timetable when planning. It always takes longer than youthink.There is nothing worse than showing the work when someone else is hovering, waiting to usethe hall.Sharing the WorkShowing has its merits. I tend to favour groups performing in the drama where they are both participantand audience in turn. I shy away from public showings, unless, of course, groups wish to show their work.I do believe that you can turn a person off drama for life if you force them to perform work that they arenot happy with in front of others.As a rule, if a group is experienced, I’ll let them show work. If they arenot, I’ll watch for strong individuals or groups who may feel like showing their work and will allow themthe opportunity.31