Working with groups is immensely satisfying from a teacher’s perspective. Although at times it feels like hard labour the finished product is more often than not a revelation. At its most basic you will have encouraged team work and discipline and at its best you will have achieved a complete and unique piece of theatre which is a compilation of both teachers’ and students’ creativity. It allows the less confident student to experience the pleasure of public performance without undue stress and teaches the confident and talented about the value of co-operative ventures as well as promoting generosity of spirit.

We offer group classes in all the major disciplines of Drama, Mime and Devised work (see pages for details) but we would draw your attention to three specialist classes.*

Diamond Jubilee Theme Classes

Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year and sixty years of the Mid-Somerset Festival being settled permanentyy in Bath by creating a progranmme incorporating any mix of Speech & Drama or Musical Theatre reflecting any or all of the Decades since 1950.

A special certificate will be awarded together with a cash prize of £100 for each of the classes.

Sponsored by The English Speaking Union

These two classes will replace our usual theme classes for 2012 only

Choral/Group Speaking

We cater for two age groups – 12 years and under and 13 years and over. There should be no fewer than 8 speakers. Choirs/Groups must perform two contrasting pieces which can be any combination of verse and prose. i.e. two poems, two passages of prose, or one poem and one passage of prose. In Group Speaking movement is optional and minimal hand props allowed. Sound effects/music can be used with discretion, bearing in mind the spoken word should predominate.

Theme

Age groups 12 Years and under/18 Years and under. No fewer than 10 nor more than 20 performers. The aim is to present a programme on one of the set themes by using a variety of the performing arts in which the spoken word, including some published text, should predominate. Props and a small suggestion of suitable clothing are optional.

Dance Drama

This class is open to all ages. A minimum of 2 and no more than 15 performers. The aim of the class is to present an idea using the vocabulary of Dance to a musical accompaniment. Minimal props and costume are allowed.

Improvisation on a Poem

Age groups 12 Years and under/18 Years and under. No fewer than 3 nor more than 10 performers. The group will present an improvised piece based on the poem. This is not intended to be a literal interpretation but should represent their response to the content. 

Set poem or Own Choice

Please see syllabus for appropriate class number and time limit

*Please note these classes are usually scheduled to take place in the Guildhall Banqueting Room. Precise dimensions of staging will be available in late January.