SCHOOL’S OUT!
20 June 2018
This year, Sing’theatre Academy took on a brave new direction with the way it conceptualized its end of term showcase for the Rising Stars, Super Stars, Broadway Stars, Broadway Stars Plus as well as the adult’s musical theatre ensemble, the Showstoppers. Recognizing the inherent magic that devising brings into a drama classroom, the Academy’s head of musical theatre, TJ Taylor, took on the challenge of creating a show completely reliant on the collaborative process of brainstorming and improvisation.
The process of devising in theatre relies on its participants being open and receptive to new ideas and being outspoken in conveying those ideas to a class of their peers. Devising therefore simultaneously encourages students to be accepting of creative differences while also being unafraid in sharing their ideas with others in a safe space.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of all is that devising allows each performer to bring the best of their unique skills and talents to the table during rehearsals, ultimately allowing each student to shine and feel a heightened sense of ownership over their collaborative creation when it is finally staged and performed to an audience. The Academy strongly believes in providing equal opportunities for students, and devising was simply the best way to move forward while still making sure no one gets left behind.
