| Administrative History | The New Shakespeare Company's education programme began with a series of theatre workshops aimed at English 'O' and 'A' Level students in schools throughout London and the South East. The workshops were devised by David Whitworth, an actor with teaching experience. The first series of theatre workshops were sponsored by Lloyds Bank (1981-1986), and thereafter by BP (1987-1992) and Marks & Spencer (1993-). The New Shakespeare Company 'Theatre in Education Team' was newly appointed in 1987, and include an Education Officer and small Workshop Team. The Education Officer acts as a personal liason point with teachers in schools. From 1987 two types of workshop were offered - those held at the Open Air Theatre immediately prior to the Schools Matinee, and those offered out to take place as introductory sessions within schools, with students attending a performance at a later date. The Theatre in Education Team also hold annual School Leavers Workshops, designed for 16-19 year olds, which take place during August. These provide students with a programme of day-long wokshops with theatre practitioners focusing on Administration, Set and Costume Design, Acting and Directing, and Technical and Stage Management. To complement the workshops, students are given Background Information Packs detailing further education, training and career opportunities
within the arts. |