Tall Stories -Presentation lesson

Tall Stories 

Tall stories was founded in 1997 by Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell their first two devised shows were shown at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2001 they had their first tour production which was 'The Gruffalo' and its still being shown today. They do audio described shows for those with vision impairments as well as being able to touch the set, costumes, puppetry, they also do relaxed performances for those with disabilities w ho require a more relaxed environment.

Their aim is to show theatre to those who cannot see it due to their disabilities, from the ages 3 and up.


Tall Stories is a registered charity which has become internationally recognised for its storytelling theatre and original music. The company’s brand of physical storytelling theatre has toured from Cornwall to Aberdeen and from New York to Sydney.

They are based in London at the Somerset House, Nearly every August they perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
One of their most successful shows is 'The Gruffalo'  it toured around the UK and the world since its premiere at Chester Gateway Theatre in May 2001; just two years after the book was published. 

It has been in the London West End at the Lyric Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Vaudeville Theatre and Arts Theatre and has been to nearly every major regional theatre in the UK, plus the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Poland, China, South Africa, Chile and the Philippines.

The Little Angel Theatre Company - presentation lesson

The Little Angel Theatre Company 

The Little Angel Theatre Company (LAT) was formed in 1961, their aim is to create and share inspiring stories with the use of puppetry. 

They have provided high quality puppet Theatre aimed for families for over 50 years they work with both children and adults. 

They tour nationally and internationally performing there own shows as well as inviting other puppetry companies from around the world to perform on their stage. 

The company was formed by a group of puppeteers under the leadership of John Wright, startign off in a temperance hall in Islington and transformed it into a Theatre. 

The Theatre first opened on the 24th of November 1961, and in 2011 they celebrated their 50th anniversary and have put on over 30 shows.

When working on a new production they sometimes start with a script but prefer the devising more interesting as its a challenge and can develop more creatively. Every year they run Youth Theatres which help youths to make their own puppets and create their own productions. The ‘Spectrum Youth’ is a puppet youth theatre for young people with aspergers or high functioning autism, It began in May 2014,

The theatre is also a registered charity and recently they received support from Arts Council England for their touring play 'Take Flight'. The aim of this project is to help develop relationships between schools and their local theatres. “Through the partnerships made by this project, Little Angel Theatre will help make a difference to the cultural education of children across the country. Developing Their creative skills and broadening their access to cultural opportunities within their daily school life” - Joyce Wilson, London Area Director, Arts Council England.

Half Moon Theatre -presentation lesson

Half Moon Theatre

The Half Moon Theatre was launched in 1972 in an abandoned Synagogue, the founders were Micheal Irving and Maurice Bourne. In 1979 they changed their location to a former welsh chapel.

Their target audience varies on the shows for example, 'people are people' were 13+, leaf was 0-3 and Young Herbet's Horrors were 4-9.

The Half Moon Theatre works in a variety of ways to engage young people of all ages, while also working with any level of education possible. 

They have set a foundation in tower hamlets as a springboard to help young people.

Some of their previous productions include: 

• Got Superpowers For My Birthday (2016)   Co-production Paines Plough,by Katie Douglas (Age range 7+
• Leaf (2017-Present) a Tam Tam Theatre production, Devised by the company
• Young Herbert’s Horrors (2018- Present) (Age range 4-7) a Justin Coe production ,by Justin Coe

Big Foot education -presentation lesson

Bigfoot Theatre

Bigfoot is an arts centre that works with schools and post 16 during school and breaks, they work in London, Sussex, South West, Bristol, Banes, Gloucestershire, Wales and North East. 

They provide schools with a range of workshops and assemblies.  Bigfoot's visions is "To harness and use the power of creativity to unlock children’s potential and help them discover their spark which will inspire them to learn and strive for excellence."

One of Bigfoots main projects are the theatre skills/spotlight and dancing feet programs where the children take part in: puppetry, clowning, masks, stage combat and physical Theatre. While also taking part in street dance, hip hop and African dancing.

Big Foot Education

• their slogan is 'After school and holiday project' 'seize the summer' 
• They have been working with primary and secondary schools on creative projects since 2000
• Want to provide children with challenges and opportunities 
• The workshops they provide are for low/ underachievers, gifted and talented students, GCSE/A Level students and year 6's transitioning into year 7 
• You can choose from 4 of their workshops: 

1.  A one/two week course which gives students an experience where they can all work together and boost their confidence by using their imagination and to
2. A spotlight day is used to help children learn about creative skills and theatre techniques by working with a arts practitioner in workshops.
3. Devising a play in one or two days: they create their own play in a couple of days which is performed at the end of day two.
4. Go mantle which gives the, a chance to explore as experts, it gives the chance to make any topic interesting and fun.

• The SEIZE THE SUMMER! Program focuses on helping young people 

1. achieve their potential
2. realise their dreams
3. manage obstacles
4. aspire for success
5. Respecting each others work and their own
6. Work together 
7. Boost their confidence
8. To help them get the best start and point them in the right direction.

• They create work such as Drama, Dance, physical theatre and a summer school during the summer break 

Polka Theatre: our power point notes

Power Point notes

slide 1: Title page 'Polka Theatre 

Slide 2: About the Theatre: 

Polka Theatre started life as a puppet touring company in 1967 under the Artistic Directorship of Richard Gill. The theatre venue (formerly the Holy Trinity Halls in Wimbledon) opened on 20 November 1979 and was the UK’s first theatre venue dedicated exclusively to children. The opening was marked with a Gala performance attended by Queen Elizabeth. Over 90,000 children visit Polka every year to be involved in fun exciting theatre. Their aim is to “ strive to spark the imagination, stir the emotions and fuel a sense of discovery in all children.” By 1983 Polka was regularly programming and producing productions aimed specifically at children under 5 in its studio space, known as the Adventure Theatre. The Adventure Theatre hosts in house productions and visiting productions from the UK and overseas. Over recent years Polka has developed its Early Years work for children aged from 6 months.

Slide 3: Their facilities:

Inside the theatre there is two multi- purpose spaces available for use, first the Adventure Theatre and the Main stage one a 300-seat main auditorium and the other a 70-seat studio dedicated to early years performances. They also have a wide range of other facilities including a café, a playground and a foyer filled with toys, book and dressing up clothes.

Slide 4: The productions/programs they run:

The plays shown offer adaptations of popular stories and subjects relevant for younger audiences. Participation from the children is the core of their work they encourage children of all ages to engage with their are programs through holiday workshops, term-time groups, after-show events, free storytelling and more. Many schools often visit the theatre for workshops and use the online free resource packs. They also have a something called the Curtain Up scheme which makes some schools eligible for free tickets. Another  example of one of their programs is the ‘falling up’ program; this is designed to help children who are having difficulty at home or school.

Slide 5: Polka Lab

They have recently started a new program called PolkaLab with its aim to help companies and artists produce innovative and groundbreaking children theatre. They support three companies/ artist a year to research new productions for children. They provide them with £1,500 of financial support, mentoring, research and a week with a rehearsal room to help them develop their project. When picking what company keep in mind The gaps within the theatre for Young Audience Sector so often pick companies led by:

● Work led by disabled artist
● Work led by name artists
● Work created specifically for an early years audience. (Under 6’s)

Slide 6: Examples of there work

https://youtu.be/wn60_BwpDxg

https://youtu.be/lKsT_-gYlGU

Polka Theatre: My Research

Polka Theatre : My Research 

Polka is one of a few Theatre's in London to be solely dedicated to Children and their entertainment, the have been based in Wimbledon since 1979, they create Theatre to entertain and influence younger audiences. Over 90,000 children visit Polka every year to be involved in fun and exciting Theatre.

Polka Theatre's target audience is from children aged 0-13 however the age changes depending on the content of the play. 

The Theatre contains two main spaces for performing - a main auditorium that seats 300 and a studio that seats 70 this space is dedicated to the early years performances. Polka Theatre's shows produce performances that tour nationally and internationally.

Polka Theatre first started of in 1967 as a puppet touring company under the Artistic Director of Richard Gill. The Theatre venue opened on the 20th of November 1979 premiering as one of the first Theatre's made exclusively to Children, but previously the building was formally the Holy Trinity Hall's in Wimbledon. For the opening a performance marked with a  GALA  performances was attended by Queen Elizabeth. 

By 1983 Polka started producing and programming shows targeted at children under 5 in its studio space, this was known as the Adventure Theatre,  they host in house productions and visiting productions from the UK and overseas. Over the recent years they have developed its Early Years work for children aged from 6 months/ 

The Theatre offers free tickets to disadvantaged schools whose pupils might not have the opportunity to visit the Theatre due to financial or other difficulties, The tickets may also be accompanied by money to cover transport cost and a free  post-show drama workshop.

References:
Polka Theatre, About Us- Polka Theatre. [Online] Available at: <https://polkatheatre.com/home/about-us/> [Accessed 27 April 2018]

27/04/18- constraints

Constraints 

Time:

Tech/dress run is Monday June 25th that's in two months, we might be moving up to 7 hours a week 

Space

room 420

skills

Arabic/Turkish, Tennis, Karate, Accents, Piano, Guitar, Sword fighting, saxophone, Singing, Drawing, makeup (turn people into fish)  

Budget 

A lot of the props will be made by us, meaning we don't have to buy them, therefore making we will be saving money. 

Prop Making

We will be making the props
Surfboard 

job list
prop making plans
songs about protagnists
sea life information