One of the many inspiring aspects of this coming Expo is that we received a record number of submissions for drama sessions. There was such a wide variety of applications – many applicants had previously been attendees, now with the courage to share their own practices and knowledge with other delegates. We also had submissions from people who have previously presented and valued it so much they re-applied this year. And then we had those staunch supporters who have repeatedly participated, bringing their wealth of expertise to share, continuing to advocate for the drama and education world.
This year we are thrilled to feature some companies who are presenting for the first time at the Expo. We have managed to secure Punchdrunk Enrichment with a session called ‘Immersive Learning Experiences in Your School’, with a particular focus on the primary phase. They will bring their signature brand of transformational immersive performance to enable you to share their incredible work with your young people. Also, for the first time, we are featuring a session from Graeae. We are incredibly excited to host this ground-breaking organisation that, since 1980, has championed theatre with Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists. Come and learn more about their work in their session ‘Theatre for Social Change’.
Drama that is cutting edge and empowering for young people is a theme for this next Expo. You can sample the challenging work of Theatre Inspiring Change with the multi-award winning Sarah Ellis. This company makes it a priority to enable young people to find their voice and confront discrimination using applied theatre. If you want to explore work that focuses on misogyny, consent, racism, and homophobia, come and join them for their session ‘Theatre for Change’.
© COLIN MILLER
Other sessions focusing on empowering voices include ‘How to Teach Drama Texts Featuring Diverse Voices’ led by Lynette Carr Armstrong and Samantha Wharton, and ‘Nurturing Identity’ with Zelia Attzs. We also have the award-winning writer Cheryl Robson discussing ‘Feminist Theatre Then and Now’ in a session that explores women's theatre history over the last 50 years.
The Music and Drama Expo always aspires to be current and relevant. As educators and practitioners, we need to keep our fingers on the pulse, acknowledging the changes and developments in the field – this is the only thing that will keep our young people interested in the new movements in drama and theatre. Here, we intend to help you keep one step ahead of the brilliantly versatile young people in your rooms. As we are listening to the current trends and expectations of the industry, we have a session on ‘Digital Dramatics: Integrating Generative AI into the Drama Classroom’ led by Bindya Chauhan. As drama teachers we are constantly challenged by the developments of AI and how this is impacting our learning spaces and future environments.
We are also responding to the changing expectations of our young people who are transfixed by their streaming services and online content, asking us how they move into the TV and film industry. There are two sessions that will help you to answer their questions and steer them in the right direction. If you are new to teaching these skills you will probably want to attend the ‘Intro to Teaching Screen Acting’ led by MN Awards who are part of Middleweek Newton Talent Management, and ‘Screen Stars in Training’ will focus on the Trinity Acting for Screen qualification.
To help prepare young people for the industry and gain employment, management, or agents, we also have ‘How to Self-Tape a Drama School Audition’ from Drama Studio London. This should help those of you supporting your KS5 students as they prepare for their future. The self-tape is a key staple for any successful actor in the contemporary industry, so it is incredibly useful to prepare ourselves – and our students – and develop the skills that this necessitates.
We have returning favourites who are always received with open arms: Vamos Theatre with their playful mask work, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation exploring literacy and oracy using Shakespeare with primary students, and Patrice Baldwin brings her specialism of ‘Drama and Oracy’ using the narrative poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
We have other skills-based sessions focusing on ‘Puppetry and Voice’, as well as a pedagogical focus on ‘Teacher in Role’, and ‘Process Drama’ with Dr Virginie Privas-Bréauté, who will discuss her participatory research on language education and drama. There is so much to choose from!
We achieved our biggest drama audience last year and have since secured a government with an education secretary who has already injected some positivity into the drama in education discourse. We have multiple voices sharing expertise louder than we have heard for some time; the Expo is here to help lead that way!