Teachers use drama as teaching tool
They are forced to perform daily in front of an audience usually larger than thirty less-than-attentive students. So why should we be surprised that teachers make great actors. Patrick Jones has more on a new programme that puts our educators on a larger stage.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
They are responsible for shaping the minds of the nation’s youngest citizens. And to do their job more effectively, over twenty teachers from the Belize District are being introduced to drama as an alternative teaching technique. Drama Coordinator at the Institute of Creative Arts, Leroy Green, believes this latest addition to the teachers’ repertoire, will make classroom learning more dynamic.
Leroy Green, Drama Coordinator, I.C.R.
“Children are naturally drawn to drama, and so since the Ministry of Education has mandated about three or four years ago that drama should be taught in schools, we taught this was a very good opportunity to expose Belizean teachers to some drama techniques since this has never been really done before during their years of training.”
And the educators have embraced the new teaching concept. Georgia Griffith, a teacher at Saint Michael’s College, says there are many practical applications for the technique.
Georgia Griffith, Teacher, St. Michael’s College
“For example, depending on the concept that I am teaching I can actually motivate my students by getting them doing certain dramatic things, maybe the concept got them in groups, sounds of animals, and different things just to motive them and get them into the feel and like an introduction, to relax the students.”
Maria Howie, Teacher Hummingbird Elementary
“I have learnt not to be so embarrassed or shy. I do like art, but you know sometimes it intimidating. And expression, how to express yourself, you voice. So yes I’ve learnt that. So yes, I definitely can use this.”
Facilitator Denise Duncan says the idea is not to tell the teachers how to do their jobs, but to augment what they’ve learned over the years.
Denise Duncan, Workshop Facilitator
“Mainly, we’re trying to give them tools to make the kids and their students more interested in theatre and plays and reading, and trying to make them understand that as long as they are happy they are going to learn and as long as they are having fun they are also learning.”
The enthusiasm of the teachers looks promising, but they are not the only ones brushing up on their acting skills. Veterans of the stage in dance and drama are simultaneously getting instruction from visiting theatre director David Korish in how to give more to their audiences.
David Korish, Theatre Director, Teatro Abya Yala
“What they were doing is working directly on what we call a physical action, which is just the basic germ of the actor’s work. The actor has to do something with his body, one thing at a time very clear. And what they are working on is trying to be very clear and precise on what is a physical action, a physical event that is full, alive, and tells a complete story.”
And while these storytellers are not novices in their fields, for Althea Sealy and Delbert Quilter the workshop has given them new ideas.
Althea Sealy, Artistic Dir., Belize Dance Co.
“It helps in the dancing field for me because it helps us to change our body to different moods, different speed. And it helps you to communicate. Communicate silently so that the audience that are looking on can feel the feeling that we are communicating with them.”
Delbert Quilter, Member, Belize Dance Co.
“I’ve learnt that the body can adjust to anything. Not just because we are dancers, but also in drama. And being an artist I think we should be well rounded not only in dance, but music, drama, visual arts, everything. I think it’s good. So the drama has helped me a lot, and I’m looking forward to being a more dramatic Delbert on stage with the Belize Dance Company.”
With the new ideas that the teachers and entertainers are learning from this weeklong experience, Belizeans can expect a dramatic improvement in our children’s education and our artists’ performance. Patrick Jones for News 5.
Green says that apart from certifying all the participants, the Ministry of Education has agreed that the teachers will receive credits towards their license. The workshop will culminate on Saturday night with a reception where the participants will be showcasing what they learned during the week.
