Half Moon runs a diverse range of projects for secondary school age pupils. All of the projects below are now available and in addition we can commision and create bespoke projects for your group, please see the previous projects for examples or contact us to discuss your ideas and requirements.
For more information on any aspect of our Early Years & Primary School work please call 020 7709 8901 or email our Associate Director
Professional Theatre
Half Moon has produced a number of contemporary plays for teenagers, with recent productions including Look to the Sky (UK Tour October-November 2011) and Begin/End (UK tour February-March 2010).
In addition our touring productions, Half Moon presents a vibrant season of work for young audiences between October and March, featuring the work of more than 20 professional touring companies. All performances take place on Saturdays with tickets priced at just £6 each to make the programme as accessible as possible.
We also offer a group bookings rate where every 11th ticket booked is provided free of charge. Click here for further information about our season and touring programme.
CPD for teachers
Half Moon is offering a series of Continuing Professional Development opportunities for secondary school teachers. The programme offers a series of one-off practical sessions, covering all phases of education, delivered by theatre and drama professionals and some of the Borough's most respected teachers, and planned in partnership with the Borough's Drama AST Julia Williams.
All courses are free of charge for teachers in Tower Hamlets - made possible by funding from the Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES). There are also a limited number of places for teachers working outside the borough - a fee of £45 Half Day/£95 Full Day courses applies.
Click here for more information about our 2011/2012 CPD programme.
Drama in the Mix
Half Moon is pleased to be working with Rich Mix on Drama in the Mix - a project that will see students from the six Olympic Boroughs devise, write and produce radio-themed plays that will be showcased at a special event in 2012. The project is a collaboration with BBC London, Half Moon, Roundhouse Radio and Michael Rosen.
Last year Drama in the Mix celebrated the creativity of East London’s schools with a festival of short radio plays devised, written, produced and performed by students. You can see the BBC report on the final show here.
This year’s project includes a special interactive workshop to provide off-the-peg teaching ideas. The project is also being run in conjunction with Roundhouse Radio, a fantastic online radio station run by young people, which will broadcast the final plays.
Chris Elwell, Director at Half Moon, says the project can be a dynamic resource for enterprising teachers: “It is an exciting practical project for students of all abilities that can be used by teachers for in-school curriculum or lunch-time/after-school clubs where drama and script-writing is the focus. Drama in the Mix can be used to deliver a unit for Arts Award, as a stimulus to teach writing for specific purposes for KS3 or KS4 English courses or as a practical performance requirement for all Drama courses including GCSE, A Level or BTEC.”
Chris led the initial Teachers' Presentation in November 2011, which was a great success. The teachers really got stuck in and had huge fun creating radio drama. A video of the workshop is available below:
Monday 21 November 2011 to Friday 3 February 2012:
Students work on ideas development and script-writing, to submit by 3 February 2012
Late February:
Selected scriptwriting teams invited to production workshops led by Half Moon and BBC professionals.
Mid-March
Each selected school has a half-day rehearsal at Rich Mix.
Wednesday 21 March:
Drama in the Mix performance day, in front of live audience, with audio recording for broadcast.
It’s a great opportunity for all secondary schools, and there’s still time to get involved! Any students in years 7 to 13 are eligible to take part. Teachers who would like to get involved in the project should email Jessica Loveless, Project Administrator, at jessica.loveless@richmix.org.uk or call 020 7613 7490 ext 252.
My London
A citizenship project
A project to explore London's diversity. Students take a creative journey that investigates identity and community through drama and music. Working with a drama facilitator and music producer, students will be supported in creating their own lyrics and beats which will be produced to create their own CDs.
Develops: Music skills, pupil voice, communication skills, literacy
Case study
Children's Society and Royal Docks Community School, Newham
The homework club for EAL students and new arrivals
at the school worked with a drama facilitator and musician to explore what London means to them. Writing their own lyrics and creating music to accompany the tracks the group created their own original song. This was put onto CDs for everyone to keep.
"It was a fun experience. I think it helps children become interested in music" participant
Listen to what the students produced, coming soon...
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Traffic Lights PHSE and emotional literacy
A drama based approach to explore emotions, particularly anger. Working with a range of specialists, including a drama facilitator, fine artist or writer, the students will be guided to recognise their triggers and provided with techniques for managing their emotions positively.
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Careers In Theatre A practical insight into the business, technical and artistic aspects of professional theatre practice for Year 10 students.
Phase One: Autumn
Phase Two: Spring
Phase Three: Throughout the year
This annual programme is made up of three distinct phases:
Phase One A group of students, often from different schools, embark upon a day of theatre making. Students are allocated roles for which they are responsible, these are chosen in advance reflecting students areas of interest. The areas are lighting, stage management, design, acting and sound. The day starts with an extract of new writing and finishes with all the different areas coming together to put on a final performance - you will be astonished at what your students can achieve in one day!
Develops: negotiating skills, team working, theatre-making skills, communication
Phase Two
A one-day session for students who have shown a strong interest and enthusiasm for a career in the arts. This phase of the project is a progression from Phase One and students have the opportunity to meet professionals from many aspects of the arts, including actors, writers and tutors from colleges and universities. Students will investigate routes into potential careers as well as take part in practical sessions.
Develops: knowledge of careers in theatre
Phase Three
A small number of students who have participated in Phase One and Two of Careers in Theatre have the opportunity to undertake a
work experience placement at Half Moon. This provide hands-on knowledge and experience of the creative, administrative and technical roles that contribute to producing a piece of theatre.
Develops: work place skills, CV
If you want to find out more about getting into theatre have a look at our page with useful resources and links
Give your students the opportunity to let loose their creativity. During this project students work with a writer, director and designer to create a piece of theatre which they then perform at Half Moon. The theme of the piece can fit with your current scheme of work or can be devised by the students in line with their own interests and concerns.
Develops: literacy, presentation, drama skills, imagination, confidence
Case study
July 2010: Sir John Cass Redcoat Foundation
Over eight sessions students worked with Writer Emily Nightingale and Director Craig Blake to create A Dodgy Day at School. The subject of the play came from the students themselves and explored family relationships, gender roles and coping with adversity. This was set against a backdrop which shifted between their school and fantastical other worlds.
"Excellent", "
Helped build up confidence" participants
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My Comic Literacy and SEAL
Students create their own comic or story book with the support of an illustrator and storyteller from Half Moon. The theme of the story can be led by you and your students. All members of the class contribute to the book and students will receive their own individual copy as well as having a bound copy for the school.
Develops: Literacy, pupil voice
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In Our Own Words Spoken word and performance
Using words, rhythm and rhyme, one of Half Moon's specialist spoken word artists and an expert drama facilitator will work with your group to produce their very own cutting edge performance pieces. Areas for exploration can be agreed in advance or emerge organically from the group.
Half Moon worked in partnership with Catch 22 and students from Primary and Secondary PRUs across London. Over a series of workshops with a musician and drama tutors, the young people explored their experiences of the education system and exclusion. Drama was used to share their feelings in a safe way and students then created lyrics and a CD to express their opinions in their own words.
"A massive thank you to your team, we've had some fantastic feedback from the schools" Catch 22
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Creative & Media Diploma
Half Moon can deliver modules as part of the Creative And Media diploma. In Tower Hamlets, Half Moon is one of the endorsing partners of the diploma. We are very flexible and can devise a work experience type module in line with your group's needs.
Develops: Team work, taking responsibility, confidence, creativity
Case study
March 2010: Tower Hamlets College
This was a bespoke project for students with a particular interest in design. Over a two week placement at Half Moon the students explored theatre design, seeing several different plays and working with designers to create mood boards and model boxes. Finally, using an extract from Half Moon's play Begin/End, the students applied their knowledge and created their own stage design for a piece which was performed by professional actors.
"The performance was brilliant, I really enjoyed the construction of the piece and found the depth in the students performances very moving, your team did a fantastic job." Course tutor
