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Actors try to help kids perform in classroom
By Fiona Audley
 A
pair of ambitious actors who descend from Ireland’s culturally bountiful
shores are taking their talents into schools in the hope of shaking up
curriculums on both sides of the water.
Galway-born Kevin Bohan and long-term friend Danielle Bates have embarked
upon a career path which brings them back into the classroom to break
down teaching barriers with their unique drama workshops.
Their newly-founded Trap-door Theatre Company offers drama sessions for
primary schools based on the national curriculum but also stretches to
a bespoke service for more specific needs.
And since their novel concept came about just 12 months ago, they are
already making waves at a series of schools in north London.
Kevin, 26, and Danielle, 25, whose mother hails from Cork, claim Trap-door
was born out of a joint passion for acting and curiosity into how drama
can be employed in a wider social context.
Kevin said: “Our idea simply came about in conversation; we were
talking about drama as a teaching tool — Danielle is a teacher —
and how it works in a psychological sense.
“I have always known how effective it can be; when I worked at my
local youth club we often used it to address social issues including drugs,
underage drinking and sexual matters with the members.”
Upon graduating from Brunel University, where Danielle studied drama and
Kevin read psychology, their passion for acting has found this totally
new outlet.
Kevin, who lives in Edgware, said: “Danielle is a drama tutor and
we both attended the same amateur dramatics group as children so we have
a lot of experience.
“We decided to create Trap-door as an education tool for schools
and it works because drama can break down the barriers that students may
put up to subjects.
“For example a young person may dislike maths or history but if
you present them with a drama activity about it and not package it as
maths, you can bypass their usual barriers while getting the information
through.”
He added: “Of course there are also the added benefits associated
with drama, like improving confidence and communication skills and providing
an outlet for self-expression.”
With successful workshops at four different primary schools already under
their belt the determined duo are now eager to expand the Trap-door company
into a full-time job.
Kevin, who left Galway as a child in 1985, said: “We have had a
great response from the schools we have visited; each one has asked us
back and the children have really taken to the methods we used.
“I am also very fond of my Irish roots and Danielle and I have talked
seriously about the possibility of bringing Trap-door over there.
“We both think it would be a great thing to do in the future but
we are also very keen to visit more schools and possibly open a regular
drama workshop in the evenings in London.”
For further information regarding Trap-door Theatre’s services
or for more information about attending an evening drama workshop, visit
the website www.trap-doortheatre.com. |
