Agenda
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Friday October 25, 2024
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8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
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Annual General Meeting |
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9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
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Keynote |
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10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Break |
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10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Franziska Glen
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Full Day Session 1 • Theatre-Making for Young People with Franziska Glen |
| Join Franziska Glen, a Halifax based theatre artist for a 3 hour session on collaborative theatre making with children. Through a series of games and exercises we will explore different ways of creating character, story lines and scenes. Come prepared to move and play! |
Franziska Glen (she/her) is an actor, puppeteer and theatre maker living in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. She is co-founder of Gale Force Theatre and is interested in theatre for young audiences, puppetry and in creating new work. Most recently she performed in Bouée with Satellite Théâtre (Moncton, NB) and Crypthand with Gale Force Theatre (Halifax, NS) which won the Theatre Nova Scotia Outstanding Emerging Production Award. She has worked and collaborated with The River Clyde Pageant, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and North Barn Theatre Collective. Franziska is currently working on two new projects with Gale Force Theatre, Lupinder’s Tent, an interactive show for young audiences performed in a patchwork tent, and While We Wait, a puppet show for children. She is the winner of the 2021 Theatre Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Award.
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10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Logan Robbins
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Full Day Session 2 • Puppetry: Making Something Outta Nothing (AM) and The FUNdamentals of Puppetry! (PM) with Logan Robbins |
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In the morning session, participants will explore creating small tabletop puppets. Through found/recycled objects and miniature mask making, we will dive into ways we can combine objects that will be conducive to breathing life into them! Through a series of sculpting, gathering, crafting, and explorations- participants will finish the session with a one of a kind puppet of their very own!
In the afternoon session, participants will take the puppets we have crafted and explore the fundamentals of puppetry and how it can be used as a tool for communication, collaborative creation, and self expression (with a focus on implementing the work to unleash the inner artist in youth)!
Through a series of crash-course puppetry exercises, participants will be given the tools required to meaningfully breathe life into objects and dive deeper into the power of objects as a vessel of storytelling and its applications for creating engaging and immersive classroom experiences.
Comfortable clothing is recommended (and an open mind and playful spirit are too)!
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Logan Robbins (he/they) is a queer environmental theatre maker, improviser, puppeteer, educator, musician, writer, sound designer, and creator of exhaustive lists- most recently based in the Sipekne'katik region of Mi’kma’ki (colonially known as Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). Logan is the co-founder and Artistic Director of The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Company, with whom they create immersive, sustainable, and accessible theatre- including most recently an amphibious musical that they wrote/directed/produced called Hippoposthumous- which toured around NS and PEI in the summer of 2022! Other recent credits include as an actor/improviser in Outside the March’s production of The Ministry of Mundane Mysteries- an adventurous theatrical experience that takes place over the phone! Logan also just wrapped up an eight month international puppetry tour of It’s Okay to be Different with the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.
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10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Nathaniel “Natorious” Dooks
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Full Day Session 3 • Intro to teaching Hip Hop Dance and Breaking |
| This intro to Hip Hop and Breaking full day dance workshop will introduce teachers to basic hip hop footwork and moves including vocabulary and progressions in the first half. The second part will introduce teachers to basic breaking concepts that all levels of students can engage in and use to express their individuality. |
Nathaniel “Natorious” Dooks has been teaching, competing, and performing Breaking for over 10 years. He is the first male dancer from the Atlantic provinces to compete for a spot on the Canadian Olympic breaking team, and is currently ranked 5th in Canada. A staple of the Atlantic hip hop community he’s performed for “The Woods professional hip hop company,” “DJ Jazzy Jeff,” and “The Halluci Nation.” He is ecstatic to bring his love of dance and community to EDANS conference 2024.
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10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Keke Beatz
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Full Day Session 4 • Sound Production for Film with Keke Beatz |
| Welcome to sound production! This full day workshop will introduce teachers to a free sound production software that runs on chromebooks. Workshop participants will gain experience in creating soundscapes and beats using this software and then will score a short scene in the second half of the workshop using the software to create their final product. Teachers can use this workshop to enhance their music, drama, and film and video production classes. |
Keke Beatz is a North Preston Music Producer who has been involved in recording studio albums, features & production for artists in the region and nation, working with names like Kaleb Simmonds & Andru Winter, JRDN, Advocates of Truth, Psyc The Prince, Just Chase, Blowflyy, Owen ‘O Sound Lee, Cam Smith (MyBestFriendJacob), Velly, Duff Mardino, Reeny Smith, Keonte Beals, P.Cain & many others. He also does workshops in schools on Music Production with Unity Charity.
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Laura Caswell
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A1 • Musical Theatre with Laura Caswell |
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In this 90 minute workshop that explores how to create a musical theatre number with a focus on staging and basic choreography.
Topics will include:
- how to create a clear story
- how to create interesting patterns and shapes
- how to feature and enhance characters
- working with different abilities to create the best number
- how to showcase different levels of talent fairly and artistically
- anyone can be a choreographer
We will look at iconic numbers from hit Broadway shows and explore different skills and strategies for creating a great ensemble number. Get ready to dance and have fun in this interactive workshop.
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Laura Caswell is a performer, director, choreographer, cabaret artist, producer and arts educator currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Born and raised in Ottawa, she has performed all over Canada and trained in New York and London, UK earning a Masters in Performance. She has also studied puppetry, dance, comedy and singing extensively and loves to explore different types of theatre. Now adding Zoom teaching and facilitation to the list, Caswell is eager to learn and grow with different communities. Laura has been the Director of Education at Neptune Theatre since 2017.
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Lara Fawthrop
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A2 • Restorative Practices in the Arts Classroom with Lara Fawthrop |
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Participants will learn about the principles and practices of a Restorative Approach and the ways in which young actors can build rapport with their peers in order to perform at their best. Using a Restorative Approach to reduce fear and stage fright, these students see the difference in themselves and others. This session will provide teachers with take away activities and ideas to practice Monday morning! Showing participants how giving students the floor and spotlight also lightens teacher workload, Lara will show you how to shift the focus to the students as well as build leadership capacity in the room.
Be prepared to participate in community building, circles chats, games and more. Lara will present with fast pace, packing lots in while also giving you a chance to reflect and have the floor, modeling her methods in the session.
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Lara Fawthrop is an experienced community builder who facilitates teaching using the principles and practices of the Restorative Approach. Her methods suit any class and she’s proven that having taught Music, Drama 10, Art 9, English 9-11, Citizenship and Healthy Living in her years at Sackville High School.
Lara has earned two master’s degrees, Music Education (MSVU,2004) and Peace Education (Acadia, 2014) and her last degree included a thesis, The Impact of Teacher Trust on Student Success. Her instruction is always grounded in relational teaching methods; building a restorative classroom community, supporting personal growth for all in an inclusive, safe and caring classroom increases student confidence and motivation.
One final fact that Lara is proud to share with her session participants and conference participants is that her father, Dale Fawthrop was her Drama 10/11 teacher at Amherst Regional High School. Lara’s father was her first stage director, in 1984, when she played the role of a young child in the musical Carousel. Lara also witnessed the broth of Drama Education in Nova Scotia where her father and his colleagues, pioneers of Drama Education in Nova Scotia, created the first Drama 10-12 curriculum. Lara’s work is highly informed by her father, whom she feels was doing the relational work before it was cool.
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Peggy Priest
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A3 • Yoga for Wellness with Peggy |
| The goal of this session is to leave feeling, physically and emotionally better than when you came in. During our time we will do a beginner practice, with Asanas, breathing and meditation techniques that you can pass onto your students. Bring comfy clothes and a willingness to take a little time to do things that will benefit your overall well being. Mats will be provided if needed. |
Peggy Priest has been a high school physical education teacher for 25 years. She was one of the pilot teachers for the Physical Education Yoga 11 course and is passionate about sharing its benefits with her students and peers.
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Grant Frost
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A4 • Drama 10 Bootcamp with Grant Frost |
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So, you have been tasked with teaching Drama 10, and you've exhausted your supply of theatre games. Now what?In this workshop, life-long drama teacher and author Grant Frost will introduce participants to a tried-and-true method of moving students from the basics on theatre games into a unit-based approach that is focused on student presentation and self-assessment. The session will incorporate the use of mime, music, narration, improv and scripted work into a cohesive semester plan which not only engages students in drama, but also provides a solid frame work for assessment. Included in the session will be strategies for "Marking in the moment", and the use of the "Prepare/Present/Reflect" model of classroom organization.
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Grant Frost has been teaching Drama at the high school level for three decades. He has worked on the Nova Scotia Drama 10 Curriculum guide, and was a consultant for the creation of the "Drama Works" (2013) textbook. He is currently teaching Drama 10, 11 and 12 at Millwood High School in Lower Sackville.
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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Aren Morris
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A5 • Building a positive classroom climate with Aren Morris |
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One of the most important things you can do at the start of your school year is to build a positive classroom community where everyone feels they belong. While this takes time, energy and a consistent effort, both teachers and students will reap the benefits of a classroom where relationships are built not only between teacher and student, but among the students themselves. Join Aren, a former high school drama/dance educator and current Fine Arts Specialist P-12, to explore tried and tested techniques for ensemble building (from the world of improv, dance and theatre) that can be used in any classroom space to build a community where confidence, trust, self-expression and working together are paramount.
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12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Lunch |
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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 30
Laura Caswell
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B1 • Producing a hit show! with Laura Caswell |
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Whether you are new to producing a musical or play at your school or looking for some tips and tricks to making the next one more manageable, this workshop is for you.
Topics will include:
- Rights and royalties
- New works and collaborations
- Templates and tools for managing your project
- Cast breakdowns and casting
- Marketing and outreach
- Accessibility and audience engagement
- Team management and key roles
Exploring the business side of show business, this workshop will help you get on top of the management part of your show so that you have more time for the fun and creative part of putting together a production. A great space to ask questions and share ideas.
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Laura Caswell is a performer, director, choreographer, cabaret artist, producer and arts educator currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Born and raised in Ottawa, she has performed all over Canada and trained in New York and London, UK earning a Masters in Performance. She has also studied puppetry, dance, comedy and singing extensively and loves to explore different types of theatre. Now adding Zoom teaching and facilitation to the list, Caswell is eager to learn and grow with different communities. Laura has been the Director of Education at Neptune Theatre since 2017.
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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Aren Morris
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B2 • Building a positive classroom climate with Aren Morris |
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One of the most important things you can do at the start of your school year is to build a positive classroom community where everyone feels they belong. While this takes time, energy and a consistent effort, both teachers and students will reap the benefits of a classroom where relationships are built not only between teacher and student, but among the students themselves.
Join Aren, a former high school drama/dance educator and current Fine Arts Specialist P-12, to explore tried and tested techniques for ensemble building (from the world of improv, dance and theatre) that can be used in any classroom space to build a community where confidence, trust, self-expression and working together are paramount.
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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Peggy Priest
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B3 • Yoga for Wellness with Peggy |
| The goal of this session is to leave feeling, physically and emotionally better than when you came in. During our time we will do a beginner practice, with Asanas, breathing and meditation techniques that you can pass onto your students. Bring comfy clothes and a willingness to take a little time to do things that will benefit your overall well being. Mats will be provided if needed. |
Peggy Priest has been a high school physical education teacher for 25 years. She was one of the pilot teachers for the Physical Education Yoga 11 course and is passionate about sharing its benefits with her students and peers.
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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Natalie MacIsaac
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B4 • Drama 11/12 What works! What doesn’t? |
| Does your teaching assignment include a split class of Drama 11 and Drama 12: Theatre Arts? Join Natalie as she shares the best ideas of what works (and what hasn’t!) with this unique blend of curricula. Even if your assignment includes only one of these courses, you will still leave with some concrete plans for making your Drama class a more engaging, inclusive and memorable experience for all! Natalie is eager to be learning with you in person again! |
Originally from Pictou, NS, Natalie MacIsaac has been teaching in the Annapolis Valley for over 20 years. She taught Drama 10 at West Kings, and has been teaching Drama 11 and Drama 12: Theatre Arts at Horton High since 2001. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys working with the NSTU, gardening, producing/directing school productions, kickboxing, and camping. Natalie has a MEd from MSVU in Literacy Education (Drama Education), and is working on her third MEd – this one in Administration and Policy (CRP) at St. FX.
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2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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Finish/Feedback |
