VDT offer bespoke workshops developed in partnership with secondary schools and colleges for a diverse range of students aged 11-18 studying GCSE, B-Tec Extended Diplomas and A-Level Dance, Performing Arts and PSHE / RSE. Workshops aim to encourage young people’s own creative agency and thinking and activities can be aligned to curriculum objective whilst also exploring VDT’s unique creative approach. Short films of VDT’s work may be shown to stimulate debate and kickstart the creative process.
Workshops are friendly and fun – always starting with introductions to the facilitator and the company, check ins with participants re names, pronouns (if appropriate) and any injuries, agreeing group ground rules including the right to take a break if necessary, respect for others and agreeing consent around physical touch.
Movement based and choreographic workshops are aimed at Dance, Theatre and Performing Arts students and focus on creating material from clear conceptual starting points and setting choreographic tasks that aim to strengthen students’ creative and physical skills. VDT encourage students to find their own voice and use their own and others’ lived experience within their creative practice, widening their understanding of what role the arts can play in affecting personal and social change.
VDT’s work begins with an active warm up and group games that flows into group work, partnering and structured improvisation, followed by a series of choreographic tasks to generate meaningful movement, translating words and feelings into gesture and simple movement phrases, shared with the group. Facilitators offer supportive critical feedback, encouraging students to return to the work using a deeper understanding of their practice.
See examples of movement based workshops here:
Issue Based Creative Workshops
These workshops offer small / class / year groups or whole schools the opportunity to explore current issues examined in Vincent Dance Theatre’s socially engaged production work.
VDT screen short films / excerpts of our work followed by student centred creative engagement activities (paper, movement, mark making, craft or text based).
issue based creative workshops foster an interest and understanding of socially engaged art, creative thinking and contemporary issues of our time – including identity, gender, bullying, mental health, pornography, care experience and the impact of living in an online world.
Outcomes and objectives can be mapped against PSHE as well as Performing Arts, Film, Art, Digital Media & Photography and Speaking, Listening and Writing objectives. Workshops encourage participants to become creative agents, making their own work in response to agreed themes. These workshops widen student (and staff) understanding of what role the arts can play in non-arts settings and individual growth.
Feedback
‘I wish all our PSHE lessons were like this.’ Yr 10 Participant, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Brighton
‘One of the most thought-provoking experiences that I have seen in a school: our students benefited greatly.’ Keith Budge, Head, Bedales School, Hampshire
‘The levels of collaborative, creative, engagement achieved by both girls and boys was amazing. Big thanks to the Vincent Dance Theatre team whose detailed planning made the whole experience – particularly delivery for the staff – easy.’ Deputy Head, The Norwood School, London
Workshop Fees and Booking
- 1.5 – 3 hours: £250 + travel/accommodation + VAT
- 4 – 5 hours: £450 + travel/accommodation + VAT
To book a workshop, please contact VDT’s General Manager on admin@vincentdt.com