Rhema A.C.T.S. (Artistic Consultants & Theatre Services)

http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/bcc-students-wowed-hundreds-museums-first-torchlight-tours

BCC students ‘wowed’ hundreds at the Museum’s first torchlight tours The Barbados Museum and Historical Society hosted Torchlight Experience: Millie Gone to Brazil and it was a hit. Such a success, organisers are already looking ahead t

Come out and have an evening of fun with the 1st year Theatre Arts students and the new local Improv theatre group....... Bimprov!

Come out and support the students of the Barbados Community College Theatre Arts programme as they join with the Barbados Museum and Rhema ACTS to present a Museum Theatre performance entitled 'FREEDOM: A Torchlight Experience' on Friday, August 26th, 2016.

Admission by ticket ONLY.

A significant part of the philosophy of Rhema ACTS is educational in nature. One aspect is to impact the quality of the education system (for both arts and non-arts subjects) through the use of arts-based pedagogical techniques. Another aspect is that we want to advocate for the use of theatrical interventions to enhance the learning experience.

This week, our founder, Michelle Cox, presented papers which reflected this philosophy at the University of the West Indies' (Cave Hill Campus) inaugural Performing Arts Conference, hosted by the University's Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI).

This year, we combined the Caribbean Theatre theory class with the Acting 2 practical class to explore the cultural form of storytelling. The students presented their stories to an intimate crowd of parents. The performances were supported by the 2nd year students who offered technical and front of house assistance. One of our graduates/Teaching Assistants (Christian-Kendahl Rock) also joined a 2nd year student (Genevieve Daniels) as hosts for the evening. Here are a few photos from the performances

Producer: Nancii Yearwood
Director: Michelle Cox
Photographer: William Cummins

Special thanks to Varia Williams of Mustardseed Productions Inc. for sharing her love of storytelling with the students.

An increasingly popular intervention of drama/theatre is Theatre for Business (or Corporate Drama). Some of the functions of this intervention can be:

-to discuss and/or test possible responses to given scenarios in a safe space;
-to test strengths/weaknesses of employees;
-to test interviewees responses to problem situations
-or to develop better working relationships among staff.

In each case, actors are used to recreate situations which can then be discussed with individuals, small groups or large groups.

Here's an example of Corporate Role play by a company called Peers and Players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JDRjlLjoqQ

Corporate Role Play with Peers and Players Corporate role play is an invaluable tool for staff training and assessment. For more information visit our website www.peersandplayers.com

Again... looking at the vastness of Prison Theatre...

There's a group in the UK called Only Connect (http://www.onlyconnect.london/). They work in prisons, but also work with ex-offenders and those at risk of offending. I saw one of their productions (Any Which Way) while I was in London back in 2008/2009. It was a life-changing moment that is well etched into my memory.

Here's a review/synopsis that attempts (and does so very accurately) to capture the awakening experience.

http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/anywhichway-rev

Theatre review: Any Which Way at Only Connect Theatre, Kings Cross Theatre review of Any Which Way (David Watson.) from Only Connect at Only Connect Theatre, Kings Cross, reviewer: Ben Aitken

Earlier this week, we highlighted the work done through Theatre in Prisons. Here's a video that shows the potential of theatre as a rehabilitation and reintegration tool for ex-offenders.

This all-female UK-based company is Clean Break, which was founded in the 1970s by 2 female ex-offenders.

https://youtu.be/8FB5SoQgIQ0

Clean Break Film A lively women only theatre company which also provides a comprehensive education programme for ex-offenders and women at risk of offending.

What is Applied Drama/Theatre? What's the point?

Here's a video of Applied Theatre practitioner, Caoimhe McAvinchey, speaking about the type of work that she does and, more importantly, WHY she does it.

https://vimeo.com/96687799

Caoimhe McAvinchey on her research (2014) Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey discusses her recent and on-going work in applied and socially engaged performance practice, including her recent book, 'Performance and…

"Prison Theatre is one of those controversial areas in the realm of Applied Theatre. I was first introduced to it during my MA at Goldsmiths, and I remember struggling to understand why it was even necessary. One of the biggest arguments in this field is whether this type of intervention is just a form of entertainment/recreation or whether it can be truly considered as a rehabilitative intervention that help offenders. This article beautifully encapsulates the benefits of this type of work.

Since returning to Barbados, I've found a love for Prison Theatre and look forward to starting that work in the near future."

Michelle Cox
Founder and Facilitator
Rhema ACTS.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35786775

Actor's Gang: How Tim Robbins has cut reoffending rates - BBC News In California, six out of 10 inmates will return to prison within three years of being released, but a drama workshop run by actor Tim Robbins appears to cut this rate in half.

Murder In De Market, MURDER!!! was a murder mystery-inspired performance which was produced to mark Zero Discrimination Day.

It was a joint collaboration between UWIHARP, Rhema ACTS and the Ministry of Tourism, and was used as the launching point for the following discussion on stigma and discrimination against Persons Living with HIV and AIDS.