FOBISIA SENIOR IMMERSIVE DRAMA FESTIVAL: 'FROM UNEASY DREAMS' Will Kemp Head of Drama Jerudong International School Brunei
Jerudong International School Brunei was proud to host the first-ever Senior FOBISIA Drama Festival between the 12th and 15th of October this year in the country otherwise known as The Abode of Peace. The Festival’s focus was highly inspired by the work of Punchdrunk as well as other Immersive and Experiential Theatre practitioners, specifically focusing on the play Metamorphosis by Stephen Berkoff. Workshops were offered to the students to empower them in the following ways: • To learn/ hone skills that will improve their physical theatre performances. • To learn/ hone how to use spoken performance in ‘one-on-one’ performances. • To learn how Set and Set structures can be used to create ‘theatrical worlds’. • To learn how to use sound to create Soundscapes and how these can be used dynamically (with Bluetooth speakers and wired speaker systems). • To learn how to create ‘Artefacts’ for their performances. To ensure all artefacts are dramaturgically accurate/ relevant. • To learn how to perform the role of ‘active audience member’ for the other performances. The students and staff that attended the festival entered the spirit of things with great energy and enthusiasm. Seeing three Companies creating three original pieces of Immersive and Experiential Theatre was incredibly special. The work was compelling and incredibly detailed, and felt like you were transported to three completely different microcosms! We cannot wait for the next Senior FOBISIA Drama Festival next year!
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