FOBISIA DRAMA CONFERENCE 2024 Alex Hughes Head of Drama St. Andrews International School Bangkok
Can you imagine 60 drama teachers all together in one room? A group of 60 of us assembled this September for the annual FOBISIA Drama Conference hosted by our drama department at St Andrews International School in Bangkok. Following in Paul Hannon’s footsteps after his inspiring and thought-provoking 2023 conference in Manila, I have to admit I jumped at the opportunity of hosting as soon as we were asked if anyone might be interested, and there wasn’t a moment of doubt in my choice of practitioner. Ned Glasier, a director and theatre-maker from North London, began his journey in theatre as part of the Almeida Theatre's education department in Islington. In 2007, he became Artistic Director of what was then Islington Borough Theatre, transforming it into the
award-winning youth theatre and Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation now known as Company Three. Ned stepped down in January 2023 and brought his expertise and innovative co-creation process to the FOBISIA drama community. Within five minutes of Ned introducing himself to the room on day one of the conference it was clear to all that we were in the presence of someone who was passionate about theatre and its ability to make change, but even more so passionate about offering young people a chance to be seen and heard. We chuckled about how many times young people are asked to play adults in drama and were reminded, with a shudder and wince, of the old talcumpowder-on-hair/suit jacket/top hat classic costume choice that reigned in many of our own childhood youth theatre experiences. We were asked to consider how often we really do ensure we give students the opportunity to truly be themselves, to share their own experiences - to give them the opportunity to create work that authentically expresses the things they want to say. 24