Reflections was an exciting participatory drama project which took place at five schools. This project used creative and innovative ways to develop communication and interaction and to explore the concepts of identity and self-image with young people on the autistic spectrum. This was achieved through close consultation and collaboration with teachers at the schools involved. With particular emphasis on inclusion and access, the title ‘Reflections’ indicated the project’s focus on self observation and understanding.
The project was led by a team of highly experienced drama and music tutors working with a video artist. It comprised a series of five experiential, cross-arts drama workshops designed to encourage the young people to make creative explorations of their physical, emotional and social identities. Four developmental workshops took place at each school and the final session took the form of a multi-sensory installation workshop at Phoenix School. In addition, throughout the project there was a joint scheme of work planned with teachers at participating schools.
Paula Manning was Associate Director at Half Moon Theatre in the late 2000s, with a particular responsibility for the early years and special needs work. She talks about Sensory Journeys and Reflections and Touching Science – multi-sensory participatory projects which were fully immersive and inclusive. Interviewed by Toni Tsaera.
Justin Allder is a drama facilitator and film-maker who has worked on a range participatory projects with Half Moon Theatre on White Horse Road from the early 2000s. He talks about an interactive participatory project, Reflections, which was initially developed for children on the autistic spectrum and with disabilities, then differentiated for other children in mainstream settings. Interviewed by Rosie Vincent.
Reflections – Video; a resource for schools created as a follow-up to the project.
Have you got a memory you’d like to share? Or perhaps you have a programme or poster from one of our shows that we're currently missing? Then we want to hear from you! The website is a living archive and we will continue to add information as it comes to light.
Read More
