Part of theatre education programmes for community centres, sessions are designed for adults to develop basic performance skills useful for future artistic endeavours (such as actors’ auditions) or simply for personal development (such as public speaking). Fun and creative exercises aim to raise confidence, sense of play and communication. Teaching is based on selected university-level material that is adapted for wider public. Topics covered include improvisation, voice, movement, character development, and scene analysis.
ACT TOO Acting for Adults courses have been held at: - Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre - The Junction Dubai - Sorbonne Abu Dhabi - Warehouse421 Abu Dhabi - Cinema Akil Dubai
Training and initiatives offer participants a chance to experience theatre practices that unleash creativity, push boundaries, and challenge preconceived notions. Out-of-the-box approaches aim to stretch the imagination, personal expression, and heighten an appreciation of group-work. Literal props are often purposefully limited in session-work, leading ensembles to re-think, thus re-invent available material, this in tandem with encouraging lateral rather than linear thinking patterns. Programmes are designed with arts and alternative, "found" spaces in mind.
Training and projects run in conjunction with the STAR TOO arts collective: Dubai's first experimental theatre group, principally based on the works of directors and practitioners such as Augusto Boal, Jerzy Grotowski, and Jacques Lecoq.
Art work for Alef Magazine January 2015 by Corine Pagny
For extended video on STAR TOO work samples, including interviews with the collective, click here.
To partner with the ACT TOO/STAR TOO group on developing unique, aesthetic events using theatre, such as product launches, openings, or off-site activities, contact the team on [email protected].
ACT TOO services are available for corporate with the caveat that training remains an artistic activity. Theatre-based programmes are mostly aimed at team-building or off-site experiential learning, such as group acting classes and creative thinking workshops.
Depending on the mission, tailored programmes can be designed to complement a company's existing training processes. With a reasonable delay of at least 4 weeks, ACT TOO directors/associates can assimilate reference material to be brought to life. Session content typically involves: active listening, problem solving, decision-making, and types of role-play. The advantage of using the medium of theatre is that desired skills are practiced and applied directly in a live setting. Sample material includes: