FacilitatiON
From tiny tots to adult exploration,
I have led music based workshops for all ages.
I am interested in shows where musicianship runs as a current under the whole piece.
actOr musician wOrkshOPS
The whole cast is connected to each other - the heart and rhythm beats as one.
This video showcases the result of a workshop that I led alongside my friend and colleague, Jess Mabel Jones. For the Children’s Theatre Festival in Krakow, Poland (Festiwal Teatrów dla Dzieci Podskoki i Wykręty) I introduced a group of adults that work in TYA to actor-musicianship and Jess introduced them to shadow puppetry. We then blended the disciplines to produce this video.You can find out more about Jess’ work here - https://www.jessmabeljones.com/WhaT is actOr-musicianship?
Actor-musicianship is a performance discipline that blends acting with music. Actor-musicianship finds ways to tell stories and portray character by building musical atmospheres, relationships with sound and rhythmic ensembles.
It is magic! I love it.
A saxophone can cast a witch’s spell, a trombone can be a baby’s cry, percussion can build a forest and vocals can transport you all over the world.
The most successful actor-musician work comes together when casts are seamlessly connected in their story-telling. The story breathes alongside the musical world and I strive to introduce participants to this team led way of working.
WhaT dO my wORKSHOPS INVOLVE?
You do not have to play an instrument to take part in an actor-musician workshop!
We will explore connection, ensemble and multi-tasking - nailing that team work essential for actor-musicianship. We will build soundscapes, explore how music can manipulate mood and story and layer dialogue onto the music we produce.
I can tailor workshops for curious adults, GCSE and A-Level drama students.
I can implement actor-musicianship into existing school projects - injecting this new discipline to elevate the student’s work further.
where have i wORKED?
Festiwal Teatrów dla Dzieci Podskoki i Wykręty / 2024 / Introduction to Actor-Musicianship for Adults / Facilitator / Teatr Figur / Krakow
Creative Arts Week / 2022 / Actor-Musician Workshop for 10 year olds / Facilitator / Scene and Heard
Bishop’s Stortford College / 2016 / Incorporating Actor-Musicianship into GCSE Drama Projects / Facilitator
Bishop’s Stortford College / 2016 / Introduction to Actor-Musicianship for Year 10 / Facilitator
St Mary’s School / 2017 / Introduction to Actor-Musicianship for Year 5 and 6 / Facilitator
Early years
a gorgeous shot from one of my workshops ©Patrick doddsI have been working with children alongside my acting career since I graduated from drama school. Sometimes, the skills align! In beautiful theatre shows for children in magical venues like The Polka, The Little Angel and The Egg. I have performed for babies, small children and teenagers and have done numerous extra curricular workshops and meet-and-greets with them.
I also work in childcare. I’ve dug for worms, built pillow dens, painted unicorns and dealt with tears over broccoli. I like to think I know kids a bit and luckily, I love spending time with them. Their irreverence, wisdom and unwavering confidence has taught me so much over the years.
I have also written a children’s book. Please visit the writing page for more info.
the singing mermaid the little angel © tristram kenton
rapunzel the egg, bath © nick spratlingwOrkshOps
I have delivered early years music workshops since 2007.
Sometimes, a music workshop is a baby and carer’s first dip into the sociable world so I want everyone to feel welcome and safe to be knackered if that’s the mood of the day..! My workshops focus on lightness for the benefit of the child and the guardian - they are very playful. I want everyone to feel comfortable, whether that’s quietly, sitting down and taking everything in to being the first one up to dance like a penguin.
I can do workshops for divided age groups or free-for-alls (!) where entire families come to play. I have facilitated to groups as big as 40 so am no stranger to crowd management..!
My workshops are sometimes story led; exercises and games can revolve around a narrative or sometimes a theme such as seasons, transport or places.
whaT can i expect frOM One Of yOur wOrkshOps?
Songs and nursery rhymes with actions
Exploring resources such as colourful scarves and cuddly characters
Free play to music with percussive instruments
The introduction to instruments such as the ukulele and flute
Dancing!
See for yourself in the below video!
during the pandemic i produced some early year music videos in place of my in person sessions at the royal albert hall. to watch the others you can see them here on the royal albert hall's youtube channel.where have i wORKED?
Wondergigs / 2024 / Musical Gigs for Children and Families / Facilitator / Spunglass Theatre / Filskit Theatre
Tiddlers / 2024 / Early Years Music Sessions for Mixed Ages / Facilitator / White Rock Theatre
Storytelling and Music / 2017 - 2021 / Early Years Music and Storytelling sessions for ages 0 - 4 / Facilitator / Royal Albert Hall
Nimbletots, Beanstalk Arts / 2017 - 2020 / Early Years Music and Storytelling sessions, split age groups / Children’s Music Based Parties / Facilitator / Various
Tiny Tots / Toddler Tunes / Little Maestros / 2008 - 2013 / Early Years Music Sessions, split age groups / Facilitator / Blackheath Conservatoire