From the 19th - 22nd of September our 14 IB Diploma Theatre students along with their teachers Mr. Stevenson and Ms. Campion traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to participate in the Theatre Arts Program Symposium (TaPS) organised by the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA). This three-day symposium brings together theatre students from all over Asia to work with a team of professional artists and theatre-makers to explore performance styles, devising techniques and theatrical conventions explicitly linked to the IBDP course. As a tool for reinforcing and expanding students’ understanding of the theatre elective TaPS is without equal. It provides students with a wide range of theatrical experiences, skills & reference points which have proven to be indispensable as they progress as young theatre artists. The students had the opportunity to watch two performances by professional companies from diverse cultural backgrounds which were of astounding quality.
The event was a resounding success both with regards to the logistical arrangements and, more importantly, the profound learning experiences brought to our students. All 14 CSS students were thoroughly engaged and challenged throughout the symposium. In their reflections, they stressed the great educational value of both the workshops and ensemble work as well as the richness of the social opportunities to interact with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. TaPS provides an ideal platform to blend relevant subject knowledge and learning with international mindedness and personal growth.
“Thank you ISTA for getting me out of my comfort zone as a theatre student and teaching me so many valuable lessons in the span of only three days! You’ve helped me explore and discover my passion for Theatre”
CSS IBDP Theatre Student.
Photo credit: ISKL