News
Environmental arts project for primary launched!
05 Dec 2009
Bounce Theatre is delighted to launch a new project for primary schools - Planet Phoenix: The Children's Manifesto.
Planet Phoenix is a playscript by Kirsten Hutton. An environmental sci-fi that launches us straight into a drama where the world is about to explode due to human misuse. With two weeks to save mankind, a team of ace astronauts are sent to a far off galaxy to seek new life forms. They visit a variety of planets and species, but none provide all the elements humans will need. All hope seems lost, until Mother Nature appears and gives the humans one last chance to rebuild their planet...thus Planet Phoenix is born.
The project is cross curricular and can be integrated into Literacy, Science and Art+DT. Each planet is themed around an element, so children can visit Planet Aqua and create the water cycle through exploring the planet's landscape. There are opportunities to develop character, diary entries, reports and storytelling within the workshop and back in the classroom. The project resource pack looks at further ways to link it into Art+DT and introduce children to issues surrounding global warming, the environment and the concept of sustainability.
The project entails two days of workshops. During day one, 30 children work with the Planet Phoenix director to explore the themes of the play and create "Mother Nature's Manifesto" - a list of points that must be addressed to preserve the planet. In the afternoon they are cast in small parts for the performance which takes place on day two. Here, the morning is spent working with the actors of Planet Phoenix to rehearse the play. This is usually performed to the whole school after playtime. In the afternoon five classes can work in their classrooms with members of the cast to explore the issue of environmental action and sustainability. The workshops will culminate in a green manifesto for your school, based on the children's ideas. The resource pack will provide practical solutions and contacts for developing sustainability within your school e.g. is it feasible to compost waste school dinners?!
For more information about the type of ideas the project produces, please take a look our gallery http://web.me.com/bouncetheatre/PLANETPHOENIX/Home.html. Or call 02084081124 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information about Bounce please visit their website http://www.bouncetheatre.com.
The parents were very impressed with the motivation and enthusiasm of the children!