Willy Russell - Stage-ed Patron

Really glad Stage-Ed are coming back in; you had such a positive impact on the GCSE grades last year. Laura Baker, Passmore Academy.

Having worked twice with the STAGE-ED’ team in just one year, I can highly recommend them to other secondary schools and education providers. The workshops have really engaged our key stage 4 students and have been tailored to meet the needs of our GCSE course. Also, the access they have provided our students to the professional world of theatre has been second-to-none. Getting to meet and work with West End stars has been a real ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience! We will definately be working with STAGE-ED again in the future!

The workshops were great. Peter and Ffion were very engaging, they included a lovely mix of acting/teaching/activities. They were also brilliant at adapting their materials on the spot depending on time constraints (on the school’s part)/reading the room (with regards to some of our more challenging students). They also stretched our top ability with logos, ethos and pathos, which was wonderful. I’ve heard both staff and students speaking positively about it.

We would like to say a huge thank you Stage-Ed and Mike for a fantastic day working on An Inspector Calls! Mike delivered an engaging and entertaining revision workshop for almost a whole year group throughout the course of just one day. Mike’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the play really encouraged the students to come out of their shells and dig deeper into the plot, characters and context of the play. Some of our most unlikely students were jumping around the hall and creating thoughtful freeze frames (a hand full of students even attempted to partake in the workshop twice). I know that the students thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and it was invaluable to their revision for their WJEC GCSE English exam. We look forward to working with Mike and the team again soon. – Laura Cope, Cardiff high School

As a Drama teacher, I would thoroughly recommend a workshop led by Mike. We have been lucky enough to have Mike in twice, once to lead a workshop with our Year 9s (who had opted for GCSE Drama) and more recently, to work specifically with our More Able GCSE pupils. Both times, pupils have filled out a questionnaire, with 100% agreeing that it was ‘Excellent’, ‘Thoroughly Enjoyable’ and that they would be able to apply the skills learnt to their practical assessments. Mike has an ability to get the best out of the pupils with his high energy approach whilst also maintaining an inclusive atmosphere, so pupils feel confident working together. It’s also a great way to learn new improvisation techniques which can be built into units of work. A great way to enthuse pupils about the possibilities of Drama.

The 39 Steps workshop was really great. Stage-ed covered everything that I asked for and the students had a fab time.

We had a Les Mis workshop which was brilliant. The kids haven’t stopped talking about it and loved every minute. Highly recommended, thank you.

I have learnt that it is a great job to have being an actor. It boosted my self esteem by a lot it also gave me more knowldege about the play Blood Brothers’ Thank you” (Bradley English Yr 9) “I found it really fun and different, it really benefitted me and my Drama group, we learnt so much about one particular scene in the show….it was fun” (Edward Clews Yr 9) “I thought the workshop was amazing. It has really helped me with my assessment and I have been able to reflect upon my style of performing and alter areas to suit my characters purpose and intention. I now can do a Liverpool accent.” (Kathryn Anne Barry Yr9) “Mike and Louise were fab! they both had a lovely rapport with the students which was a joy to watch.

I cannot even begin to say how much the pupils enjoyed today. A couple found me after you had gone and asked did I know exactly when you were coming back! Bless them! I also think that you have inspired Joe even more to become a professional actor!
It was lovely to see students like Oli, Henry and especially Ralph focus (mostly) for the workshop. Just brilliant.
I love your energy!

Amanda from the Lion King was energetic, enthusiastic, professional, and hugely engaging. What she did with these students in a day was amazing. This has really helped and inspired them in preperation for their Lion King performance. Other staff noted there was a buzz around the hall. We look forward to working with you again”. David Killick, Broughton Fields Primary School.

Thank you Stage-ed / Mike Southern for a highly engaging and professional workshop with our Year 10 GCSE students. The skills and techniques you taught them have given both groups a much greater confidence with Blood Brothers in terms of staging, direction and characterisation, particularly in vocalisation of roles. A good pace and quick establishment of rapport with the students and your infectious enthusiasm for Willy Russell’s script and songs made it an unforgettable experience for our students. Nick Perry, Head of Drama, St Ivo School.

Stage-Ed delivered a fantastic Blood Brothers workshop on stage at the New Wimbledon Theatre for Kids Week. Their in depth knowledge of the show and professional experience of it in production provided an invaluable insight for the young people. The workshop delivery was fast paced, fun and engaging and also provided varied performance skills development appropriate to all levels of experience. Some feedback from participants: “The leaders knew a lot of techniques & exactly how to be each character. I learnt a lot of new ways to perform the pieces and I enjoyed the ensemble scenes the most.” “I learnt so much but also had fun.” “The leaders knew what they were talking about – great advice. I learnt tips for auditions and life!” “I have learnt to be more confident! I enjoyed when we go to direct the different pieces then perform them.”

Mike from Stage-ed recently visited Hillpark Secondary school and worked with a range of pupils from S1-S6. He led pupils through an inter-active and physical workshop, introducing them to the rehearsal process experienced by professional actors. The Blood-Brothers work-shop was well structured and fun! Pupils enjoyed experimenting with accents and bringing the characters to life. They were invigorated by the unique experience and requested more work-shop days in the future. Mike’s enthusiasm and energy kept everyone engaged throughout. He covered a lot of ground in the workshop including career pathways, his personal experiences of acting in major productions was informative and inspiring. Mike took time to answer questions at the end of the workshop and offered much appreciated support to the cast members of our school show. We highly recommend this specialist, high-energy work-shop! Pupil Comments “Wish we could have more workshop days like that!” “It was an amazing workshop and I learned so much.” “I enjoyed working with the senior pupils. Some of them were very good actors.” “Mike was great actor! He helped me learn how to do a Liverpool accent.”

The workshop was perfect for the students and they all felt like they benefited from it.

Working with Mike was a pleasure from start to finish. He succeeded in engaging our pupils in a high-energy, professionally delivered workshop. The warm-ups were innovative and ensured that all pupils were with him from the outset; the accent coaching was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable; his knowledge of Blood Brothers and its stagecraft was superb. Mike brought an extra-dimension to the play for our pupils who had all seen the show. A truly valuable experience. We can’t wait to work with him again.

Stage Ed have delivered 2 outstanding workshops for our pupils. Both creative, engaging and packed with the transferable Drama skills we aim to provide for our pupils. The workshop gives the pupils a special professional experience and an insight into the industry. Our pupils absolutely loved it. We highly recommend this company.

What a fabulous day. Mike infused energy and enthusiasm into the students that brought the script to life and enhanced performance. Year 11 have managed to incorporate some of the skills they picked up into the extract they will be performing for their GCSE moderation in a couple of weeks. I would love to make this a regular feature on our calendar

It was fabulous last time and you should know that a group of year 11 students used the work they did with you for one of the scenes in their final moderation. I had 9 students- 7 gained a maximum 45/45 for their performance, one got 44 and another got 42! Not bad, eh? Must have been one of the highest scoring moderations in the country. They were an exceptional bunch and I won’t get another cohort like them but thank you for your contribution as I’m sure it gave them the edge.

“Stage-ed” came to Folkestone School for Girls to work with my Year 13 cohort on an auditions unit for BTEC Level 3. As a teacher it is sometimes difficult to inspire your pupils, you can find yourself stuck for ideas and inspiration. ‘Stage-ed’ worked with my pupils for one day and within that time re energised and motivated my pupils to succeed. It was great for my girls to work with a professional actor, someone who knows and has experienced the job and who has first-hand knowledge of the industry. The whole day was filled with useful workshop activities which were exciting, inspiring and innovative and really pushed my pupils to their limits. ‘Stage-ed’ tailor made the day to suite my exam board and specification so everything the pupils were experiencing directly linked back to the assessment criteria in which they were being judged. I also learnt some new practical activities which I have used again in my teaching. I would recommend ‘Stage-ed’ to any school or college who are looking for a professional company to create interesting and practical workshops to inspire and motivate their pupils.”

I thought the workshop was brilliant and the students where eagerly taking part. It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves and they were proud of what they had achieved by the end (a scene from blood brothers).
Mike, who led, cast the scene very expertly and accurately (I thought) It seemed like he had chosen the perfect people in the roles even though he had only just met the group. There was time at the end for the students to ask him about the industry.

The workshop was absolutely brilliant, Alex was engaging and energetic throughout and the pupils went right along with him- even those who can be not so self confident joined in and went for it.

The activities were exciting and got the pupils to think about the text in a different way, so much so that I have actually stolen something they made with Alex to start of a scene they are doing in class! His knowledge of both texts was thorough and he added a personal touch due to his own involvement in the productions. He also answered any questions well and articulated his own path to acting very clearly, giving pupils an idea of how they too could get into a career like his.

The resources were used brilliantly, and every task was laid out clearly and Alex made sure everyone knew what to do before they started and then moved amongst them, helping give ideas or keep them on track.

Overall 2 hours was not enough for all of Alex’s great ideas but he condensed the tasks to fit our tight timescale.

Thank you so much for coming to school today and for being so wonderful with all the girls and our staff. It was such a privilege to have you with us and I have had so many people telling me how much they enjoyed the assembly and the workshop with a cast member from 42nd street.
Michael thank you to you as well for all your help in booking Clare and putting us in touch. I am sure you are not surprised to hear what a star she was!

The workshop on the 29th was above and beyond what I had expected or hoped for. From the outset Mike you were accommodating about the numbers of students fluctuating and what years they were from. Then heading into the main body of the workshop, the group were utterly mesmerized by your delivery of everything expected. You took them on a journey which just wouldn´t have been the same if anyone else had tried. As the workshop progressed it was obvious to see how much more of an understanding of the play they were developing. You treated them as young adults, spoke to them with respect which was very quickly reciprocated. They were focused throughout the 4-5 hours you worked with them and that´s not an easy feat for anyone. The 6 hour practical assessment lessons which have followed, would not have been as successful without the workshop. I could not have asked for anything more and would give 6 stars if I could. There is no doubt in my mind that I will contacting you again you to do more workshops.Simply amazing. Thank you so much. Fran Gower – El Limonar Internation School (Alicante, Spain).

The best masterclass we have had in..” Pauline Quirke Academy, Bradley Stoke.

What a fantastic day we had! Our west-end star, Jono from Matilda was absolutely brilliant and a very good teacher. The girls were inspired by the routines they learnt and left on such a high! We will definitely be working with stage-ed again. – Katy Johnston, Carshalton school for girls.

Just wanted to say thank you again for Friday’s workshop – it was absolutely brilliant and the students are still raving about it.

I must also let you know that Jake, who I said was not doing drama next year, went home and spoke to his mum and has since enquired about enrolling on a drama course at Strodes! I am over the moon! Thank you!

Look forward to booking you again soon

We found Mike to be very energetic and entertaining. He had a good rapport with the students early on and offered a range of fun and challenging activities. The students were inspired by his enthusiasm and direction to produce some excellent work. They all really enjoyed it and were buzzing about it afterward.

Stage-ed spent only 5 hours with my GCSE students and engaged them in a role play of 45 members living the spirited lives of 7 year old Liverpudlian characters. The imagination and enthusiasm was infectious and brought out creative work from students I have never seen. The knowledge of the play combined with a love of theatre art and enthusiasm for commitment has resulted in a solid learning process from all students involved. This is the second year stage-ed have worked with my students and I thoroughly look forward to the next

Wow. I just wanted to say thank you to all involved today, unfortunately I didn’t get chance to say goodbye. It was fantastic and the students, and staff, loved every minute. It really was a ‘wow’ moment seeing some of our most challenging students working in that way. Wonderful. I can’t wait for Macbeth now!
Thanks again.

Y11 working with Stage-Ed on live literature in the hall. Total mastery of content and creative quality delivery in action. Students hooked and making great progress from their start point this morning.