Willy Russell - Stage-ed Patron

Having seen the performance in Malvern the week before, it was great to have Mike & Stage-ed to do a workshop with Drama students from Years 9-10. It was brilliant to have our students practically working on such an emotive play, having experienced it the week before. Some of our students are performing excerpts for assessments, some are reviewing and it was an outstanding opportunity. This was all topped off with the inspirational lead of our very own Scouser for the day, Mike Southern. Thank you Mike & Stage-ed from all here @RGSWDrama.

After researching the new spec for Edexcel our school felt a workshop by STAGED would be a great foundation for the pupils and give myself new ideas for exploring the text. Mike was an enthusiastic practitioner and helped put students at ease straight away. He enabled pupils of all abilities to examine many of the key themes and characters of the text and it was a great and exciting morning.

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.

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

On Thursday 7th July The Sele School Year 10 Drama GCSE students received a professional workshop based on the Willy Russell play Blood Brothers, as part of their course. Mike Southern, from the company STAGE-ED, delivered a two hour intensive session, which required students to develop their physical and vocal acting skills, delve deeper into the issues laid out by Russell in the play and bring out their inner child to play seven year olds. The workshop was a resounding success and the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves, whilst gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for the acting industry. Many thanks to Mike and STAGE-ED for providing such a fulfilling session.
Genuinely, it was a fantastic session and the students were quite overwhelmed with – in their words – ‘meeting a REAL one!’ Not sure if they meant a real professional actor, or a real Scouser, but either way they were impressed!!

Since Stage-Ed have delivered their workshop, our students have taken themselves to a new a level of focus and engagement I never thought possible. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and have left feeling confident in their ability to perform and understand Blood Brothers. The day was ran with energy and enthusiasm which clearly showed their passion for theatre and this certainly rubbed off on our students. The workshop consisted of whole group, small group and individual activities which in particular we felt helped inspire our students who were previously struggling with the text. We would highly recommend Stage-Ed for any school workshops and we will certainly be using them again in the future.

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.

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!

Thanks so much for the energetic, stimulating and inspiring workshop yesterday. For many students that was their bravest experience of drama yet (performing in front of people not in their teaching group)! The ensemble pieces and scripts extracts were super – I absolutely loved the way you set the workshop up so that it had breadth and depth, energy and focus and great balance between fun and serious engagement. The students had a really fantastic time and have had a superb introduction to the world of music theatre, from a professional viewpoint and with your years of experience backing up every nugget of info you gave them. The visit from the cast members was really inspiring too, and gave so much food for thought beyond the day. Please pass on my thanks once more to Maureen and Danielle, and for their great connection with children they had never met – up for answering a huge range of questions with great ease! I will totally be recommending you to every drama teacher I meet.

We had Stage-ed in to work with our GCSE English students on An Inspector Calls and they really brought the texts to life. Mike sharing his experience as a performer really helped to give the pupils a clear perspective on the impact of stagecraft. Stage Ed were really accommodating and the pupils learned a lot from the sessions, it was a great experience.

Nearly 50 Y11 students from St. Joseph’s College, Reading travelled up to see one of the final performances of Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End before it closed. The students were thrilled and amazed at the quality of acting; also reduced to tears before the final curtain came down. The following Monday we were very excited to welcome Lou and Mike, members of the cast we had seen to our College to conduct a workshop. The pupils were treated to a professional insight into what it is like to be a performer at the very highest level. The students were very active and completed a range of exercises ranging from theatre games to scripted scenes. To say the students were inspired is an understatement and we would definitely recommend this experience to any Drama Department in the country. The workshop leaders were happy to tailor the experience on the day as a Y11 GCSE Group benefitted from help in developing a devised piece they were working on. The students were buzzing from the visit and it was refreshing for them to ask questions about the profession that were answered fully by working professionals. More than a workshop, more like a real experience of ‘Theatre’ in every sense of the word.

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.

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

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.

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.

All I can say is, thank you!!!!! Craig was bloody fantastic in the We Will Rock You workshop and brilliant with teaching the students and also giving staff techniques for us to use in the future. Craig was amazing to work with. Thank you for organising this for us

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.”

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

WOW! We were utterly blown away last week – thank you for our wonderful workshop! The children had a ball and learnt so much, the teachers learnt a great deal too. I will definitely be calling Stage-ed again. Thank you for inspiring our children! You are amazing.

Gareth was absolutely amazing in the National Theatre Connections workshop. His whole persona was incredible. He was extremely inspiration, approachable, professional and very friendly. He was such a lovely man. He gave the students time at the end to answer any questions, which went down really well. He was superb and I’m so grateful you sent him!

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Mike @Stage-ed for spending the day with us on Saturday and the super Blood Brothers workshop. The young people were simultaneously hanging on every word and yet given scope to be really creative. They played loads of group games and energisers, got some spot of careers and audition advice, chance to really get to grips with sections of the play as whole groups and pairs. Crucially they were taught so much useful vocab and theatrical terms. Mike delivered this with fantastic energy and maintained the mixed age and gender kids focus throughout. Absolute magic….and looking already at when we can do it again! Eva Pearson, Head of drama, Tavistock College.

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.

Your Blood Brother’s workshop was seriously amazing, enriching the students’ understanding of text, ensemble work, and stagecraft. Thank you! Have you back again soon

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).

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.

The workshop was very interesting for all of the students. The warm up put all the students at ease and the manner of the leaders was excellent. The Q&A; was very useful especially to students wishing to take drama further

“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.”

Thank you so much to Lou and Jo for providing such a fantastic workshop yesterday! The students loved every second and the yr11’s feel really excited about their performance exam on Tuesday! I would also like to share my appreciation as the ladies stayed a little longer so the year 11 students could perform some of their scenes from the Blood Brothers exam piece while Lou and Jo provided feedback and advice. This was above and beyond what they came to do and we were all so appreciative of it. I would absolutely love to stay in contact for future sessions. Thank you again for such a fun and purposeful end to the week.

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

Gareth was amazing with the students and we had a wonderful session with him. I particularly thought the way he put them at ease and made them feel it was ok to be themselves thoroughly helped. I would recommend him to anyone. We are booking you again next year for The Crucible.