B Ed4 Drama Specialism Students Visit The Ark

Dr Annie Ó Breacháin together with final year Drama Specialism students undertaking the ‘Leadership in Drama Education ’module  visited The Ark, a unique purpose-built cultural centre for children, to see ‘Grand Soft Day’ produced by Branar (Ireland) and New International Encounter (UK/Norway) as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival. The focus of the module is on student teachers becoming confident, competent leaders of Drama Education in schools and communities. Students link with local and national arts agencies and after visiting the Ark, the next step for these student teachers is to develop materials that will support teachers and children’s engagement with the play across a six-week period. The idea is that whilst attending the play as an event in itself is a valuable arts experience, there is more to be gained when teachers and children are afforded pre and post theatre engagements. We are very much looking forward to seeing what the student teachers create and their work will be shared at a conference for peers and invited guests in December.