Introducing Prospero Theatre Playlists: Free to schools and students
Theatre and film director Marcus Romer, creator of the first Prospero Playlist on directing.
Frustration is a common feeling during this pandemic. The curbs on our daily lives - our inability to socialise, shop, travel or go to the theatre/cinema/concert/stand up - are common to all of us.
Theatre makers have seen some of the strictest curbs, with live performance relying on the social dynamic we all crave. Working in the arts, I regularly sense these frustrations from fellow professionals. These frustrations spill over into arts and theatre education, with schools either closed or limiting access to external visitors. Now Prospero has embarked on the creation of new resources that try to overcome some of these challenges, by bringing insights from some of our finest freelance theatre makers to the remote learning experience. We call them Prospero Playlists.
The concept is both new and familiar. We are asking talented theatre makers from a range of creative disciplines to share insights into their craft via Prospero. Normally we would ask them to demonstrate their techniques and methods with stage actors in workshops (you can see previous examples of this approach here), but this is not possible under our current ‘Stay at Home’ rules. Instead we have asked them to select previously made videos of scenes from plays and films to illustrate the methods they are describing. We also ask them to give us personal insights into their selections. It’s a bit like Desert Island Discs’ for theatre practitioners.
The commentaries are deliberately designed to help students learn new tools that they might want to use in their own drama work. For example, how POV helps audiences empathise with characters, or how sound and colour can be used to underscore or emphasise dramatic actions. Because our Prospero technology can seamlessly integrate these clips into our online workshops we can marshall some of the greatest filmed moments of drama for our own ends. The structure is simple and Prospero’s accessible digital tools means we can produce these resources with ease. And we’re giving talented creatives ways of being artistically productive during these challenging times.
Each Prospero Playlist is designed to run 45mins- 1 hour. You just need any digital device to access them - a smartphone will do. They are intended for any teacher to share them with students who are struggling to find creative ways of learning online beyond watching yet more pre-recorded live streams.
The first Prospero Playlist is available now. Director Marcus Romer (Pilot Theatre, Stratford East, York Theatre Royal) talks about his approach to theatre and film making with young actors. Next week playwright Phil Porter (Royal Shakespeare Company, Frantic Assembly) will share moments of great writing. Playlists on acting and musical will follow soon after. For updates make sure you check the ‘join our mailing list box’ on Prospero and we will keep you informed.