We run two sessions on Tuesday evenings:
6pm – 6.45pm Reception, Y1, Y2 (Little Stars) £5
7pm – 8.00pm Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 (Super Stars) £5
Sessions take place in the Drama Studio at Formby High School. We involve modern and creative dance, singing and percussion, improvisation and storytelling. Creative art activities, costumes and technical theatre elements are used to engage and enhance the overall experience. As our children progress they develop their knowledge of backstage theatre, working with props, scenery, lighting and sound.
We tailor our sessions to be age appropriate and fun. Dance, drama and music sessions for younger children encourage confidence, creativity, expression and imagination, and develop early performance skills.
Sessions for older ones continue to develop confidence, creativity, expression and imagination, but also introduce improvisation, script work, voice projection and singing.
Our Story
Stars Workshop was created following the success of Rainbow Children’s Theatre Workshop. Many of our Stars team worked in or with Rainbow CTW or were members themselves! Stars workshop promotes confidence, creativity, cooperation, concentration and communication and does this through fun, enjoyable themed sessions leading to performances for family and friends. Stars sessions aim to bring out the very best in children, building on skills and sharing talents. Sessions and shows are colourful, fun and full of life. All families are welcome to get fully involved in productions and stage shows by building sets, making props, sewing costumes, choreographing dances, designing programmes, selling tickets, running dressing rooms or making up our wonderful casts! We have a team of teenage volunteers who enjoy working with children and being involved in the theatre. Many take part as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award and often stay for many years. Some are ex- Stars and others join us when they start secondary school, sixth form college or university. Many of our past Stars and Rainbow teams have become drama and dance teachers, directors, actors or run their own theatre groups.
Our Aims
We Build Confidence
Experience of drama and performing arts helps children and young people to understand how to appraise situations, think ‘outside the box’ and be more confident when faced with unfamiliar events. Children learn to trust their ideas and abilities and become more confident in putting forward their own ideas. They develop a sense of belief in their own abilities and unique talents. Confidence can be transferred into all areas of life, increasing a sense of positivity and well-being.
We Encourage Creativity
Being creative, and learning to make creative choices, helps children to be better at thinking of new ideas, allowing them to view the world around them in different ways. Our workshops provide children with the opportunity to be creative and to celebrate fantasy and imagination. Ideas are explored and improvised, through dance, drama, music, art, make up, costume, sound and lighting to create productions and performances for each other, small groups and wider audiences. We use new technology and develop confidence to experiment with it.
We Increase Cooperation
Theatre and drama enables people to collaborate. The quality of a performance is partly determined by how well people work together as a team. Combining the creative ideas and abilities of all participants is required for the best outcomes. Success requires all, including those working backstage and in technical teams, to engage in discussions, feedback, rehearsals and performance. Understanding characters, roles and the subtext of plays and musicals allows children to understand, value and relate to different situations, people and cultures. It encourages them to show compassion, empathy, patience, and tolerance.
We Improve Concentration
Playing, practising, and performing develops children’s ability to be able to focus the mind, body, and voice. Rehearsing and performing lines and movements improve memory skills. Drama brings elements of play, humour, and laughter to those taking part – increasing motivation and reducing stress. Performing arts exercises improve flexibility, coordination, balance, and control.
We Develop Communication
Drama, theatre and the performing arts improves verbal and non-verbal communication, benefiting children throughout their lives. They also develop good vocal projection, articulation, tone of speech and expression. Listening and observation skills are increased as well. Drama games and acting allow children to express a range of emotions and can encourage them to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing. Tension is released in a safe, controlled environment, with periods of reflection to help develop emotional intelligence.