About Freshwater Theatre Company
Who we are
Helen Wood and Carol Tagg head an expanding team of performers, workshop leaders and storytellers. Between them they have over twenty years of primary teaching experience. They have also worked extensively in theatre, performing and directing on the London fringe and in community theatres, touring T.I.E. in Europe and leading a wide variety of drama workshop projects.
In 1996 they decided to combine their knowledge, experience and skills in primary education and drama and formed Freshwater Theatre Company.
Freshwater Theatre Company is proud to be one of the most respected drama-in-education companies in the UK. Over the last thirteen years, the company has brought educational drama to thousands of children in nursery, primary and special needs schools all over London and the South East and more recently to regions around Bristol, Bath, Birmingham and Greater Manchester.
What we believe
Drama is a valuable part of a child's education, providing a unique w
ay for them to learn and express themselves creatively. Drama can bring a near limitless range of subjects to life — and when children immerse themselves in a dramatic experience they remember it for years to come, perhaps even for life.
Our methods have helped draw children's interest to subjects that might have otherwise seemed difficult to penetrate. Through our shows and sessions, and through our Inset training, we can help make drama an integral part of your curriculum planning.
You now have the chance to see for yourself the benefits of our work and become one of the many schools we are visiting every year.
What we do
We come to your school to deliver theatre shows, drama sessions and storytelling for children and drama and MFL Inset courses for teachers. Our activities are tailored to QCA schemes of work and cross-curricular topics and seek to educate, enthral and inspire. Whether we are bringing children face-to-face with characters from history, taking them on a magical story hunt, or transporting them to the farthest corners of the world, our shows and sessions are highly interactive, colourful, exciting and fun. They bring the curriculum to life and get the children involved. Our work addresses the varied learning needs of different children. It also provides teachers with the valuable opportunity to observe and assess in what can be a demanding teaching schedule.
History Shows
We offer five theatrical history shows to schools located in and around Greater London. They are performed by two actors, involve colourful characters in costume, sets, artefacts and unique interactive tasks. Each show encourages audience participation, has an entertaining and exciting storyline and is suitable for audiences of up to 120 children.
Interactive drama sessions
A single facilitator encourages children to be part of the action and explore the subject in a fun and creative way. The varied formats for our interactive group sessions include drama workshops, meetings with characters, role plays and story workshops. Each session is for a maximum of 30 children. The variety of drama and teaching techniques may include: improvisation; tableaux; co-operative games; song; dance; movement; storytelling; Q&A; debate; and examining and handling artefacts and props.
Check which workshops are available in Greater London and Around the UK.
Leap into Language
Leap into Language is a programme of accessible drama activities to support MFL teaching as well as core communication and speaking skills. We are offering inspiring and magical storytelling performances for large groups of KS2 children. Traditional tales are told in an energetic, interactive format in French, Spanish or German. We also offer Let's Communicate, a unique communication workshop to prepare KS1 students for MFL studies in KS2, and Confident Speaker, a session that improves speaking, listening and presentation skills through drama.
From Summer 2010, we will be offering Leap into Sign Language sessions as both interactive workshops and large groups presentations. Our specialist facilitator will combine storytelling, poetry, songs and games with learning some basic BSL signs in this highly visual and expressive language. The fun activities will heighten your students' awareness and improve their communication skills.
Inset courses for teachers
Our drama Inset courses, which are held in school, will provide teachers with the necessary skills to use drama as an effective teaching tool and the confidence to use the techniques themselves.
We also offer a specialist MFL Inset course for teachers, which will empower them to use drama in the every-day teaching of MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) and develop students' language and communication skills.
We aim to exceed expectations
“The session surpassed what we were expecting and matched exactly what the children were learning in the classroom.”
Mrs S Reed, Hursthead Infant School, Cheshire
“There was an excellent balance of activities — listening, discussion, presenting, acting. The children were challenged and also learnt a great deal.”
Emma Benwell, St. Peter's C.E. Primary School, Hammersmith
“Another fabulous morning. We particularly appreciated the opportunities for pupil participation.”
Julie Ashworth, Hartley Primary School, Kent