This workshop for 8 - 16 year olds focused loosely on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and was designed to be fun rather than learning how to be a great Shakespearean actor! It looked at Shakespeare's poetry but also at his insults - his themes but also at his slapstick comedy.

A week of creative workshops for 8-16 year olds

Monday 19th to Friday 23rd July 2010

The workshop was be held in Roumagne near Miramont from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd July 2010.

Each day lasted from 10 until 3:30 and was devoted to different aspects of the play: music, art, drama, costume, dance... taught by guest teachers from the UK. All the different elements were brought together on the Friday when the participants staged several scenes from the play from 5-6 pm.

The week was aimed at English speakers - although French children with an adequate level of English to follow and participate were more than welcome and we had a mixture of nationalities present!

Thank you to Angloinfo Dordogne and Appleby, Hope & Matthews Solicitors for sponsoring our event.

Staff profiles

The workshop was taught by Moira Stephen and Heather Wilson-Queen.

Moira Stephen

Moira has worked variously in publishing, journalism and PR, but her most recent work has been teaching English and Drama to students across the age range from 11- 18.

Latterly her work as Head of Department and an examiner for GCSE and iGCSE has given her a particular interest in considering different learning styles of students and applying different teaching styles to fit individuals.

In France, she has been delighted to find BEE and the opportunities it is offering to its students both on a weekly basis in its classes and in its workshops - it has created a rich learning environment for many students, who, without it, would have missed out on creative activities in their first language.

Her students learn to think independently and creatively, and through role-play and improvisation they gain in confidence and recognition of their own value and ability.

Heather Wilson-Queen

After receiving a Bachelor of Education degree from Lancaster University, Heather has taught art for twenty six years in secondary education working across a wide range of abilities. Her teaching experience includes work with students ranging from 5 to 70 years of age. Until recently she ran an adult art group in Kent, England. Prior to this, Heather spent seventeen years as Head of Art across three different secondary schools in Kent. She has taught, examined and moderated art GCSE, taught A level art and prepared students for entrance into art foundation courses.

Alongside her work as an artist, Heather also trained as an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist at The Institute for Therapy and Education based in Islington, London. Working as a community Artist, she has facilitated workshops with further education students, disabled adults, youth groups and mental health patients. Heather has skills and teaching experience in ceramics, textiles, printmaking, mask-making, drawing and painting.