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SHEREE VICKERS
teaching ~ past projects

Sheree is continually developing her theatre practise both with her own projects and in collaboration with other companies, organisations and schools. She is also the Artistic Director for SAVVY THEATRE ~ a not-for-profit company dedicated to Youth & Community Arts.

ICARUS was devised by the Croydon Young People's Theatre and directed by Sheree Vickers.   Throughout the summer term 2008, the group examined different texts, physical theatre styles, stage combat and used improvisation, movement and Mask to help explore and develop their own unique interpretation of the ancient story of ICARUS – the boy who flew too close to the sun. "For Icarus, these cautions went in one ear and out the other. Who could remember to be careful when he was to fly for the first time?"

When the group began the process of devising this piece, 13 young people had lost their lives on London streets to knife crime. We decided to keep a close eye on the news to see how many more had died by the time of the performances...

SECOND FROM LAST IN THE SACK RACE
by Michael Birch (from the novel by David Nobbs)
To coincide with the official launch of SAVVY THEATRE COMPANY, Sheree directed an inter-generational piece set during WWII with a combined cast of teenagers and older people. Many of the older members of the cast were evacuated during this time and the project used script, improvisation and filmed memories of all those involved.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS UNIQUE PROJECT

A DRAGONS TALE
Sheree wrote and directed this fun fantasy tale which was performed on Sunday, 2nd December 2007 at the Adrian Mann Theatre with an inclusive group of young people aged from 6 - 19years from the DELLA ACADEMY OF ARTS.
The production introduced the group to commedia, puppetry, audience participation and physical theatre.
Previous productions for the Academy have included:

• A TRUNKFUL OF TALES, Charles Cryer Theatre 2008
• PIRATES!, Secombe Theatre 2006
• 10 Things I Kate About Shrew, Secombe Theatre 2005
• SCROOGE!, Secombe Theatre 2004

THE BARD, THE BLADE AND THE BADDIE!
SUTTON YOUTH DRAMA FESTIVAL (2007/2008)
Sheree has been the Festival Director for this very special weekend event over the past two years that allows young people from across the borough to explore a wide range of performing styles and different skills, culminating in a shared performance at the Secombe Theatre, Sutton.

In 2005/2006, Sheree was the Education Officer at UNICORN THEATRE during the official opening of their new £13million theatre on London's Tooley Street.
Her duties as Education Officer included:

• the set-up, management and facilitation of their weekly YOUTH THEATRE for 9-14yr olds
• devising and leading show-related school workshops for TOMS MIDNIGHT GARDEN
• assisting and advising on their INTEGRATED SIGNED INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES programme
• FIRST IMPRESSIONS for their official opening in association with Barclays bank
• devising and leading the FAMILY DAY WORKSHOP PROGRAMME for Tom's Midnight Garden, Journey to the River Sea and Yikes!

Prior to becoming Education Officer Sheree had joined the Unicorn at the Royal Opera House, to observe a Family Day workshop for their co-production of Clockwork and worked with Cecily O'Neill on a Research & Development project for THE GOLDEN APPLE. During the summer of 2005 she was busy with THE PLAYBOOK PROJECT in two Southwark SEN schools.

From September 2006 to April 2007 Sheree was busy directing and editing the FALLEN ANGELS 10th Anniversary Film Project "A Decade of Dramatics" (which will be shown as part of Merton's Celebrating Age festival in September) and in November 2007 she directed members in a very special intergenerational theatre project. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

BENSHAM MANOR CHRISTMAS PROJECT 2006
For one week in December, pupils at Croydon's Bensham Manor school worked with Sheree to create an original piece of theatre using African rhythms, dance, drama and song inspired by the story of The Little Drummer Boy. At the end of the week, the piece was presented to families and friends at two very special performances.

The River people must leave their home.
The Desert people need help to survive.
The Wise Tribe send a message into the night trusting the legacy of their ancestors who followed a star.

Sheree continues to attend a variety of professional workshops and seminars. In the past these have included:

• FIGHTING FORM DAY with Lloyd Caldwell – Commedia dell’Arte slapstick and knockabout fights, 2007.
• DRAMA INSIDE Workshop, Escape Artists - approaching the issues involved in delivering drama activities to imprisoned adults and young people, 2006.
• The National Association of Youth Theatres - DISABILITY ARTS CONFERENCE, Liverpool 2005
• Keith Park's Othello workshop, incorporating Shakespeare's language, Islam and BSL for those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties at Shakespeare's Globe, 2005.
• The 2005 NYU Conference in London - observing Dorothy Heathcote and Gavin Bolton in action!
• London Bubble Theatre Company, Community Theatre Workshop, 2005.

Other past projects have also included:

• MASK, MUSIC, MELODRAMA & MAYHEM with two Caterham youth theatre groups (in association with Out Of This World Theatre and the Miller Centre) 2007.
• A weekly after-school drama club for children with ADHD and EBD (emotional behavioural difficulties) 2003/2003.
• Family based drama workshops for the SOHO THEATRE'S 2003 Writers Festival.
• A rehearsed presentation of 'Jack & The Beanstalk' with Merton Crossroads (a fortnightly group designed to give respite to carers of Autistic children) that helped secure future funding, 2003.
• A 10week in-school project at Catherington School, Crawley with PMLD & other Special Needs
• and in 2004 & 2005, she was a specialist workshop leader for the SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL, where she also led training days in SEN practise for other drama practitioners.