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Easter Workshop at Eastborough
Mrs Jones and Miss Blackman hosted a workshop based around The Greatest Showman at the Eastborough hub during the holidays, for students of key-workers.
‘We began exploring the theme of circus and playing around with a number of props and equipment,’ said Miss Blackman. ‘Some students were already very talented with cartwheels and flips which was very impressive.’
Other students used hula hoops and skipping ropes to imagine they were on the highest tightrope. Whilst they practised, they thought about the character they wanted to portray.
‘We then moved on to learning about the diaphragm and how to breathe properly in singing,’ said Miss Blackman, ‘and practising American accents helped with the song, too! Learning the song was fairly easy, because most students knew the lyrics already. The boys took the ‘Eh Eh Eh’ part of the song even though they had pretended not to know it. It was sounding great. Then Gracie belted out a note which took us all by surprise! It was such a powerful sound. Gracie ended up taking the solo and, although nervous, her voice was brilliant and the confidence she gained from performing it was wonderful to see.’
Mrs Jones began teaching them the choreography to the song. ‘The students picked up the moves so quickly,’ she said. ‘All the teachers got involved too, and it was an energetic atmosphere to have everyone moving in the space. Repetition and rehearsal made for a fantastic muscle memory of the moves.’
Students then used improvisation skills, utilising the circus moves they’d acquired earlier in the day. ‘Each pair made up a small section and we created a ‘freestyle’ circle which involved everyone,’ said Mrs Jones. ‘Each student could do whatever they desired within the parameters of the circus theme. It took some practice but we made it back in the space in time for the final number, This is me, which was the perfect ending to an exciting workshop!’