Theatre Courses

Exciting workshops, classes and courses to educate and motivate high school students

For further details, see below.

The drama course

I conduct a series of  theatre courses, ranging from 1 – 5 full days, or 10 mornings.  These are intensive but fun classes and students work towards a work-in-progress performance at the end of the course.

Students are introduced to many acting techniques including the following modules:

people, play, costumes
  • Acting Tools:  warm up games, movement, mime, voice, relaxation, emotions, memory and confidence.
  • Improvisation:  group and solo
  • Acting and Reacting
  • The History and Development of the English Theatre
  • Shakespeare
  • Ways into Monologues
  • Scene Study
  • TV Work:  students will write and create a TV commercial on location
  • Presenting
  • Musical Theatre
  • The Unfinished Scene
  • Mask Work
  • Behind the Scenes
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theatre Workshops

The Theatre Workshops below cover a wide variety of subjects.  All are interactive and last 1.5 hours.  Students are constantly involved in all activities.

For further details, contact me.

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UK History and culture Workshop

stonehenge, sky, circle

The history, traditions and popular culture of the UK are brought to life in this very enjoyable workshop. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some fascinating historical figures before bringing these characters to life through stories.

London’s locations and attractions come alive too through music and drama, as students receive some acting preparation. A well-known English song will also be studied, and at the end of the lesson there will be time for students to ask questions on any UK topic! This informative and fun workshop will motivate students to discover more about the UK and English.

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The development of english drama

This workshop introduces students to the early days of English literature with a number of interactive and informative exercises. It follows the turbulent history of the medieval period and the development of theatre from simple tableaux in churches, to the mystery and miracle plays. Chaucer’s masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, also features as students create the pilgrims before a tale is performed.

Students will also be tutored in simple acting exercises needed for performance, and take part in all aspects of the workshop

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An Introduction to William Shakespeare

This workshop introduces high school students to the life and works of William Shakespeare using a series of fun, informative and interactive exercises. We explore how Shakespeare lived and worked in 16th century London, before bringing some of his most famous scenes to life with student participation!

Students will also discover how an actor prepares using a variety of theatrical exercises. This class can be adapted to suit all levels.

In the finale, Shakespeare’s rhythm is explored and compared to the beat and rhythm of today’s music. This is a fun class and students will gain confidence in acting, speaking and studying Shakespeare.

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Oscar Wilde & the victorian age

This interesting, enjoyable and interactive workshop explores the Victorian Age, and the life and times of the author and playwright, Oscar Wilde.

This period gave us a new young queen, the industrial revolution, the British Empire, as well as education and exciting literature. However it was also a time of crime and depravity.

Students will bring this period to life before taking part in a dramatised story of the life of Wilde, and a retelling of his classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Students will then have the chance to take part in two condensed scenes. Voice and acting exercises will form part of this workshop in preparation for performance.

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Advanced theatre workshops

  • Advanced Shakespeare:   a particular play can be studied in more detail: Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear
  • Christopher Marlowe & Dr Faustus
  • The Augustan Age
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Happy Clients

Gary has found an innovative and very attractive way to introduce Shakespeare to students: they have always enjoyed his workshops a lot, and given high marks when asked for feedback.

Giovanni Ferrari

Tuscany

His enthusiasm for teaching inspired me to invite him to my school to work with my students, who are not so keen to study English.  Well a miracle happened on stage.  Gary involved everyone in the workshop.  Even those who had never say a word in English in class and the students with special needs, did something on stage.  To see him interact with my students when teaching Shakespeare is something to behold.

Prof. Giuliana Tedde

I.I.S.Aldini Valeriani - Sirani Bologna , Italy

Gary’s love and knowledge of Shakespeare shines throughout his lessons!  He wants his students to discover and share his love of the Bard.  No two lessons are the same, they are very interactive and every student is involved.

Brenda Garrick

Actor & Author of Jamakespeare, UK.

Mr Gary Fordham has successfully co-operated with our secondary school for several years. He is a very professional theatre actor and at the same time he is friendly and involving. Our students experienced various workshops on Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Theatre, on the Royal family but also on other topics, tailor-made for us. Unforgettable!!

Prof. Annamaria Romagnoli

Liceo Linguistico C. Darwin-Rivoli (Turin), Italy

Gary has performed a more than excellent job at my former school – IIS NATTA – Rivoli (To) – Italy – where he held his tremendously interesting and deeply appreciated workshops for the entire school.

He held his workshops for three years (2017, 2018, 2019) where he had great success in bringing the students nearer to the English language, engaging them in collaborative work, having them laugh a lot and letting them understand more about British culture.

We are anyway looking forward to proceeding with our collaboration with Gary.

Patrizia Maimone

Teacher of English, Liceo Scientifico Darwin, Rivoli (To), Italy

City tours and theatres activities with Gary are terrific! The students really enjoy spending time with him and are deeply engaged in interacting and improving their language skills and their cultural knowledge. Highly recommended!

Marzia Pilan

Turin, Italy

The Theatre Workshops, led by Gary were amazing as students of all levels and ages were kept engaged throughout.  Gary has excellent communication skills and starts by building a rapport with the students.

This workshop develops skills in English, communication and acting, and students are very excited about  engaging in Shakespeare’s plays for the first time and have good fun throughout.

I have been working with Gary for many years and the workshops are just top level in every sense.

Alusens Barburins

Co-ordinator of Russian students on Study Holidays to London