IB Theatre Students Dive into Devising Theatre with Logan Robins

This week, Grade 11 and 12 IB Theatre students had the incredible opportunity to participate in a devising theatre workshop led by Logan Robins. Devising theatre is a collaborative process where performers create original work together, shaping the narrative through improvisation, movement, and experimentation. It requires trust, communication, and a willingness to take creative risks.

 

Logan Robins, who runs outreach workshops and programs through Dalhousie University, guided our students through an engaging and thought-provoking session. The workshop emphasized the importance of clear communication, active collaboration, and the classic improvisational principle of “yes, and” when building on ideas. Rather than simply discussing concepts, students were encouraged to physically explore and test their ideas, discovering what worked organically through performance.

 

The workshop began with the written prompt: “The day the forest grew silent.” Initially, students were hesitant, navigating the vulnerability of sharing ideas in small groups. However, as the session progressed, they found their voices, embracing physicality and leaning into the creative process. Their devised scenes evolved to include dialogue, musical instruments, and structured prompts that encouraged experimentation.

 

One of the key lessons explored was the beauty of creation through restriction. Students were given specific challenges – such as incorporating a particular line of dialogue, executing a 360-degree turn, or performing a section without words. These creative limitations pushed students to think creatively and find unique solutions within their scenes.

 

A huge thank you to Logan Robins and the team at Dalhousie University for organizing such a meaningful and inspiring workshop. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore the power of devised theatre and develop their collaborative storytelling skills!