CPD for Teachers
Through our CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme, we work with Primary teachers, English and Drama teachers at Secondary level and Drama teachers at BA and MA level, to explore unique theatre-based approaches to support their teaching practices.
Our CPD programme is run by Butterfly Chief Artistic Director Aileen Gonsalves and Butterfly Education Consultant Dr Tracy Irish. Aileen and Tracy have extensive experience using theatre and performance techniques and methodologies for the purposes of education, and have a particular expertise in working with Shakespeare.
We explore approaches that encourage young people’s informed personal responses to texts through creative, critical thinking in collaboration with others. We do this through teaching the simple and practical steps of The Gonsalves Method that both the teachers and students can use in their teaching and learning process, which develops skills and abilities to work with curiosity, courage and resilience.
We deliver our CPD both online, in person or as blended sessions.
“Aileen Gonsalves is a mainstay of HM’s faculty CPD for teachers of students aged 3 to 18. She is masterful at translating rehearsal room techniques into engaging classroom exercises, and her work with teachers to create new curricula and site-specific projects has transformed our program.”
— Adam Cadsin, Former Chair at Horace Mann Upper Division English
What we cover
Working with Shakespeare Text
With any Shakespeare text, we explore:
Understanding character and motivation.
The language, form and structure of the text and how actors work with this to create meaning.
How the text was shaped by the time in which it was written, and how interpretation and performance today is shaped by the times we live in now.
The Gonsalves Method
On this course we explore:
A methodical and replicable approach to exploring and rehearsing any text - it is practical, quick and clear.
How to create a responsive performance.
Working with other texts
Our CPD courses are bespoke. We will discuss with you what you aim to achieve in the sessions and which texts you wish to focus on. Our practical processes can be applied to working with any text.
Resources
For a detailed outline of the topics covered in the Continuing Professional Development courses, our book Shakespeare and Meisner, a practical handbook, written by the course leaders Aileen and Tracy, is an invaluable complementary resource. It is part of the Arden Performance Companions Series and it is especially useful when relating to the use of Shakespeare text. This clear guide is great for teachers to have as a practical reference when implementing the techniques into their own teaching.
All participants on the Butterfly CPD course will receive a discount code to buy your own copy.
