Joint Stand Out Course as part of Bootle Comedy Festival 2008
Aim
To encourage and increase pupils confidence and self esteem by performing a stand up comedy show as part of Bootle Comedy Festival.
Objectives
* By engaging the young people in stand up comedy techniques to boost their confidence and self-esteem, communication and presentation skills.
* By using comedy as a vehicle to improve the young people’s speaking and listening skills.
* Encourage creativity amongst the group through the generation of comic material and delivery.
Workshops
The workshops were kindly hosted by Hillside High School and were made up with pupils from Hillside, St Wilfrids, St George of England, St Ambrose, Litherland and Savio. Stand up comedian Chris Cairns and creative practitioner Elaine Owen delivered the sessions and ensured that all the participants received adequate support to create comic scenarios and develop them into stand up routines. Microphone skills and delivery techniques ran throughout the project in order to make the final performance as polished and professional as possible.
Outcomes
The project culminated with a large scale showpiece event at Hillside High School in June 08 and a repeat performance at the Space Centre in October 08. This second show formed a major part of the Bootle Festival of Music and Comedy. Students and teachers alike recognised increased confidence and improved techniques of dealing with challenging situations.
Feedback
“I found the course excellent. The tutors had a fantastic manner with young people that supported and empowered them to develop their skills and confidence. The young people from our service regularly talk about the course in a very positive way and recognize that it has given them a tremendous amount of confidence that they have been able to apply to their everyday lives.” Steph Harvey, Youth Leader, Well Young Person’s Project.
“I enjoyed the course because it was funny and made me feel good!.’ Pupil, St Wilfrids High.
“I liked meeting new people on the course and it was definitely given me more confidence.” Pupil, Hillside High School.
Links
Hillside Official Site: http://www.hillsidehigh.co.uk/
Ofsted Report available on: http://www.axcis.co.uk/28307.html
Bootle Comedy Festival: http://www.sefton.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=8487
