Training

• A practical approach to using drama with groups

  This day long course is facilitated by Sarah Osborne for any professional who wants a toolbox of drama games and exercises to use with the groups they work with.  The techniques participants will acquire will be appropriate for groups of any age group and background.  Ideal for anyone new to using drama but will also extend the repertoire of more experienced professionals.

  The fee for the course is £75 + VAT per delegate (lunch is provided) and the next course will take place on the 17th of March for further information email info@yew-tree.com

  Voice for Non - Actors

  A half day introductory course facilitated by Sarah Osborne that will offer practical ways of protecting and developing the voice for professionals who spends their day talking, presenting or announcing. 

  The fee for the course is £50 + VAT per delegate and the next course will take place on the 16th of March for further information email info@yew-tree.com

• “Step Away”
  
  In partnership with St Anne’s housing association Sarah is delivering unique training throughout the year at sites across Yorkshire and the North East. The “Step Away” course develops the ability of professionals working with vulnerable adults to deal with challenging behaviour. It looks particularly at personal safety, de-escalation and crisis management.
  
  The course combines forum theatre with active learning techniques and is underpinned by theoretical frameworks. Sarah also delivers St Anne’s Diversity training throughout the organisation. This innovative mandatory training explores with participants how to welcome diversity within the world of work in practical terms and real life situations.

  
  

Education

• SEAL

  Sarah is working in association with Melanie Barber the Primary Strategy Consultant – for Behaviour and attendance and SEAL to produce a training day for teachers looking at how SEAL can work alongside the literacy curriculum. The one day course will practically explore how these complimentary aspects of primary education can be combined with mutually beneficial results.

• Aim Higher

Sarah has been commissioned by Aim Higher to repeat this successful project after great success in 2009. The drama experience created for Wakefield Primary Schools will tour during July 2010 promoting the Aim Higher message of continuing education. Year 6 pupils will have the opportunity to work with artists for an afternoon to devise a piece of theatre based on a Dr Seuss style script which will then be performed to parents at the end of the school day. 


• Say the Words
  
  Say the Words (written and directed by Sarah) has just come to the end of an utterly successful tour of Year 9 classes in Wakefield High Schools. The production, and accompanying workshop, raised issues relating to the Teenage Pregnancy Team's national message of "delay," safe sex and the effect of alcohol on decision making. It tells the story of a teenage couple whose lives are irrevocably changed by their decision to have sex. The response to the productions by pupils and teachers has been so positive that this was the third tour the Wakefield Teenage Pregnancy Team have commissioned in under 2 years and Sarah looks forward to working with them again in the future.
  
  

Theatre Direction

• “How Much R U Worth?”
  
  “How Much R U Worth?” has been commissioned by Healthy Schools. It’s a play written by Sarah Osborne for Year 3 and 4 pupils in the Outwood Grange pyramid. The play is part of a Sex and Relationship Education programme and explores themes of self worth, image and valuing people on their personalities rather than their appearance. 

The first section of the tour is now complete with a universally positive response from all of the schools that hosted the performances. The company are about to go into rehearsals for the second leg of the tour

• “Sparkleshark” by Phillip Ridley is now well into rehearsals with local performances in March 2010 and April 2010 with a one night only showing at The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. This vibrant and energetic performance is ideal for schools and small scale venues.
  
  

Writing

• 

  Currently in development are two solo shows – working title “Getting Through?” that explores what it is to grow up in Wakefield. The two 30 minute shows feature the stories of a 19 year Jordan and 30 year old Hannah for whom life has never been particularly easy but because of their unique way of looking at the world they have somehow managed to emerge from their challenges with their sanity and optimism intact.  Sarah is delighted to have received funding from Arts Council England to develop the piece. “Getting Through” will tour late Summer 2010.

• Sarah’s newest commission is from Targeted Mental Health in Wakefield to create a theatre in education event that helps year 6 pupils deal with the transition from primary education to high school.  Work is just about to begin on the development of the script and the production will tour primary schools in the summer term.