Students behind the masks

28 July 2006

Most university students are currently enjoying their summer break from lectures but one group of students couldn’t stay away from NEWI last week when they were given the opportunity to come in and take part in something a bit different.

The 14 students on the Youth and Community degree course were invited to participate in a five day mask making and mask theatre residency run by Trading Faces.  The week was organised by their Senior Lecturer, Kathy Edmonds as part of an Excellence in Teaching Award which she received. 

The workshop included a combination of performance skills and practical mask making skills and culminated in everyone taking part in a short performance.  Kathy Edmonds explained the purpose of the workshop, she said, “Masks can be used to explore identity as well as cultural diversity and can be used to celebrate human creativity.  The students have learnt so much and they will what they have learnt will really help when they work with young people in the community.”

The social and practical skills acquired by the students will be used with the community and youth groups that they work with in their professional practice. 

Kathy Edmonds will also be running a half day workshop on “Creativity and Professional Practice” which will be held at NEWI on Thursday 7th December 2006.  Anyone interested in attending the workshop should contact Kathy Edmonds on 01978 293258 or email k.edmonds@newi.ac.uk.