What is DAZZLE?
Images from 'The Bus Stop' at The Space in Stroud in August 2007
DAZZLE was started by Sarah Davis-Berry. After studying Theatre Arts and Dance A'Level's, Sarah has spent 15 years enjoying amateur dramatics at various theatres in Nottingham, Leicester and Stroud, often assisting with the children's choreography during pantomines and musicals. It was living in Gloucestershire with her own young family when she felt something important was missing for young children and started DAZZLE, Children's Creative Workshops.
A big childhood memory is often the big school show, whether we are a policeman, a builder or an accountant, we often say "I used to love drama when I was little". These esperiences are now rare for children, with many schools not having any drama department or time in the syllabus for creative arts.
DAZZLE offers young children the chance to explore exciting and educational themes through various creative techniques in an 'Imagination Bubble'. During 'African Beat' the children made masks and choreographed a rain dance around a camp fire, in 'A Trip to Antarctica' the children learnt about surviving in harsh arctic conditions, pulled sleighs and created an arctic scene in a box, and 'Knights & Princesses' saw the group learning how to stage fight in a battle, designing a sheild and choreographing a medieval dance.
After a successful Circus workshop & performance Sarah decided to put on DAZZLE's first theatre workshops. Mixing craft & theatre gives a lovely combination of individual time to focus and group activities. The result was very much their show from the program cover to the props and scenery!
One of the most unique and successful parts of DAZZLE is the regular activities given to the children in between the workshops.Before every session the child receives information about the forthcoming workshop with optional activities to do before, like writing a ghost story to read with the group around a cauldron, learning dance moves from a choreography DVD or writing a poem about life in Space! This gives the child a feeling of continuity and importance and gets them thinking about the subject in a creative and educational way. Time is always given to share their work with the group. "It is always moving and rewarding when a child proudly shows you their work. I think WOW I've made a difference!"
Over the last 2 years DAZZLE has held holiday theatre workshops such as 'THE DAZZLE SHOWSTOPPERS!' at The Market House in Minchinhampton, 'BABUSHKA' at The Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud, 'HIGH SCHOOL GROOVE' at Sapperton Village Hall and 'THE BUS STOP' at The Space in Stroud.
DAZZLE also arranges children's theatre trips, sculpture exhibitions, themed birthday parties, fundraising events and has assisted with choreography at local drama groups and schools.
