Smashing Times Theatre Company Ltd, in partnership with the Mid-Ulster Women’s Network and The National University of Ireland/University College Dublin, have established two new accredited training programmes:

Certificate in Community Drama
This course provides an introduction to drama and theatre skills and to the theory and practise of community drama.

Diploma in Drama Facilitation Skills
This course provides training and a recognized qualification for professional artists who wish to work as drama facilitators in a local context (teachers of drama within a community arts context). This is the first ever course in Ireland to provide accredited training at university level for drama facilitation within a community context.

Both courses are accredited through University College Dublin and aim to develop the use of drama and theatre to address conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation and to support the ongoing development and sustainability of participatory theatre practise. Smashing Times Theatre Compamy has a long history of using drama and theatre to promote peace building through the arts and of working with, and linking groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The training is funded by the Cross-Border Consortium under the EU Peace 11 Programme as part-financed by the UK and Irish Governments.

The project is delivered by Smashing Times in partnership with the Mid-Ulster Women’s Network, an organisation that provides local women in the Mid-Ulster area with a strong voice, with real opportunities for personal development and training, and with education and leisure pursuits.

The training is delivered by specialists from Smashing Times Theatre Company plus invited guest speakers and tutors.

Certificate in Community Drama

The Certificate in Community Drama is a one-year part-time study programme designed by Mary Moynihan and Paul Kennedy of Smashing Times Theatre Co Ltd with advice from a panel of advisors.

Content:
The programme provides an introduction to drama and theatre skills and to the theory and practise of community drama. Participants explore equality awareness, conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation and how these processes can be supported by community drama.

Teaching Methods:
A combination of lectures, tutorials, practical drama workshops, discussion and analysis.

Overall Aims:
• To support the on-going development and sustainability of community drama groups.
• To develop the use of drama to address issues such as conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation.

Objectives: This course provides participants with the opportunity to obtain a recognised qualification in community drama. Participants gain new skills to support and develop community drama and an insight into ways in which drama and theatre can be used to promote conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation.

Entry to the Certificate in Community Drama is based on the candidate’s proven interest in community drama and theatre and in community development. There are no formal entry requirements.

Diploma in Drama Facilitation Skills

The Diploma in Drama Facilitation Skills is a one-year part-time study programme designed by Mary Moynihan and Paul Kennedy of Smashing Times Theatre Company Ltd with advice from a panel of advisors.

Content:
This training programme will prepare participants to become drama facilitators (teachers of drama within a local arts context) and will encourage access to employment in the area of drama facilitation. Participants will learn how to promote peace building, conflict resolution and cultural diversity through the medium of drama and theatre. Teaching Methods: A combination of lectures, tutorials, practical drama workshops, discussion, analysis and practical work experience.

Overall aims:
• To provide professional training for people who want to work as a drama facilitator (teacher) within a local setting.
• To provide training on how to use drama and theatre to promote peace building and reconciliation within a community context
• To facilitate ways for valuable skills learnt to be brought back into the local community.
• To raise standards within participatory theatre provision by enabling participants to bring a high level of professionalism and quality standards into the community.
• To provide a gateway for those to wish to access further training/employment in drama facilitation.

Objectives:
This course provides participants with the opportunity to obtain a recognised qualification in drama facilitation skills. Participants will be trained as professional drama facilitators and will be able to teach drama within local contexts and be knowledgeable in using drama and theatre to promote conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation.

Entry is based on the candidate’s relevant qualifications and /or experience and through interview.

Please note that we will not be running these courses in 2018