Project info
Operator: Schule für freie Entfaltung Schloss Tempelhof e.V. (engl: School for free development)
State-approved, private primary and secondary school, founded in 2013
134 association members, 20 learning guides, 90 pupils
Contact: Simone Specht, Pedagogue and administrative employee
Location: Kreßberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Project: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Setting up the school theater group
Our funding:
Costs of € 4650 for this project (basic stage and technical equipment, personnel costs)
Funding period: September 2024 to February 2025
A theater group has formed at the Schule für freie Entfaltung to perform Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
The project enables an interdisciplinary approach to theater work, which includes acting training as well as areas such as set design, costume design and assistant directing. Musical contributions enrich the production, while reflection rounds and personal discussions accompany the creative process.
Musical contributions enrich the production, while reflection rounds and personal discussions accompany the creative process.
The project operator
The educational concept of the Schule für freie Entfaltung Schloss Tempelhof promotes self-determination and individual development. Pupils choose which topics they want to learn, where they want to work and which partners they want to work with.
They work in an inspiring environment that stimulates their curiosity, creativity and diverse abilities. In addition to traditional classrooms, they have access to workshops, gardens and other village facilities to enable practical, holistic and action-oriented learning. This environment supports personal development and prepares learners for future challenges.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Setting up the school theater group
In 2023, a young theater group was formed at the School for Free Development, which meets regularly and currently comprises 25 committed students between the ages of 10 and 18, including children with inclusion needs. For the 2024/25 school year, the group is planning to perform Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The play was chosen by the pupils themselves.
The project aims to provide young people with an intensive, interdisciplinary approach to theater work. In addition to acting training and improvisation, craft, technical and creative areas such as set design, costume design and assistant directing are also part of the program. Musical contributions – such as piano, accordion and singing – further enrich the production. The entire process takes place in an open and collaborative environment in which the participants can take responsibility and develop their skills in various areas.
Theater work not only promotes creativity, imagination and the ability to express oneself, but also social skills such as teamwork, commitment and self-confidence. The focus is on playful experimentation, rhythmic exercises, voice training and the development of body awareness. Reflection sessions and personal discussions complement the artistic work.
The project is intended to lay the foundations for a sustainable theater culture at the school, with the aim of creating a firmly established group with annual performances. The entire project period runs from September 9, 2024 to January 31, 2025 with 4 performances from February 5 to 7, 2025.
Theater work and staging appeals to the whole being of man: Body, feeling and mind. Through playful experimentation (improvisation), the focus is always on individual creativity, creative power and imagination. .
Felix Bach, head of the theater group
Why we are committed to the project
We can see from the aims of the Schule für freie Entfaltung in particular how important it is for adults and adolescents to meet as equals. The participating children and young people are able to get involved in all areas according to their own interests and motivation, allowing them to experience and try things out for themselves.
Outlook
We are very happy to support this project and are delighted with the successful start of the theater group and the establishment of theater culture at the independent school.
