DEJA DONNE
Theater im Pfalzbau/Festspiele Ludwigshafen
Waldschule Mannheim
SULO Region Süd-West Speyerdorf
Pupils: Lisa Becker, Svenja-Chiara Besir, Christina Blatz, Jessica Bota, Saskia Franz, Moet Hill, Monique Jäger, Lorna Lichtenfels, Olga Ruppel, Patricia Schenk, Selina Schmitt, Julia Uhl, Deborah Van Scoter, Michelle Vogelsgesang, Judith Wurster, Moritz Aichele, Patrick Haas-Gerstner, Christopher Hallmann, Fabian Raaijmakers, Maximilian Schork, Mirko Schuster, Yildiz Sinan, Marco Zauner
The workhop took place in a Kulturzentrum DasHaus Ludwigshafen from 16th till 20th October 2006 and involved 23 children. The second day of the workshop Theater im Pfalzbau organized a visit in SULO Region Süd-West in Speyerdorf. Children rehearsals on thestage of Theater im Pfalzbau were held on 2nd and 3rd of November, together with the company members. „My Name is King“ performances were presented in Theater im Pfalzbau on 3rd, 4th and 5th November 2006 as a part of as a part of Festspiele Ludwigshafen.
On 17.10.06 children participate at press konference for the opening of the festival in the foyer of the Theater im Pfalzbau. After the openning night a reception was organised for company members, theatre team, children and their parents.
Journalists who wrote on performances/workshop:
Markus Vögel (Mannheimer Morgen) workshop review
Sybille Dornseiff (Morgenmagazin) workshop review
Heike Marx (Rheinpfalz) workshop review
Leonore Welzin (Tanzjournal) review
Theo Schneider (SWR 2)
Heike Marx (Rheinpfalz) review
Monika Lanzendörfer (Mannheimer Morgen) rewiew
Kurt Claus (Schifferstädter Tagblatt) review
Since February 2004 Hansgünther Heyme has been in charge of the Theater im Pfalzbau. He brings fresh input into the Ludwigshafen Theater through the foundation of the Festspiele Ludwigshafen and through his own theatre productions. Apart from the festival, in the last years two choreography contests were organized as well as two festival weeks focusing on Turkey and theater for children and adolescents. Also worth mentioning are the theatre’s youth projects: three playgroups - the children’s play theatre, the media school of the theatre and the youth club Critical Theatre - are tutoring adolescents who are interested in theatre.
The Waldschule Mannheim is a combined school; it comprises a “Haupt” and “Realschule” with about 750 pupils.
The school is situated in a suburb of Mannheim, with a population which consists mainly of workers and smaller employees. Bound to the development of the school and the “Schul-Curriculum” we initiate three project weeks a year, where pupils work comprehensively at different subjects and topics. There were for example projects in music, foreign languages, theatre history or fashion, nature and so on… The school tries to organise as many projects as possible. They put much effort in weeks where lessons are held differently and talk about one special subject. Teachers also try and prepare the pupils for a future working life.
SULO provides services covering the whole range of waste management needs, including container and process technology, recycling of raw materials and waste management. The primary goal of all divisions of the company is to ensure full recycling of materials, comprehensive solutions for customers and responsible treatment of the environment.The Environmental Technology division is engaged in the production of innovative containers, identification and weighing systems and custom-designed container management. The Environmental Services division is responsible for all services relating to waste disposal and waste management, including the marketing of recycled secondary raw materials. SULO GmbH achieves an annual turnover of approx. 1.2 billion Euros and employs more than 8,000 people. In Germany SULO operates from over 200 service locations and nearly 60 treatment and recycling plants. The company is active in more than ten European countries and in Singapore.
Das Ensemble DEJA DONNE war im Vorfeld der Produktion „My Name is King“ bereits in Ludwigshafen zu Gast, so dass die Teilnahme des Theaters im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen an diesem EU-Projekt keine Frage war. Die Einbindung von Kindern der Region durch einen einwöchigen Workshop im Vorfeld der Aufführungen erwies sich in Anbetracht der künstlerischen Ausrichtung des Theaters im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen als kooperationswürdig. Die Rückmeldung der Kinder und ihrer Lehrer war größtenteils positiv, die Probenphasen und die Aufführungen machten allen Beteiligten viel Freude. Der einwöchige Workshop diente dazu, die Kinder mit Theaterübungen langsam an die Inszenierung heranzuführen, bis die Klasse schließlich begann, spezielle Aufgaben und Rollen einzuüben. Es wurde stets darauf geachtet, dass die Kinder ihre Funktion im Kontext des Stückes verstanden. Die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Ensemble gestaltete sich unkompliziert und man merkte ihnen Spiel- und Lernfreude an.
The ensemble DEJA DONNE had already been guest to Ludwigshafen before the production of „My Name is King“, so it went without saying that the Theater im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen participated in this European project. The integration of children from the region, over a one week workshop was preparation for the performances, and turned out to be worthwhile when we consider the artistic orientation of the Theater im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen. The feedback of the children and their teachers was mainly positive, and the rehearsal periods and performances were a great pleasure for all those who were involved. The one week workshop served to slowly prepare the children for the performances, through theater exercises, until the
class finally began to train for special tasks and roles. Great care was taken so that the children understood
their roles in the context of the play. The collaboration with the ensemble was very rewarding, and one could realize the joy of playing and learning.
Report on collaboration from Rose Eckart, teacher:
From the 16th to the 20th of October The 6th level class from the “Waldschule Mannheim” took part at a theatre workshop in Ludwigshafen, where the children prepared the presentation of the dance-play “My name is King”.
At the Workshop the children were taught how to express different emotions by movement, mimic and voice.
Besides they produced parts of the scenery with garbage that they had brought along by themselves. The pupils really enjoyed the so called wolf-game, where they had to pass two wolves (played by Pietro and Andrea) sleeping. Altogether the children liked the workshop and were proud to take part at a real theatre show. The children understood that making theatre requires concentration and respect. I’m sure they will remember with strong emotions the time they spend together with you all.
Report on collaboration from the kids:
PATRICIA: I was so afraid I could do something wrong on stage. Being there, standing on stage alone, run in front of an audience, that was so exciting!
SVENIA: I’ve learned that I must be angry even if I’m not angry at all. It’s incredible how much work you need even for the smallest role. People think, why should I go to theatre when I can stay home watching TV or listening to the radio. Well, I think they should move a bit more!
MAXIMILIAN: You need to rehearse! It would be embarrassing to be on stage and forget your line!
MICHELLE: I’m proud to have given the audience a nice feeling they can carry home after watching the show.
CHRISTOPHER: It was very difficult for the performers. When we carried Andrea at the end of the show his face was completely sweated. It’s a special feeling to know that somewhere else, maybe in England, other kids are doing the same!