Description

If you have a passion for acting and amateur dramatics, then we have the perfect project for you in Romania! You will be leading acting workshops, coaching drama groups, and helping students prepare a production for local performances. In addition to this, you will be using drama techniques as a tool for improving students' English language skills. This gives you the opportunity to volunteer by sharing your knowledge with young artists while exploring theatrical practices abroad.

Volunteers work with secondary school drama groups founded both by Projects Abroad and other established drama groups. Drama volunteers also have the opportunity to teach English through drama at primary schools. Projects Abroad will provide you with materials to help translate your theatrical skills in the classroom and studio.

Our drama projects are based in the ancient city of Brasov, where there is a growing theatre community but a lack of theatre education. Drama volunteers are immersed in a variety of theatrical forums by helping secondary school students with directing, production and even the acting of English language plays that are put on throughout the year.

There is a great enthusiasm for English language theatre in Romania and it is an excellent way for children and young adults to improve their English language skills.

The project ranges from working in primary schools using games and songs to creative writing and conversational improvisation with older children. Volunteers can also get involved in drama workshops with university students or at our care placements. With various theatre festivals taking place throughout the year, volunteers are given the chance to coach amateur actors in script analysis, performance or direction.

You may also get the opportunity to work on an intercultural project with primary schools. You could teach children about your traditions and cultures through drama activities and in effect learn more about the Romanian culture through the school's performances.

This project was initially started by a small group of teaching volunteers in Brasov who recognized the benefits of using drama in the classroom to teach conversational English.

In addition to getting involved with the drama workshops and English classes, volunteers have the opportunity to meet and work with experienced English drama groups from Brasov and other cities in Romania. This may involve workshops, discussions, collaborative performances, presentations or even assisting with a current production. There is also potential to see performances by these groups and invite them to participate in our Projects Abroad Drama Show.

Once a month, volunteers have the chance to prepare, direct and perform children's plays for orphanages. The Projects Abroad Drama Group is their only chance of knowing and seeing what theatrical culture means.

In August 2008, Projects Abroad put on the first Drama Show. This is put together to showcase the results of the volunteers work while experiencing Drama in Romania. The event is popular and brings together Projects Abroad staff, collaborators, project supervisors, friends and host families. The show involves volunteers coaching the drama groups, helping them with the writing and performing of their own plays and even organizing the lights, sound systems, and stage sets.

Volunteers on this project work flexible hours due to the changing academic schedules of the students; some workshops and performances taking place during evenings and weekends. This is a fun and worthwhile placement. Bring energy, creativity and an open mind and you will learn vast amounts and your help will be greatly appreciated!

Highlights

The ancient city of Brasov has many sights and museums, and a full cultural program of theater, music and puppetry performances. The town center contains a wide range of restaurants within walking distance, and it's also easy to explore more of the city with frequent buses and trolleybuses.

It's only an hour from the town to Dracula's castle, or the medieval home of Vlad the Impaler. Indeed, there are plenty of attractions in Transylvania, but it's also easy for you to visit Bucharest, the Black Sea or the Danube Delta. Other volunteers have even explored Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ukraine after finishing their volunteer placements.

Qualifications

Without drama experience it is difficult for volunteers to work alone, so a drama background is helpful.

Languages

• English
• Romanian
• Russian

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992