MDEA MTS PD Day - The Power of Storytelling: Empowering Voices Through Drama

Event is FULL - Currently not accepting registrations

FULL - Virtual Event

This event is hosted by MDEA, managed by Allison Hartley (MDEA Exec). When people register, they will be on one call the entire day. We will be sharing a Zoom link with them specifically via the email they registered with prior to the event.

09:00 am - 09:15 am - Welcoming Remarks
09:15 am - 10:15 am - Keynote: Inclusivity and the Disabled Experience with Playwright
10:15 am - 10:30 am - Break
10:30 am - 11:30 am - Playwriting with Hannah Fougler
11:30 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm - Reimagining Creative Writing Assessment
02:00 pm - 02:15 pm - Break
02:15 pm - 03:15 pm - Divesting DISability from INability: Adapting for Mobility in Storytelling

- Session Descriptions -

Keynote: Inclusivity and the Disabled Experience with Playwright - Hannah Foulger

Join us for a journey into inclusivity in theatre. Acclaimed disabled theatre artist and writer, Hannah Fougler will discuss barriers to access and how we can rethink the theatre experience to be more inclusive and respectful to the disabled experience. She will highlight the impact of the creative writing experience and focus on the importance of diverse voices in theatre.
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V1: Inclusive, Accessible Playwrighting - Hannah Fougler
Level: Middle Years, Senior Years

In this workshop, we will look at ways to create writing experiences for your students that are inclusive and respectful of the disabled experience. We will explore ways to encourage young writers to think about the diversity around them and how to authentically represent their voice. We will also discuss the importance of inclusive practices in the staging of productions.

Specific questions for Hannah can be posed in advance - please email them directly to allison.hartley@sjasd.ca

Hannah Foulger is a disabled theatre artist and writer. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and a BA in English and Theatre from the University of Winnipeg. Her writing has appeared in Prairie Fire, Geez Magazine, Matrix and Rebel Mountain Press' Disabled Voices anthology. Her plays and theatre experiments have been performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, the Carol Shields Festival and Sick + Twisted Theatre's Lame Is... cabaret. She also works with theatre companies, publishers and writers to establish inclusive style guides and stories which are inclusive and respectful of the disabled experience.
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V2: Collaborative, Inclusive Assessment Practices in Creative Writing - Matthew McCorquodale-Bauer and Allison Hartley
Level: Early Years, Middle Years, Senior Years

Struggling to evaluate students' original work and creative writing? When rubrics can't cover all the unique things students come up with, giving constructive feedback becomes challenging. Let's rethink assessment in creative writing! Drawing inspiration from Felicia Rose Chaves' Anti-Racist Writing Workshop (2020), we'll explore creating guided self-assessment and a process for safe and inclusive feedback. This adaptable process is suitable for all grade levels and aims to provide you with a practical tool for immediate use in your classroom.

Matthew McCorquodale-Bauer is a high school humanities educator, teaching at InformNet, Manitoba’s Online High School, for over 3 years and currently teaching at Jameswood Alternative School. He is writing a thesis on the media's representation of the Parental Rights Movement, focusing on how the movement’s rhetoric individualizes education and marginalizes non-hegemonic identities. Matthew's pedagogical practices are rooted in critical pedagogy and poststructural frameworks, advocating for student autonomy in his teaching.

Allison Hartley (she/her) is a full-time online high school teacher with InformNet with a focus on ELA and the Arts. In her rich tapestry (iykyk) of experience, she has taught all levels from kindergarten to grade twelve. She is also an active member of the MDEA board. Her unique position online has created an opportunity to look for alternative practices to engage learners in meaningful writing and authentic assessment practices.
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V3: Divesting DISability from INability: Adapting for Mobility in Storytelling - Myles A. Taylor and Connor Hopper
Level: Middle Years, Senior Years

Join professional actor and filmmaker Myles A. Taylor, along with teacher sidekick Connor Hopper, as they retread the journey of Myles’ development as a performer and artistic creator living with cerebral palsy. By the end of this session, it is the goal that teachers and teacher candidates in attendance can Equip, Engage, and Empower their students and classrooms for more accessible and conscientious education through a storytelling lens. This interactive workshop will provide research-based and experience-informed tips and tactics for adaptation for students of various mobility needs in performing arts contexts.

Myles A. Taylor made his stage acting debut in 2017 for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s production of Kill Me Now. After graduating from the U Of W with his B.A. in Film & Theatre in 2018, Myles would parlay those skills into working as a freelance filmmaker, editor, and post-production specialist. Myles is also an animator, podcaster, and most recently game designer. His most recent works include co-creating and co-executive producing and performing in the accessible stand-up comedy show Devil May Chuckle in association with venue Devil May Care Brewing Co. Additionally, he co-hosted the Disability & Theatre Arts Podcast Disability Stage Right.

Connor Hopper is an English, Drama, French, and Humanities teacher at Rosenort School. He combines elements of storytelling, roleplay, student-led inquiry and teaching for social justice in each of his courses in ways that enhance engagement and promote inclusive environments for learning. When not in the classroom, Connor is an active director and actor in Winnipeg’s community theatre scene; most notably he is a board member for Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre. If he’s not up to his neck in a self-induced ocean of volunteer opportunities, he can be found fixing go-karts, reviewing weird flavours of potato chips, finishing his graduate studies at U of M, or play-fighting with his cat Samwise…likely in that order.

FULL - Keynote - Indigenous Pedagogies in Storytelling

Join us for an engaging presentation led by Nova Courchene, the esteemed Co-Director of Native Youth Theatre (NYT) and an esteemed Outreach Drama Educator. Nova will immerse attendees in a journey through her innovative approaches to drama education, showcasing a diverse array of videos, photos, and tangible examples of her impactful work from recent years.

Throughout the session, Nova will demonstrate her unique methodology, which revolves around the profound concept of embodying Indigenous Traditional knowledge through stories. Through interactive demonstrations and insightful discussions, she will unveil the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for personal and collective expression.

Nova will delve into her collaborative process of empowering students to become creators of their own narratives. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into techniques for nurturing creativity and fostering an environment where every individual can unearth their storytelling potential.

Past youth participants will perform a short piece related to Legends or Teachings. Join us as we explore the intersection of creativity, empowerment, and Indigenous cultural storytelling.

Presenter: Nova Courchene, Native Youth Theatre

Time: 9:15 am - 10:30 am

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

FULL - Annual General Meeting

FULL - A1 - Indigenous Pedagogies in Storytelling

Nova and her team will exemplify these dynamic approaches through classroom lessons developed for NYT Outreach, demonstrating how Indigenous storytelling can inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and cultural connection among students.

Legends: Indigenous narratives serve as powerful tools for imparting cultural wisdom and values to children, with their lessons often embedded within layers of meaning. Children are encouraged to actively engage with the stories, whether through inquiry, dramatization,
or retelling segments themselves.

Teachings: Indigenous teachings vary across nations and dialects. Due to the decimation of cultural and traditional ways, many teachings have been shared across Turtle Island. The most well known example is the 7 Sacred Teachings, which has been adapted by many Indigenous groups. While Legends offer insights into cultural values Indigenous teachings can be about passing on natural law that upholds a balance between relations, or relations and the land.

Debaajimowin & Acimowin: Indigenous storytelling thrives on the foundation of Indigenous languages, and by integrating language lessons with drama improvisation games, we forge intricate links between culture, language, and theatre. In our presentation, we’ll demonstrate several games that seamlessly weave introductory Anishinaabemowin into three drama exercises, each involving improvisation and warm-up activities.

Presenter: Nova Courchene & NYT Teachers Assistants

Nova Courchene, an Anishinaabekwe deeply committed to theatre, co-directs Native Youth Theatre, striving to make theatre accessible to Indigenous youth. She’s an Anishinaabemowin Language Learner and engages in various creative roles. Engaged in Manitoba Theatre for Young People & Theatre School Outreach Program, Nova conducts theatre workshops in rural schools, weaving Indigenous storytelling and traditional wisdom into each session. Through collaboration with Indigenous groups, she ensures that each workshop culminates in a performance, empowering young participants to share their stories. As part of her creative repertoire, she has authored plays like “Waawaashkeshiwag Wabano” and contributed to projects for Boca Del Lupo, APTN’s Michif Country, Green Kids Inc., and Echo Theatre.

Suitable for: Early Years (Grades 2-4), Middle Years, Senior Years

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 20

FULL - B1 - Divesting DISability from INability: Adapting for Mobility in Storytelling

Join professional actor and filmmaker Myles A. Taylor, along with teacher sidekick Connor Hopper, as they retread the journey of Myles’ development as a performer and artistic creator living with cerebral palsy. By the end of this session, it is the goal that teachers and teacher candidates in attendance can Equip, Engage, and Empower their students and classrooms for more accessible and conscientious education through a storytelling lens. This interactive workshop will provide research-based and experience-informed tips and tactics for adaptation for students of various mobility needs in performing arts contexts.

Presenters: Myles A. Taylor and Connor Hopper

Myles A. Taylor made his stage acting debut in 2017 for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s production of Kill Me Now. After graduating from the U Of W with his B.A. in Film & Theatre in 2018, Myles would parlay those skills into working as a freelance filmmaker, editor, and post-production specialist. Myles is also an animator, podcaster, and most recently game designer. His most recent works include co-creating and co-executive producing and performing in the accessible stand-up comedy show Devil May Chuckle in association with venue Devil May Care Brewing Co. Additionally, he co-hosted the Disability & Theatre Arts Podcast Disability Stage Right.

Connor Hopper is an English, Drama, French, and Humanities teacher at Rosenort School. He combines elements of storytelling, roleplay, student-led inquiry and teaching for social justice in each of his courses in ways that enhance engagement and promote inclusive environments for learning. When not in the classroom, Connor is an active director and actor in Winnipeg’s community theatre scene; most notably he is a board member for Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre. If he’s not up to his neck in a self-induced ocean of volunteer opportunities, he can be found fixing go-karts, reviewing weird flavours of potato chips, finishing his graduate studies at U of M, or play-fighting with his cat Samwise…likely in that order.

Suitable For: Middle Years, Senior Years

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 25

FULL - C1 - Student-Driven Stories (From the Heart)

Meraki Theatre is a student-driven theatre company in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB) with a studio located in Osborne Village. Every year, we host a free Mental Health Arts Week (called Stronger Together) that combines arts practices with mental health strategies over the course of 7 days. This workshop will explore connections between mental health and theatre and ways in which art can strengthen students’ well being. We will uncover ways in which we can incorporate students' voices into the writing and creation process, and explore ways in which we can share students' experiences and stories in our work to amplify their voices.

Presenter: Taylor Gregory

Taylor Gregory (she/her), created Meraki Theatre in January of 2018. Meraki Theatre was born after Taylor had the opportunity to teach IB Theatre at ACS Athens International School in Greece and the word "meraki" is a Greek word which means to put love, creativity and your soul into what you do. Taylor directed our production of “The Laramie Project” (May, 2018), co-directed our 2019 production and Manitoba premiere of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” and co-wrote and co-produced “Quest” which was performed for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival (Kids Fringe) and then toured across dozens of Winnipeg schools for a Fall School Tour. She was born in Winnipeg (Treaty 1 Territory) and has been studying theatre formally and informally for over fifteen years. She graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and she loves sharing her passion for theatre and her love of learning with her students. In recent years, Taylor had the opportunity to perform in Théâtre Cercle Molière’s french children’s theatre production of Expressions Vives which toured across Manitoba and she was selected by ATFC in 2021 to take part in a French playwriting practicum at the Banff Centre for Arts in collaboration with National Theatre School. Taylor has also worked with many other organisations including Rainbow Stage (as their Education Developer), MTYP, and Théâtre Cercle Molière.

Suitable for: Middle Years, Senior Years (can be adapted and applied for Early Years)

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 25

FULL - D1 - The Use of Body Movement and Voice in Drama Games for Storytelling and Problem-Solving

Integrating students’ body movement and voice could help students feel free to express their feelings, opinions and problems.

In the first session, we tell stories together based on themes like imaginary travel together. We need to use our bodies and voices to perform them. We imagine we are just like 4-7 year old students. We all participate in this dramatic activity with our voices and different movements of our bodies, until we encounter imaginary problems. Now, the time comes to solve the problem and have a conversation about that. We separate into small groups to rehearse our solutions and demonstrate the solution to the rest of the class. It is a two for one - our inner child enjoys dramatic activities, and our inner teacher is experiencing and learning participatory and dramatic storytelling.

The way of storytelling and narration in Pardkhani or Naqqali model which is an exaggerated Iranian storytelling of Iran’s epic, always has motivated Shohreh to emphasize using body and voice for storytelling in drama classes. The use of poetry and singing of the narrator’s body plays a prominent role in this model.

Presenter: Shohreh Saeedibagha

Shohreh graduated from Fine Arts Tehran University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Acting and Directing in Theater. Besides acting, she started working in Iranian schools as a Drama teacher as an undergrad student in 2011. She is currently a PhD student in the Education program at the University of Manitoba. Her focus in her doctoral journey is drama in education. During her 10 years of teaching experience in Iran, she taught from kindergarten to undergraduate university. Recently in her second year of doctoral studies, she taught a course which was Drama in Education for the senior level as a seasonal instructor at the University of Manitoba. After teaching in a 2023 spring camp for 5 to 6-year-olds in Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP), currently she is working there as a Drama teacher for 6 to 7-year-olds.

Suitable for: Early Years

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 25

FULL - A2 - Indigenous Pedagogies in Storytelling

Nova and her team will exemplify these dynamic approaches through classroom lessons developed for NYT Outreach, demonstrating how Indigenous storytelling can inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and cultural connection among students.

Legends: Indigenous narratives serve as powerful tools for imparting cultural wisdom and values to children, with their lessons often embedded within layers of meaning. Children are encouraged to actively engage with the stories, whether through inquiry, dramatization, or retelling segments themselves.

Teachings: Indigenous teachings vary across nations and dialects. Due to the decimation of cultural and traditional ways, many teachings have been shared across Turtle Island. The most well known example is the 7 Sacred Teachings, which has been adapted by many Indigenous groups. While Legends offer insights into cultural values Indigenous teachings can be about passing on natural law that upholds a balance between relations, or relations and the land.

Debaajimowin & Acimowin: Indigenous storytelling thrives on the foundation of Indigenous languages, and by integrating language lessons with drama improvisation games, we forge intricate links between culture, language, and theatre. In our presentation, we’ll demonstrate several games that seamlessly weave introductory Anishinaabemowin into three drama exercises, each involving improvisation and warm-up activities.

Presenter: Nova Courchene & NYT Teachers Assistants

Nova Courchene, an Anishinaabekwe deeply committed to theatre, co-directs Native Youth Theatre, striving to make theatre accessible to Indigenous youth. She’s an Anishinaabemowin Language Learner and engages in various creative roles. Engaged in Manitoba Theatre for Young People & Theatre School Outreach Program, Nova conducts theatre workshops in rural schools, weaving Indigenous storytelling and traditional wisdom into each session. Through collaboration with Indigenous groups, she ensures that each workshop culminates in a performance, empowering young participants to share their stories. As part of her creative repertoire, she has authored plays like “Waawaashkeshiwag Wabano” and contributed to projects for Boca Del Lupo, APTN’s Michif Country, Green Kids Inc., and Echo Theatre.

Suitable for: Early Years (Grades 2-4), Middle Years, Senior Years

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 20

FULL - B2 - The Use of Voice and Body: Playback & Forum Theatre Techniques to Express Emotions and Problems

During this workshop we will use improvisation techniques available in two theatre forms including Forum theatre and Playback theatre. These techniques and forms create a suitable and safe space for expressing the teenagers’ emotions, problems, and concerns. In other words, with these techniques, we might be able to provide a suitable environment for teenagers to tell their stories. Again, it is two for one, we express our own thoughts, emotions and concerns and at the same time as teachers, we experience and learn this participatory and dramatic way of storytelling.

Presenter: Shohreh Saeedibagha

Shohreh graduated from Fine Arts Tehran University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Acting and Directing in Theater. Besides acting, she started working in Iranian schools as a Drama teacher as an undergrad student in 2011. She is currently a PhD student in the Education program at the University of Manitoba. Her focus in her doctoral journey is drama in education. During her 10 years of teaching experience in Iran, she taught from kindergarten to undergraduate university. Recently in her second year of doctoral studies, she taught a course which was Drama in Education for the senior level as a seasonal instructor at the University of Manitoba. After teaching in a 2023 spring camp for 5 to 6-year-olds in Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP), currently she is working there as a Drama teacher for 6 to 7-year-olds.

Suitable for: Senior Years

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 25

FULL - C2 - STEAM, Storybooks, and Play!

This workshop is designed for K-6 teachers to get hands-on opportunities to intentionally plan for playful learning experiences, using storybooks as provocations, open-ended exploration of materials, and the Manitoba curriculum. In this interactive session, we will design, create, and collaborate, discovering innovative ways to integrate interdisciplinary approaches into your classroom that encourage critical and creative thinking. Robots, cardboard, clay, LEGO and more will be available. Storybooks are an endless source of inspiration for making and tinkering, providing opportunities for student expression, passions, curiosity, community, and world-building. Play-based learning is good for all of us. Incorporating storytelling to enhance learning experiences for your students will reveal new ways of looking at and connecting to curriculum, performance, and the fostering of global competencies. Get ready to unleash your creativity!

Presenter: Adam Charbonneau

Adam Charbonneau is a filmmaker, actor, musician, and educator with a lifelong passion for collaboration and storytelling. He is currently a STEAM Support Teacher in the Winnipeg School Division and will move into the K-12 Arts & Music Support Teacher role in September 2024. He spent over 10 years in the classroom, teaching Grade 7-9 Drama, Grade 7 ELA, Musical Theatre Production, Design, and K-6 Visual Arts, Dance, Music, and Drama. Adam received his Honours in Theatre Performance from the University of Winnipeg in 2009. He is the former president of MDEA and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Theatre Projects Manitoba. As a support teacher, Adam has worked with students, families, teachers, and principals to bring a vision for interdisciplinary teaching and learning into their schools and communities. Adam has developed and facilitated STEAM and play-based programming such as the Winnipeg School Division’s Young Designers program and has been the Regional Director for Destination Imagination Manitoba since 2019.

Suitable for: Early Years

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 30

FULL - D2 - Off the Top of Your Head - Storytelling Using Improv

One of the most difficult parts of storytelling is simply getting started. What if you don't have the "right" idea? How do you get rid of that creative block and get moving? Engaging in improvisation encourages us to forget about perfection, to stop spinning our gears, and to be in the present moment where the most brilliant ideas can be born. This workshop is for educators with any level of improv experience who have a desire to explore thinking off the top of their heads, creating memorable stories, and becoming bold characters.

Presenter: Hope Figueroa

Hope Figueroa (she/her) serves on the board of Manitoba Drama Educators' Association as Vice-President. She has taught Drama to Middle and Senior Years students in Winnipeg School Division. Hope has also worked as a contract Adult Improv instructor at the Winnipeg Theatre School and is a proud Canadian Improv Games alumna and coach. She draws from her 13+ years of performance experience as a local actor and improviser (Crosseyed Rascals, After Hours) to orchestrate performance opportunities for students. Hope enjoys seeing students grow as young actors through process and reflective-based drama education.

Suitable for: Middle Years, Senior Years

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm

Location: St John's Ravenscourt, 400 South Dr, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 25