Every Wednesday Michael runs drama workshops for the over 55’s at Millman Street.  He shares with us what happens in a typical class and – how to play the ‘5 things’ game!   

“I have been an actor and teacher for over 30 years and have been coming to Millman Street to run the Drama classes coming up to 5 years.  

At the start of the class, we do both physical and mental warm-up exercises and games moving onto improvision sometimes and then script work. The drama session can’t help but be very social – you need teamwork to make the activities happen and everyone supports each other.  

One of the exercises is called ‘5 things’, I choose a person and they have to name 5 things on the spot – often the group will jump in to help each other find the right words.  We do a lot of memory exercises as well and the group has different levels of memory.   

When we do improv work it explores your creative side and it makes you think a little bit – you have to choose what to say and it needs to be being cohesive.  

I believe listening is actually one of the most important things you do in drama.  Lots of people hear in life but you don’t necessarily listen, it’s a good skill to practise.  

Working with a script also requires listening to what comes before and after your lines. I often chose a scene from a famous play – a comedy goes down well.  

It would be interesting in the future to explore the different life experiences of participants in a drama session. You could work around a scenario and improvise it. There sure are some stories to tell.”

Drama with Michael for the over 55’s runs every Wednesday from 10.45 AM – 12.00 PM