Camp Details
Camp Dates: 5th to 9th August 2024
Camp Times: 9am – 3pm (attendance for full five days required)
Camp Ages: Suitable for boys and girls aged 7-11
Camp Location: Hujjat Primary, Brookshill, Harrow, HA3 6RR
Showcase: Friday 9th August – all parents/carers and families will be invited to attend for a live showcase where students will perform inshAllah (time TBC)
Segregation Arrangements: See below
Academy Overview
Participants will be both inspired and challenged through ensemble creative processes to recognise and draw upon their multiple intelligences by engaging in a range of learning approaches including kinesthetic, interpersonal, aural, verbal, imaginal, spiritual, etc.
The fluidity and spontaneity of the creative processes of drama and theatre mean that the flow and structure of the academy will in no small part be shaped by the imaginations, creativity and character of the participants. As such, it would not be appropriate to overly structure the programme at the outset but instead to trust the process and respond creatively to all that the children bring to the story-scape – albeit with an overarching outline framework and plan.
“The ancient theatre clearly was, and theatre must always be, a religious action; and its action is very clear: it is that by which fragments are made whole…”
– The Late Peter Brook d. 2022 (in an interview with Parabola Magazine) considered by many to be the greatest British dramatist of the 20th century
Key Skills Gained:
The word “theatre” from the ancient Greek, meaning “The hall of God” (Peter Brook) presents an analogy of our place within Allah’s Divine theatre. This reflection will underpin the participants’ experience as they acquire and enhance multiple skills through their drama practice.
Good drama practice requires the character virtues of compassion, patience, resilience, trust, kindness, accountability, perseverance, self -control, humility. It encourages and aids imagination, creativity, confidence, focus, listening skills, problem solving, self- expression, language and vocabulary, observation, collaboration.
Participants will also receive basic skills in stage craft, vocabulary, spatial awareness and voice work as they learn the dynamics of creating a piece of theatre from a story. They will be supported in a safe space to find joy, friendship and celebrate the success of others.
Arrangements for Segregation:
Khayaal works in a faith and culturally sensitive way relative to the prevailing culture and ethos of its host partner communities. This means that when boys and girls aged 9+ work together, this is done in a way that does not involve physical touch and intimate closeness. For example, standing in a circle is an essential part of building a dramatic ensemble but we’d have boys forming one half of the circle and girls forming the other. Throughout sessions, we are careful to ensure that we maintain a high level of spiritual focus, probity and purposefulness that act as a safeguard against low energy and inappropriate behaviour.
Eleanor
Drama Tutor
With 25+ years of professional experience working in theatre-in-education and 20 years working to dramatically interpret Muslim literature from across the globe as an acclaimed storytelling theatre artist, Eleanor is a leader in her field. Prior to co-founding Khayaal,
Eleanor had a successful career in TV and film with numerous popular credits to her name. As Associate Director of Khayaal leading on education, training and talent development, she currently runs drama academies for Muslim children in Luton, SW London and Cambridge.
Luqman
Drama Tutor
Luqman initially trained for over a decade in the Islamic sciences and Muslim cultures, languages (Arabic, Persian and Urdu) and literature before co-founding Khayaal.
He has served as the director and chief conceptualist of the company since its inception in 1997 using his knowledge to anchor Khayaal in the philosophy and ethos of centuries old traditions of Muslim theatre and the dream of virtue discourse in Muslim storytelling pedagogy.
Maria Goldrin
Drama Tutor
Maria Goldrin is a theatremaker and a creative producer. She was born in Estonia and started her career there as well, working with both young and established artists across different mediums, such as facilitating workshops and producing short films and youth shows. Her biggest highlight was creating and delivering an outdoor performance that focused on the mental well-being of (high) school students. The project received positive feedback both from the public and from the Ministry of Education.
In 2019, Maria pursued her European Theatre Arts BA (Hons) education at Rose Bruford College, falling in love with devised theatre. During the pandemic, she had a chance to introduce this method to classically trained actors in Munich, which resulted in a re-imagined version of Foxfinder by Dawn King. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Maria earned an MA in Creative Producing at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to continue her creative career in the UK, focusing on ambitious and thought- provoking.