Peter Slattery

The following details some presentation formats which stimulate thought, invite participation and discussion, while still allowing time for reflection. They have proven extremely effective processes for dealing with complex ideas. They are interactive and can be as serious and probing, or as playful and fun-filled, as the situation demands…or equally all of these things!

A Story Unfolds

This very active and dynamic process of interactive story telling needs a number of key ingredients:

• An audience.
• A panel.
• Some actors.
• A presenter who can tell a story, get an audience involved, and ask interesting questions.

‘A story unfolds’ is a combination of story-telling, often with unexpected twists and turns, interactive theatre, bantering conversation, and respectful playfulness. As the story develops both the panel and audience are able to make comments and at times are able to ask questions of the ‘actors’. Also at times, audience members have a chance to join the actors on stage to explore, through spontaneous theatre, the ideas and situations which are being raised. Throughout the event, the presenter responds to what is being raised and asks further questions of all involved. Such an event needs a little planning to make sure that the story is relevant and interesting, but the actual rehearsal time may be as little as 1 ½ hours

The following details some presentation formats which stimulate thought, invite participation and discussion, while still allowing time for reflection. They have proven extremely effective processes for dealing with complex ideas. They are interactive and can be as serious and probing, or as playful and fun-filled, as the situation demands…or equally all of these things!

From Peter

‘I have used this approach to look at such issues as culture and racism, family conflict, violence against women, rural unemployment, young people and debt, mentoring, problems facing teachers, young people and parents, and intergenerational relationships…to name a few! ‘A story unfolds’ can be a lot of fun, very interactive and a provocative way to explore some really serious topics.’

Forum Theatre

 “Humans are capable of seeing themselves in the act of seeing, of thinking their emotions, of being moved by their thoughts. They can see themselves here and imagine themselves there; they can see themselves today and imagine themselves tomorrow.” (page xxvi) “This is theatre – the art of looking at ourselves.” (page xxx)

Forum theatre as developed by Augusto Boal is an interactive form of theatre for the purpose of problem-solving. A short scene (or scenes) based on some issue which affects both actors and audience is acted out. Audience members after being ‘warmed up’ to the idea of theatre through simple activities, are invited to call ’stop’ at any point when they feel they have an idea they would like to try out. They then replace one of the actors on stage and try the intervention. If something is working out but seems unrealistic, audience members can call ‘magic’ and offer an alternative intervention. At any time the theatre is stopped it can be ‘rewound’ to any point where the audience member feels the intervention should take place. The Forum is facilitated by a ‘Director’.

Key Note Addresses

Key note addresses can be pretty dry at times… but there are ways of making them interesting with use of video and imagery and storytelling. They can also be interactive: by simply asking questions…’how many people here have ever been angry? Sad? Confused?’. ‘Who would be prepared to take a risk to save a friend?’ By introspective activities: ‘Think for a moment as to what you value most in an intimate relationship…now think of someone you are very close to…if you were to ask them…what would they say? Is this the same or different from you?’ By inviting people to become physically involved…for instance by stepping onto the stage to: strike a pose to express an emotion…to be interviewed about the conference theme, or to comment on some aspect of the conference. The possibilities are endless!

Ring or email Peter for a chat if you would like to discuss the endless ways in which conferences and forums can be devised.

Bang bang tinkle crash. Percussion for all!

Although I have been a percussionist since I was a teenager, I have been quiet about advertising this side of my work as I have kept the music mostly for playing with other musicians. Which kind of makes sense! But for those who have known about this aspect we have had some mighty events in residentials or team building events or conference evenings, enjoying a bunch of different rhythmic adventures. So I thought I would let more people know about this as one possibility for the best, best fun! Bang crash bam boom … for any number of people in pretty much any situation.