Welcome to Engross!
Special Plays for Special Schools
Engross Theatre Group has been set up predominantly to take specially-written curriculum-based plays into Special Schools in the Edinburgh and Lothians area. Pupils with learning disabilities can find it difficult to focus, absorb and retain educational information, but our research has proved that there is no better way for them to learn than by having live theatre performed right before their eyes!
But a trip to the theatre can be stressful for these children, due to the unfamiliar surroundings and occasional reactions from other people who may not understand their behaviour.
Taking theatre to the children means they are relaxed and in their own environment, making it the perfect atmosphere for them to enjoy the performance AND absorb the educational values of the play.
These plays are portable, and are therefore suitable for all sorts of spaces - from small classrooms for small audiences, to whole school productions!
The play is followed by a Question-and-Answer session, in which the children love to display their new-found knowledge. We also offer post-show participation which has proven to be great fun! This is always age- and ability-appropriate and is agreed through prior discussion with teachers. Once relationships are formed with pupils we would hope to return to the schools to offer theatre to develop their Personal, Social and Development skills.
Topics are client-led and developed through discussion with schools.
"Live theatre is an excellent teaching aid that direct teaching and videos cannot match." Pilrig Park Special School
Engross also offers guidance in how to tailor/structure a play to suit an audience with learning disabilities.