ISTA Festival 2014 at the
Bavarian International School
in Munich
This year, 17 of our pupils from Years 5
to 8 took part in an ‘International Schools
Theatre Association Festival’ at the Bavarian
International School in Munich, Germany.
The students had an opportunity to work
with some very talented artists including
Stephen Finegold, an actor who once
played Gerald Thompson in a series of the
‘Hustle’ for the BBC in the UK. The Festival
theme was based on the story of ‘The Snow
Queen’.
Sophie Smith from 7JH turned 12 during the trip
so we celebrated with an enormous chocolate
cake in our favourite restaurant of the trip close
to our hotel.
Our students gained so much from this trip
in terms of confidence and performing skills.
They worked with 103 students from different
international schools, stayed with host families,
worked with international artists and managed
to put on a fantastic show at the end. Here is an
edited video showing some of the highlights from
the final performance. I hope you enjoy watching
it.
As well as working on their own ensemble
devised versions of the ‘Snow Queen’,
the students had a chance to take part
in workshops of their own choosing. The
workshops included:
• Devising and storytelling
• Improvising stories
• From History to story
• Leave yourself at the door
• Crash! Bang! Wallop! (Stage combat)
If that wasn’t enough, our pupils had
the chance to visit the Schloss (Palace)
Nymphenburg, a historical home to local
noblemen and royalty. The Festival’s
inspiration was drawn from this beautiful
picturesque site. Our students worked in
different locations around the Schloss to
develop their ensemble performances.
There was also an opportunity to do some
site seeing and of course some shopping
around Munich which was thoroughly
enjoyed by all, especially playing in the left
over snow in the ‘Englischer Garten’ and
listening to the 100 year old Glockenspiel at
the City Hall in Marienplatz.
“I really enjoyed the ISTA trip because we did a variety of things and we also did a lot
of acting, which I really like doing. I also enjoyed staying with the host families and
meeting new people.” (Ellie Foster)
“I enjoyed the ISTA trip because I like acting and learning from my ensemble leader,
Emmy. I also liked meeting different people from all over the world.” (Emma Iacchini)
“I enjoyed watching the clock at H