The stage at Monaco’s Théâtre des Muses has been handed over to a new generation of performers this summer, with children discovering that acting can teach far more than simply learning lines…
During week-long improvisation workshops, the young participants are challenged to create their own story, invent characters and ultimately perform the finished piece before an audience.
Guiding them through the process is actress Audrey La Rosa, who uses a series of playful exercises to encourage imagination, communication and self-confidence. Rather than working from an existing script, the children collaborate to build their production from the ground up.
For the budding actors, the experience offers an opportunity to become more comfortable expressing themselves and speaking in front of others, whilst also discovering the enjoyment of taking on a completely different character.
La Rosa sees theatre as something of a school for life. Creating a production requires children to listen to one another, contribute ideas and understand that every member of the group has a role to play.
Those skills, she says, extend well beyond the stage into both personal and eventually professional life.
After a busy week of writing, improvising and rehearsing, just one challenge remains: facing the audience and putting on the show.
Image: Monaco Info