Luke is an experienced workshop leader, working with Key Stages One, Two, Three and Four, as well as adult groups.
Workshops range from 60 minutes to longer projects that take place over a number of weeks. Luke’s own work is based around themes such as identity and modern culture. Thematically, the workshop is usually led by the students, but Luke is happy to accommodate any relevant themes relating to syllabus or coursework.
Students are encouraged to look at metre, rhyme, form, story-telling techniques, imagery and metaphor. They are given simple writing exercises to help them come up with content. Workshops can incorporate performance time at the end of the session where the basics of stage performance are discussed. However, the focus is, as it should be, primarily on writing.
Luke has worked for agencies such as Apples & Snakes, Arvon and Creative Partnerships, and directly with hundreds of schools, from Eton College to Jurby Primary School on the Isle of Man. Excellent references are available on request.
“Luke Wright is everything a visiting writer should be. He smashes down students’ preconceptions about poetry as boring or irrelevant with a performance that is both thought provoking and very funny.” Jonathan Newton, Eton College
Luke currently offers two standard packages, but is willing to tailor his visit to your school to suit your needs:
Full Day
* Performance plus Q&A – ideally to whole year group(in hall or library or theatre space) (45-50 mins or 1 school lesson)* Workshop with group of around 20 students (2 hours or 2 school lessons)
* Repeat of workshop to another group of 20 students (2 hours or 2 school lessons)
Half Day
* Performance plus Q&A – ideally to whole year group(in hall or library or theatre space) (45-50 mins or 1 school lesson)* Workshop with group of around 20 students (2 hours or 2 school lessons)
Notes
* The performance is for Year 10 upwards. If you would like Luke to work with a younger age range then we will offer just the two workshops, which can be made longer if you like. He will build a smaller performance element into the workshop time.
* Students at the workshop should have seen Luke’s performance in the morning.
* Ideally students would volunteer for the workshop.
Performance
Luke’s poetry is funny, accessible, a little bit rude and written using traditional forms. It’s guaranteed to crack the stony façade of even the most po-faced teenager.
Workshop
You can select who you like for the workshops, Luke is happy working with gifted and talented as well as students who struggle with English. These are creative writing workshops but they deal with ideas that will further develop students’ understanding of poetry for their GCSE/A Level work. We will look at metaphor, rhyme, metre, assonance, alliteration, editing/redrafting.
Four core writing exercises:
* Free write session to warm up.
* Class game called Alchemy which covers the basics of metaphor.
* Study two poems: One almost entirely alliterative, the other a uni-vocalism (a poem that uses only one type of vowel). Students will then mimic these styles.
* Examine a John Cooper Clarke poem that uses a lot of rhyme and metre that students can take the structure of to write their own piece.
The workshop ends with everyone reading out one piece of work, this is done in an informal way.
If you would like your students to focus more on performance then Luke is happy to work with one group all day and work up towards a big performance.
They will leave the workshop with: At least one piece of finished work, greater confidence in speaking in front of groups, greater confidence with poetry, a new perspective on poetry, a grasp of poetic techniques
Luke is available for school’s booking throughout the UK and worldwide.
For further information contact Christian Knowles | Tel 020 8693 1800 / 07970 152865 | christian@ckproductions.co.uk
