Part One: ENGAGING YOUTH (a tricky thing)

It is really quite a "tricky thing" trying to engage young people through schools and systems yet to be open to the delight of engagement. So far on the POWER UP project l have faxed, emailed and called (an called again and called again and faxed again and called again) over 30 schools across the Fairfield, Liverpool and Bankstown area. Seven of whom have booked in, three jumped on board right away and the other four took some courting. There are four more school's that l'm hanging on a response from. It is a tricky thing to connect and build and get your project onto the top of a teacher's in tray and not let it end up in the middle of "Harmony Week" posters, Theatre Company Education flyers and DET reminders. Come to think of it there are a few hurdles to jump(and skill is needed) to get to the "youth" who are the heart of the project.....

No.1 Finding the school's contact details

No.2 Choosing your approach (and then realising you may need to hit them all) i.e phone/ email/ fax... interestingly enough not all school's exist online as yet!!!

No.3 The school administration staff: "Who are you? Sorry you're going to have to speak up! Who? From where? Sorry l can't give you those teachers email addresses. I'm going to have to take a message, no one is picking up in the staff room. What was you're name again? Yes i'll make sure they get the message......"

It is kinda hard to believe the message is going to get through, is three days enough to wait before calling back. The gingery dance that occurs between when to call and how to and how to approach each different school can be a little nauseating at the best of times.

No.4 Finally the teacher you're after- Head of Drama, Head of Performing Arts, Head of Creative Arts, The Year 10 drama teacher, The Year 11 drama teacher, The English teacher ('cos they don't do drama at the school)...that is when you have the right person.....WOW YOU MADE IT THROUGH!!!!

well then- the next bit is easy

Book them in, turn up, run the workshop, inspire and delight young people, inspire and delight teachers, inspire and delight yourself, get the students direct contacts, keep a good connection with the teacher and get ready for PART TWO: theatre crafts training.

three weeks till l get to the easy bit aye carumba....