Adult Paper Workshops
University of Tehran Workshops
In December 2017, I was invited for the third time, to conduct workshops at the Youth Theatre Festival in Hamedan (Western Iran), followed by workshops at the University of Tehran. After the workshops, I was presented with a special award by Tehran University for my work.
The predominant purpose of the workshops is to use puppetry to challenge inhibition, and establish a 'safe' environment for opening communication and unleashing untapped innovative potential.
The objectives are to use movement, guided visualisation and sensory activation to de-stress the participants, and activate their senses to heighten their creative potential. Improvisation exercises further develop their risk taking capabilities and spontaneous decision making skills as well as enhancing trust and confidence within the group. Performance using the medium of brown paper and every-day objects provides the opportunity to explore all modes of communication, demanding teamwork of a very profound and intense nature. Story-telling enhances group empathy and opens up a level of frank connection, which is unique and liberating in academic and business circles.
“I want to create the opportunity to let Gary & Sharon share with you in the spirit of opening horizons, looking at problems in a new light and coming up with new solutions.” Provost of Innovation, NTU Singapore, Jeffrey Nadison
Approach
Humour and laughter are the keys to opening up people and reaching them emotionally.
“It has become clear that the most important message in our workshops, is to challenge our participants to create an environment at work, which makes it safe for their work teams to explore emotions, opinions, play with ideas and take risks. In that way, a culture develops in which every one ‘feels heard’ and acknowledged and subsequently responds with energy, passion and a motivation to perform at their best.” Gary Friedman
Feedback from NTU Entrepreneurs
“We now feel more confident to express ourselves. We have new ideas for improving our presentations and meaningful ways to engage with our colleagues.”
To view the full 25-minute version of this Paper Playback Workshop in Norway film, click here!
The objectives are to use movement, guided visualisation and sensory activation to de-stress the participants, and activate their senses to heighten their creative potential. Improvisation exercises further develop their risk taking capabilities and spontaneous decision making skills as well as enhancing trust and confidence within the group. Performance using the medium of brown paper and every-day objects provides the opportunity to explore all modes of communication, demanding teamwork of a very profound and intense nature. Story-telling enhances group empathy and opens up a level of frank connection, which is unique and liberating in academic and business circles.
“I want to create the opportunity to let Gary & Sharon share with you in the spirit of opening horizons, looking at problems in a new light and coming up with new solutions.” Provost of Innovation, NTU Singapore, Jeffrey Nadison
Approach
Humour and laughter are the keys to opening up people and reaching them emotionally.
“It has become clear that the most important message in our workshops, is to challenge our participants to create an environment at work, which makes it safe for their work teams to explore emotions, opinions, play with ideas and take risks. In that way, a culture develops in which every one ‘feels heard’ and acknowledged and subsequently responds with energy, passion and a motivation to perform at their best.” Gary Friedman
Feedback from NTU Entrepreneurs
“We now feel more confident to express ourselves. We have new ideas for improving our presentations and meaningful ways to engage with our colleagues.”
To view the full 25-minute version of this Paper Playback Workshop in Norway film, click here!