ISTA PHILOSOPHY

The International Schools Theatre Association is committed to the goals of promoting international understanding; building the skills, confidence and character of young students through experiences in drama; and emphasising learning and sharing rather than competition.


ISTA AIMS
From its inception, ISTA has designed and delivered programmes aimed at engaging students and teachers of diverse cultural backgrounds in theatre events based on the philosophy of the association. Through participation, and through ISTA activities used by teachers and students at their home schools, members learn to respond to text and global issues aesthetically, intellectually and emotionally; to become familiar with diverse styles and genres; to exercise their creative abilities; and to make judgements based on critical perception and analysis.

THE ISTA MISSION IS
to promote standards of excellence in drama / theatre education;
to promote increased awareness of global issues through collaborative, artistic problem solving;
to promote cultural diversity through the exploration, creation, and appreciation of artistic work;
to advocate and demonstrate the social value of the arts;
to identify and develop innovative approaches to arts-in-education that aim to help all teachers and students achieve world-class standards of artistic literacy and fluency.

ISTA ENSEMBLE PHILOSOPHY
1 The ISTA Ensemble provides a place where the strength of each individual combines to foster a supportive and non-competitive learning
environment.
2 An Ensemble is a group of individuals who, through theatre activities,are brought together physically, intellectually and emotionally as a collective working toward a common goal and from a common value system.

ISTA ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION
ISTA is a registered Company and a registered Charity in the United Kingdom. The association is governed by an Executive Council elected by the membership. The Council, in addition to performing its legal duties, appoints a full-time Executive Consultant, located in London, and a part-time ISTA Co-ordinator Asia/Pacific, located in Hong Kong, both of whom oversee the day-to-day administrative tasks and organise the various annual events. Staff for ISTA activities are selected by the Executive Consultant and Asia/Pacific Co-ordinator, in consultation with the ISTA Staffing Committee appointed by the Executive Council and in consultation with the Event Hosts and Co-ordinators.

ISTA VALUES
The environment ISTA hopes to create through its ensemble approach will foster:
mutual-respect
non-competition
co-operation
awareness of multi-cultural taboos
equality (power, racial, gender, economic, etc)
self-discipline
respect for and understanding of the theatre/ensemble process
the imparting of theatre skills, knowledge and attitude

ISTA EVENTS
Following is a brief description of events that are scheduled for 2000/2001:

High School Theatre Festivals
These festivals usually run from Friday afternoon through Monday noon, although the Asian and African Festivals may be scheduled for a slightly longer period. Approximately 100-150 students register for each festival, and ISTA, recruits 1 staff member for every 16-20 students. Formats at the various festivals differ, but staff generally are expected to act as Ensemble and Workshop directors, using the Ensemble approach to theatre. There are no prizes or awards, but some type of discussion often is used to consider the students presentations.

Middle School Theatre Festivals
These festivals usually run from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, although some festivals may be scheduled a bit longer. Approximately 100-150 students register for each festival, and ISTA recruits 1 staff member for every 16-20 students. Formats are similar to those of the High School Festivals, but there is less focus on prepared presentations and more on creative on-site work. Staff generally are expected to act as Ensemble and Workshop Directors, using the Ensemble approach to theatre. There are no prizes of awards, but some type of discussion might be used to consider the students presentations.

We are pleased to announce that St Julians School is now a fully fledged member of this important organisation and is pleased to be hosting a high school festival here in October 2001

We are actively seeking sponsorship in order to keep costs down and to support the theatre and creative arts programmes of the school!