JONOTHAN NEELANDS - ISTA PATRON
I am a National Teaching Fellow, Professor of Creative Education at the Warwick Business School and Chair of Drama and Theatre Education at the University of Warwick. In addition to my academic profile, I am an experienced creative workshop leader and drama practitioner with a national and international reputation for delivering high quality keynotes, executive education and master classes.
Recently, I was Director of Study for the Warwick Commission on the Future of Cultural Value and Research Project Director for the Creative Industries Federation. I am Director of Research on the Executive Bid Committee for Coventry City of Culture 2021.
I am the author of several texts for teachers and students, including Structuring Drama Work, Beginning Drama 11-14, Key Shakespeare 1 and 2 and Advanced Drama and Theatre Studies and Improving Your Primary School Through Drama. Peter O’Connor’s Creating Democratic Citizens through Drama Education: the writings of Jonothan Neelands is published by Trentham.
Recently, I was Director of Study for the Warwick Commission on the Future of Cultural Value and Research Project Director for the Creative Industries Federation. I am Director of Research on the Executive Bid Committee for Coventry City of Culture 2021.
I am the author of several texts for teachers and students, including Structuring Drama Work, Beginning Drama 11-14, Key Shakespeare 1 and 2 and Advanced Drama and Theatre Studies and Improving Your Primary School Through Drama. Peter O’Connor’s Creating Democratic Citizens through Drama Education: the writings of Jonothan Neelands is published by Trentham.
Dinos aristidou - artistic director
My work as a director and playwright has given me the opportunity to work with a range of exciting companies and organisations. I am currently developing a new piece with Birmingham Royal Ballet and my play, Leaves on a Line, commissioned by Forest Forge Theatre Company toured in 2015. I am currently working on a programme developing young writers for the theatre and with UCAN, training visually impaired young people as theatre directors.
I love connections between people, cultures and ideas, and this is what guides my work. Theatre is a powerful means of bringing people together and staging our lives, the world we live in and our visions for the future.
I’m a senior examiner for the IB Diploma Theatre programme and was very involved in the review and development of the revised Theatre course. I was creator and editor of the teacher support materials for this programme and have been a keynote speaker for the IB on creativity and on reflection.
I love connections between people, cultures and ideas, and this is what guides my work. Theatre is a powerful means of bringing people together and staging our lives, the world we live in and our visions for the future.
I’m a senior examiner for the IB Diploma Theatre programme and was very involved in the review and development of the revised Theatre course. I was creator and editor of the teacher support materials for this programme and have been a keynote speaker for the IB on creativity and on reflection.
Keriann O'rourke - Rep
I call Singapore my "home away from home" and have been working here in education as a Kindergarten teacher as well as a drama and dance middle school specialist. I am a proud member of the ISTA team and work as an Event coordinator, Digital and social media coordinator and also as the Singapore regional coordinator for ISTA.
I adore all things that have to do with using our bodies and voices in unique ways to tell stories, interpret texts and to develop a creative understanding of our world around us. I am particularly interested in ways that we can use technology in our arts classroom to make our theatre work come to life - taking what we already know, applying visual, audio and experiential elements to make the actor's experience move beyond the stage.
I am very passionate about service projects in both Canada and Cambodia. Currently I volunteer as the Tabitha Foundation Singapore house building coordinator and I have fundraised and built houses for over 180 Cambodian families in need of a safe and secure home. I have also fought in two charity boxing matches to raise money for the Children's Surgical Centre in Phnom Penh.
I adore all things that have to do with using our bodies and voices in unique ways to tell stories, interpret texts and to develop a creative understanding of our world around us. I am particularly interested in ways that we can use technology in our arts classroom to make our theatre work come to life - taking what we already know, applying visual, audio and experiential elements to make the actor's experience move beyond the stage.
I am very passionate about service projects in both Canada and Cambodia. Currently I volunteer as the Tabitha Foundation Singapore house building coordinator and I have fundraised and built houses for over 180 Cambodian families in need of a safe and secure home. I have also fought in two charity boxing matches to raise money for the Children's Surgical Centre in Phnom Penh.
Buntheoun- student ensemble leader
In 2015 I joined the Inclusive Arts Course (IAC) with Epic Arts and studied for two full years. I successfully graduated from the course in April 2017 and became a dancer with Epic Arts. I believe that I am the first contemporary dancer with severe cerebral palsy.
I love dance. I believe that dancing empowers people. To me, dance helped my body stretch, move and be strong, and it built up my own confidence to be able to express myself with others. With Epic Arts, I have recently worked with a director’s team from the United Kingdom to choreograph a drama dance piece called Buffalo Boy which explores the life story and experiences of a young buffalo farmer in Cambodia.
I love dance. I believe that dancing empowers people. To me, dance helped my body stretch, move and be strong, and it built up my own confidence to be able to express myself with others. With Epic Arts, I have recently worked with a director’s team from the United Kingdom to choreograph a drama dance piece called Buffalo Boy which explores the life story and experiences of a young buffalo farmer in Cambodia.
Nita Dewse - student ensemble leader
I grew up in Melbourne but have spent most of my adult life abroad teaching drama in England, Mexico, Singapore and now in Thailand. In 1999 I completed my MA at the Central School of Speech and Drama specialising in the use of dramatherapy in anger management programmes with violent offenders in prisons and probation.
Now, as an artist in an international setting, I am increasingly driven by a desire to stop students atrophying into 50-year old economists before they’ve even finished being a teenager. I want students to understand the power of creativity that comes through play: playing games, playing with ideas, playing with their own limits.
Now, as an artist in an international setting, I am increasingly driven by a desire to stop students atrophying into 50-year old economists before they’ve even finished being a teenager. I want students to understand the power of creativity that comes through play: playing games, playing with ideas, playing with their own limits.
neil farrelly - student ensemble leader
I studied at Middlesex University, London, and for the past 25 years have worked in teaching, directing, writing and collaborating with students and artists all over Asia. Alongside that I run a small arts company, Nose2Nose, based in London, giving young students work opportunities in the arts. I live in north Japan with my wife and dog.
I’m interested in everyone and everything and I’m always looking for the balance between the inside of me and what’s out there. I have worked as a SEL for ISTA for several years, TaPS in London and I’m an AD for an ISTA festival in Kolkata in December 2015.
I’m interested in everyone and everything and I’m always looking for the balance between the inside of me and what’s out there. I have worked as a SEL for ISTA for several years, TaPS in London and I’m an AD for an ISTA festival in Kolkata in December 2015.
Huot heng - student ensemble leader
I was born in Battambang in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I have performed internationally with Le Théâtre du Soleil in the play The Terrible But Unfinished History of King Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia which toured in France and Portugal in 2011 and 2013. I began my journey with Phare Ponleu Selpak in 1999 as a circus student and toured in different provinces in Cambodia gaining valuable performance experience. I have trained in France to develop my skills in hand to hand acrobatics, circus flying, playwriting, directing, teaching methodology and artistic pedagogy.
In 2006 I became a teacher at Phare while also continuing as an artist for eight years. I recently performed a lead role in the Phare show See You Yesterday and collaborated on a theatre-circus play with the Global Arts Corps and Amrita Performing Arts organisations. I am currently the pedagogical coordinator for the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association.
In 2006 I became a teacher at Phare while also continuing as an artist for eight years. I recently performed a lead role in the Phare show See You Yesterday and collaborated on a theatre-circus play with the Global Arts Corps and Amrita Performing Arts organisations. I am currently the pedagogical coordinator for the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association.
sam monny - student ensemble leader
I hail from Battambang province in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I have performed internationally with Le Théâtre du Soleil in the play The Terrible But Unfinished history of King Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia which toured in France and Portugal in 2011 and 2013. I worked as a manager to lead the circus and theatre performing group when it toured within Cambodia between 2001-2010.
I joined the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association as a circus assistant and later as a performer with the circus theatre troupe from 2000-2003. The association is dedicated to rebuilding artistic culture in Cambodia and promotes a sense of pride and identity for both its students and audiences. The school provides educational programming, visual and performing arts programming as well as social support for children and families in need. Currently, I work as a theatre coordinator and teacher with the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association performing arts school since 2003.
I joined the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association as a circus assistant and later as a performer with the circus theatre troupe from 2000-2003. The association is dedicated to rebuilding artistic culture in Cambodia and promotes a sense of pride and identity for both its students and audiences. The school provides educational programming, visual and performing arts programming as well as social support for children and families in need. Currently, I work as a theatre coordinator and teacher with the Phare Ponleu Selpak Association performing arts school since 2003.
LAY noth - Student ensemble leader
I am 25 years old. I was born deaf and my younger brother is also deaf. I live in Kampot City in southern Cambodia with my family. My passion is to move, experience emotions through my body and to dance. I joined my first dance class at Epic Arts nine years ago.
In the beginning, I danced for the simple enjoyment of it. Dance, for me, was a way to have a good time with other children with disabilities. Now, I am an Epic Encounters dancer who creates projects and performs with the group. I have recently created a new project along with my fellow Epic Arts performer Buntheoun. This new dance performance demonstrates the true personal story of Buntheoun growing up in rural Cambodia with cerebral palsy.
In the beginning, I danced for the simple enjoyment of it. Dance, for me, was a way to have a good time with other children with disabilities. Now, I am an Epic Encounters dancer who creates projects and performs with the group. I have recently created a new project along with my fellow Epic Arts performer Buntheoun. This new dance performance demonstrates the true personal story of Buntheoun growing up in rural Cambodia with cerebral palsy.
Sakun Po - student ensemble leader
I fell ill to polio as a child which affected both of my legs. I haven’t walked since I was six years old. I have experienced a lot of challenges throughout my life and faced many challenging and negative behaviours from other people. Often people do not understand my experience but my goal in working with Epic Arts to to help people see that I can do amazing things on two wheels.
I first joined Epic Arts as an administrator because I am able to communicate well in English and also with computers. In 2013, I joined the Inclusive Arts Course (IAC) that is run by Epic Arts. The students involved in the IAC are given a creative voice and learn to believe in our abilities, see the opportunities that are possible for us and develop skills and confidence. During this time, I studied for two years and learned dance and theatre skills. I am now an Epic Arts contemporary dancer and tour leader. This year I lead my team to present a creative dance workshop and we performed in provinces all around Cambodia.
I first joined Epic Arts as an administrator because I am able to communicate well in English and also with computers. In 2013, I joined the Inclusive Arts Course (IAC) that is run by Epic Arts. The students involved in the IAC are given a creative voice and learn to believe in our abilities, see the opportunities that are possible for us and develop skills and confidence. During this time, I studied for two years and learned dance and theatre skills. I am now an Epic Arts contemporary dancer and tour leader. This year I lead my team to present a creative dance workshop and we performed in provinces all around Cambodia.