ISTA Brussels Trip

The International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) brings together creative risk-takers from all over the globe to work day and night in ensemble groups and masterclass workshops and devise an original piece of theater. Waffles, hot chocolate and crisp, crunchy snow are just some of the things eight intrepid drama students encountered during their ISTA festival in Brussels from 1 to 5 February. Braving temperatures of -15, our high school actors, dancers, musicians, devisers and storytellers collaborated with 140 other international students from around the world to perform a unique piece of theater at the British School of Brussels. Chaperoned by Joyce Halsey and Jo King, this is the 8th ISTA festival ICS students have participated in - including hosting their own here at ICS for 75 students.

The stimulus or starting point for each festival is different every time - in Brussels it was the breathtaking graphic novel The Arrival by Shaun Tan - and from this starting point sprang many artistic ideas - all channeled through the capable hands, minds and eyes of ISTA ensemble leaders. In addition to their ensemble groups and masterclass workshops (ranging from Cirque du Soleil skills to Stage Combat), students spent a day out and about in Brussels gathering ideas and digital evidence for use in their final production. A moving final public performance, with haunting music and emotive backdrops, their dramatic creations were a credit to their families, their schools and their wider global communities. To find out more about ISTA, check out their website www.ista.co.uk, as well as our photos on Public on Tiger High School Drama folder.