1st Workshop

Follow my hand

On June 7 2024 18:00-20:30 Amanda Dulevicha from the Latvian team hosted a theatre club session with art-therapeutic elements in Young Folks. The topic was exploration of collaboration, as well as the roles of the leader and the follower, the oppressor and the oppressed. The participants tried these roles, imitated situations and reflected on their feelings, what role they prefer, which life situations there can be with such social positions.

At first there was a warm-up, where each participant showed a warm-up movement for everyone to repeat. Then Amanda helped them activate their attention with a theatrical exercise which trains coordination and multi-level attention.

After that the participants were instructed on the "Follow My Hand" activity. It helped build connection and empathy within the group by encouraging participants to observe and mimic each other's movements. Through this nonverbal interaction, participants strengthened their ability to communicate and connect with each other. Then they reflected on their feelings and preferences (including "which was more easy and comfortable for you – to lead or to follow?")The second block was "Sculpture and Clay" activities. At first the participants divided in pairs and built connection and understandings of the activity and each other by freely modeling their partner. Then different topics were added so the participants explored not only interaction, but also physical storytelling. Then a reflection was held.