Heading into this year's ISSEA Drama and Visual Arts Festival, the vibe was a mix of excitement and nerves. ISSEA Drama and Visual Arts is different from other ISSEA events in the sense that it is not a competition. We are there to contemplate each other's artistic and theatrical creativity and skills, before working together to unify them in one last piece. By Sharlen This year the festival was hosted by the International School of Kenya. The Lions are a very welcoming and beautiful community, providing us with unforgettable experiences. As a Drama student, the moment of stepping on to the stage and showcasing our piece was a real test of nerves. Yet we went there and performed to the best of our abilities, although we missed a couple of lines from our script. In that crunch moment, teamwork shone through. We improvised and turned a potential flop into a standout moment, and it felt...awesome. After the performances, we headed to our workshops to experiment with new forms and interactions. I got to "fly" in a drama workshop, experiencing a whole new level of artistic expression. It's something I'd never done before, and it was exhilarating. Plus, exchanging ideas with people from different cultures and artistic backgrounds in a setting outside of our normal school routines was a priceless experience. What stood out during the ISSEA fest were the performances and art from other participants. It was like a showcase of the best young talent around, each piece or performance more impressive than the last. It was inspiring to see what people can create when they're passionate about it. In one of the performances the students navigated through “parallel realms” by exploring different cultural dances and how they often alienated from each other, denying us access to new "realms" of thinking and feeling about life. It was fascinating to watch the artwork evolve throughout the festival. You could see the progress - the shifts in creativity and skill - right before your eyes. It was a testament to the power of learning and experimenting in a supportive environment. And let's not forget the food—it was incredible. Nothing bonds people quite like sharing good meals, and ISK provided it in spades. As the festival drew to a close, the final drama performance showcased everything we'd picked up over our time there, such as the "fly", storytelling modes and dance "realms" from the workshops. It was a powerful demonstration of skill, creativity, and learning, leaving everyone in awe of what had been accomplished in such a short time.
The ISSEA Drama and Visual Arts Festival was an incredible event to be a part of. Despite the initial uncertainties and the sleepless start, it was a whirlwind of creativity, learning, and amazing food, which proved to be a fantastic opportunity to meet other young artists, learn from them, and be inspired by their work. Like all my fellow participants, I can't wait for the next one!
4 Comments
Terry
29/3/2024 13:09:20
What a fantastic experience you had, Sharlen! You’ve done a fabulous job of capturing the elements of this ISSEA that made it so special.
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Sharlen
13/4/2024 10:45:46
Thank you!!
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Jun Lawrence Espinosa
9/4/2024 07:43:01
Great job, Sharlen! See you in the next ISSEA Festival!
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Sharlen
13/4/2024 10:46:40
Thank you, see you!!
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