Les arts de la scène au service de la diversité et de l'inclusion scolaire

We wanted to reflect with the learners on the notions of openness to the other and better self-knowledge through a scenic realization, which would be an opportunity for mutual enrichment through t...

We wanted to reflect with the learners on the notions of openness to the other and better self-knowledge through a scenic realization, which would be an opportunity for mutual enrichment through the habits and customs of a foreign country, by discovering a different language and culture. The objective was also to achieve a common show that would dialogue two texts, in two languages, Spanish and French, on the same set. The challenge was to achieve, during the mobility, to create the essential interactions between the two groups for the coherence of the show. We also wanted to discover new places of culture, develop among learners the feeling of belonging to the same continent, Europe, with its diversity and cultural, ethnic or social diversity thanks to the performing arts, communication through the body, the look, the voice. This Erasmus + project also aimed to develop international relations in our school, to show how learners could develop the skills already stated through European devices that allow often disadvantaged students to live such an experience.

The teachers met to choose the theatrical works and define the project in its objectives and modalities. Then, the four "ambassador" students were able to discover the partner institution and the education system of the host country, meet the group of the neighbouring country and realise the progress of everyone's scenic work. The experience on their return facilitated relations between French and Spanish. The learners of the countries finally met to work on the creation of the final show and its staging to lead to the two performances, one in Madrid and the other in Montpellier. The mobilities made it possible to finalise the interactions between each group during the show. Between each mobility, the two teaching teams communicated by videoconference to refine the project, analyse the technical difficulties encountered and find adapted solutions. During the mobility in Montpellier, Spanish learners were able to take advantage of the expertise of theatre option speakers. During the mobility, common cultural visits (museums, monuments, guided city tours) were organised in both countries to promote exchanges outside the plateau.

Two shows featuring scenes from Molière's Impromptu de Versailles and Lope de Vega's Chevalier d'Olmedo were presented in front of an audience of parents, educational staff from institutions and cultural actors in two theatres: the Casa de Vacas theatre in Madrid, and the CDN -Théâtre des 13 vents in Montpellier. Everyone praised their quasi-professional qualities, both for the performance of the actors and for the lights, sound and costumes. These 2 shows were filmed by specialists and the results were put online on a dedicated platform, so that everyone can access them in both Spain and France. These recordings will make it possible to promote the teaching of performing arts and possible achievements through an Erasmus + project. The students showed remarkable adaptation skills since they had little time to make their mark on very different scenic spaces, and made a superb and aesthetic performance while some were playing in public for the first time. This experience acquired thanks to this Erasmus + project made them progress much more than the expectations of an optional option, beyond our expectations.