Gareth Marks Email & Phone Number

Singapore

Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

As Head of Faculty I have been instrumental in setting up our inaugural Arts Festival. This Festival follows the model of Arts Festivals from my previous role at NLCS, Jeju and features performances, workshops from visiting artists, concerts and the intention is that the majority of the work is student generated. I am a firm believer that through mounting their own productions, exhibitions, concerts and pop-up events that the students develop skills far beyond the excellent Arts provision that we offer. The Festival opens up innovative ways of using theatre and non-theatre spaces around the school.The Faculty meet regularly and work collaboratively to inspire our students through innovative Schemes of Learning and provide excellent co-curricular opportunities. As Head of Drama, the academic standards remain very high, with some of the best IGCSE results in the school. In recent months our students have continued to create innovative Devised and Scripted work, working in a socially distanced way, as S.O.Ps dictate. Myself and these students have shared the work we have done to appreciative audiences online through FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) Professional Development workshops, demonstrating techniques and some of our exciting discoveries.Each year the department performs: A Whole School Musical- Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods- Large ensemble casts, double-cast principal roles.A Senior School Play- either devised or scripted and open to all-comers IGCSE Devised and Scripted, Monologue Public PerformancesA-Level Public Performances Showcases of student work at KS3- Commedia, 'The Gruffalo'- a play devised for the Early Years of our school.Students have enjoyed workshops from the likes of Dai Matsuoka- Butoh (Sankai Juku) and Simone Tani- Clown and Buffon.Progress was hindered but certainly not unduly affected by Covid with excellent 'Lockdown Horror Films' and winners in the FOBISIA Monologue Challenge.

Jeju, Jeju-Do, Korea

A passionate leader of a Drama Department that achieves academic excellence, alongside driving a love for the Arts through Co-curricular activities. A dedicated driving force of an annual Arts Festival that has seen up to 114 performances in one week and has attracted some of the world's leading theatre practitioners- Frantic Assembly, Gecko, Zen Zen Zo to work with students. Each year, the department oversees at the least the following:• Senior Years Play- Years 10-13- casts of up to 50• Whole School Musical- Years 7-13 large ensemble casts • Lower Years devised or scripted play• 2 teacher-led devised or scripted performances in Arts Week• Multiple student-led projects both scripted and devised by the students (created independently of the classroom and curriculum and supported by Drama staff)Other leading specialists to work with our students include: Handspsring Puppet Theatre Company (South Africa), Kevin Tomlinson and Abi Hood- Mask Specialists, Aircraft Circus and Aerial Theatre.I have been a tutor, support tutor and led professional development for other departments in 'Effective grouping for academic success', 'How to use the voice effectively in the classroom' and 'Establishing a Cohesive Tutor Group'. I have taken whole school assemblies and interviewed prospective students for our school. The most recent Inspection Report stated: "The head of department is a champion of the subject, and leads the department with a sense of direction and purpose. Collaboration between members of the drama department is exceptional".

Sherborne, Dorset

Forged cross-curricular links with other departments both through the curriculum- in a triangular department series of observations and through volunteering to be part of a scheme where teachers would learn about and then teach other subjects and through the Co-curricular programme of school performances- My promenade performance of Alice in Wonderland involved numerous departments directing their own scene, bringing their own subject- specific focus (An MFL Tea Party scene performed in French, German and Spanish being a personal highlight).Practiced and applied Mindfulness techniques in the Classroom.Directed numerous plays- Faustus, Cyrano, Alice.Assisted on a ground-breaking Feature film "Far from the Madding Crowd", directed by Ros Clark and shown Worldwide and on BBC.

London West End, National Tours, International Tours

West End shows, National and International tours including musicals, children's theatre, physical theatre and street theatre.Some TV work including work for BBC

Chiswick, London

Teaching adults the basic principles of acting. I designed a course that enabled adults of all ages and walks of life to gain confidence through drama and to then develop their skills through furthering their knowledge of theatre practitioners.

Chiswick, London

Planned and delivered a week long Summer School for young people over a vast age range 8-16, culminating in performances. Managed a team consisting of Musical Director, Choreographer and Director (myself).

Wood Green, London

Teacher of the acting course as part of the Musical Theatre Foundation Course.Teacher of Saturday Youth Group with ages 11-16

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba (Hons), Theatre Studies, 2:1

Activities and Societies: Rock Climbing Society, University Sports Representative- Rugby, College Entertainment Committee, College Sports.

Education record

A-Levels: English Lit French History General Studies