We have already been talking about how successful the first Training Hotspot was, praising the smart organization by Teater Nu and the quick adaptation of each partner to the new online format. But, what do the beneficiaries think of this new form of training?
As we know, the beneficiaries’ feedback is incredibly important to guarantee the success of the project. Therefore, we asked the participants a few questions regarding their impressions on the first online event: the Training Hotspot “Performing Arts and The Shape of Cities“, live from Gothenburg. Among the beneficiaries, we have gathered answers from Francesca Berardi, artistic director, actress and theatrical trainer at Centro Teatrale Senigalliese (Italy), Giacomo Lilliù, from the Cultural Association MALTE (Italy), Irena Čučković and Nina Petrov from the association Kulturanova (Serbia) and Johan Paus, freelance theater director from Stockholm (Sweden). Let’s see what their views are.
Describe the Training Hotspot in 3 words. Why did you choose these words?
Francesca: “Smart, useful, interactive. I chose these words because I found the whole organization clever and the themes presented perfectly match my current needs.”
Giacomo: “Brave: you managed to make it happen notwithstanding current difficulties; Precise: the coordination of the video meeting was really efficient; it would have been very hard for the unexpected to take place, surely for the better (but I provocatively ask myself what is lost in such a tight management); Promising: all in all, it felt like a good place to start”.
Irena: “Creative, new, artistic. My main impression about the hotspot were the new ideas and approaches that I heard about from other participants”.
Nina: “Inspiring: I have gained some ideas for my intervention while listening to the lectures; Challenging: my internet broke off in the finale and I couldn’t participate in the last session; Relaxing: The walking session by Mold felt really good, and the whole ambience of being at home and not stressing out was appealing”.
Johan: “Relaxed, structured and interesting. I thought that how the event was handled was very good, it felt relaxed and structured. I enjoyed the hotspot. Mostly I enjoyed the discussions with the other participants, it was very interesting to discuss around everyones ideas and practices.”
Was it your first experience in a training event organised online? What did you like most and what would you improve?
G: “Yes, it was my first experience in this sense. As usual, the networking between participants is very stimulating once the ice is broken, but there was little time to get in depth. Unfortunately, I really can’t see a way to digitally compensate for a dinner together or a chat during a break, which are fundamental to enrich the training experience”.
I: “Beside some online classes, this was my first online event. I like that we managed to be productive regardless of the limits brought with online type of event. Of course, direct live contact with people is always missing in such occasions”.
N: “No, it wasn’t my first experience. I liked the ability to network with other people in the sessions that were open to the public on day 1. I hated the fact I was depending on a stable internet connection, which is always an uncertainty”.
J: “It was my first time at a online training event, I did not like the online format, it made it quite difficult to concentrate and get a feel of everyone in the project. However, I found it interesting to talk about the projects that were actually in motion. I would have liked more time with the participants”.
F: “It was my first experience in an on-line training event about performing arts. I usually participate in trainings about teaching and pedagogy which – I must say – are usually much more boring! I really appreciated the balance between interaction among groups and general sharings. Time management was smart, with moments of concentration, enjoyment, speaking and listening. I would just try to give some more space to get to know people beyond their job, maybe through games or informal moments, trying somehow to preserve (even if just on-line) those relaxing conversations in front of the beer we could have had!”
What did you think about the artistic interventions in non-conventional frameworks presented?
F: “I really loved the experience of the guided walk by Mold, because we could actually experiment and enjoy the performance on our skin. I think this is the most efficient way to share an experience and let people enter your world, especially if you have the barrier of distance. I have appreciated the other interventions as well. They were interesting, professional and passionate, but a more interactive touch to the presentation would have added value and given us time to really understand their projects”.
G: “As a theatre practitioner myself, I think Mold was especially effective, as they could not only present their work but also give us a taste of it. Lisa Torrell and Emilio da Cruz Brandao had to rely on a more frontal presentation instead, which maybe didn’t help us immerse in their achievements; all the contributors came across as really prepared nonetheless, and the Q&A somewhat helped bridge the digital gap”.
J: “To me, the external lecturers were not so interesting. If we would have met in person I think it would have worked better but in this format I found it quite difficult to listen for such a long time”.
I: “They were very interesting and inspiring for some future projects. I’d like to know more about them”.
N: “They really opened my mind to new ideas. I was wandering around the place, walking, while I was listening to the presentations. I only wished there were more materials shared after the sessions, such as recorded videos, more publications, etc”.
Do you have some cooperation ideas that could be developed with other participants?
F: “Yes, I found many interesting points in common with other participants and I think this represents a fertile ground to plant a shared project, but the ideas are yet to be developed. For now, I’ve just added everybody on Facebook, a first step to keep in touch, follow projects and share ideas!”
G: “Not at the moment, we’ll see in the next meetings!”
I: “Not yet, but I’m sure some will come up during the following events”.
N: “Not at this moment. I guess that part is much more efficient in a live framework”.