Almeida Theatre

Naomi Cortes on stage at the Almeida theatre - image courtesy of Helen Maybanks

Naomi joined the project's team at the Almeida Theatre as an actor-practitioner, directing a range of young people as part of the theatre’s Residencies programme in primary and secondary schools, as well as developing their Academy activities.

She was the lead practitioner working with The Bridge School, which caters for students with learning difficulties, some of them profound and multiple. She built a close working relationship with the school and used various drama methods to encourage the students to empower themselves and use these skills elsewhere in their lives. Her role explored the theatre’s productions, and developed the students’ confidence and understanding of stagecraft methods, whilst giving them the chance to create new work and perform on the Almeida stage.

Naomi was also lead practitioner on the Almeida’s pilot Residency with primary schools and was instrumental in establishing the Almeida Academy, a weekly drama club aimed at children and young people between the ages of five and fourteen. The classes gave the participants an opportunity to experiment with their creativity, build confidence and develop skills whilst, most importantly, having fun.

                            

"Naomi is a dynamo' in the truest sense of the word. Her infectious energy and passion light up a room, securing trust and participation with immediate effect. Not only is she a highly skilled practitioner, but her creative vision, her diversity and adaptability are vital assets to the Almeida Theatre's team. It is rare to find a specialist who delivers to such a consistently high quality, whom I would trust to drop in to any environment with absolute confidence."
Julia Potts- Executive Director, Almeida Theatre