“Close to Talent” – Complex Talent Development Program 2024

PROJECT REPORT

#nemzetitehetségprogram #mindentehetségszámít

Project Title: Support for the “Fordított Patkó” and “Kalamajka” Drama Clubs

Grant Category: “Close to Talent” – Support for Complex Talent Development Programs

Awarded Amount: 3,600,000 HUF

Sponsor: National Cultural Funding Manager on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation

Implementation Period: 2 September 2024 – 31 August 2025

Presentation of the Program’s Objectives

Within the framework of the “Close to Talent” program, the Bethlen Gábor Foundation implemented a complex talent development program that contributed to the unfolding of students’ personalities, the development of their self-awareness, and the broadening of their cultural horizons. The aim of the program was for the participating youth to develop through regular theatre rehearsals, drama pedagogy sessions, theatrical performances, as well as activities designed for both parents and students.

Results Achieved During Implementation

Regular Drama Club Activities

In the 2024–2025 academic year, the Kalamajka drama club started its work with a 27-member team under the direction of actress Andrea Fincziski and teacher Brigitta Fodor. The Fordított Patkó group also worked continuously throughout the year, presenting an increasing number of performances and appearances. Their supervising teacher is Katalin Fodor, and the director is Levente Imecs-Magdó.

Rehearsals were held weekly with the involvement of qualified professionals. The instructors’ fees were financed from the grant.

2. Theatre Visits and Theatre Education Programs

During the school year, we visited the Hungarian State Theatre of Cluj-Napoca several times, with entrance tickets covered by the grant. The performances we attended included:

Stage adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Nightingale
The musical Tom Sawyer directed by Zoltán Puskás
Mihály Vörösmarty’s drama Csongor and Tünde, performed by the Szatmár Harag György Company, directed by Sardar Tagirovsky
ESZIK VAGY ISSZÁK? – Theatre Education Program

A few days after viewing the performances, theatre professionals conduct follow-up workshops for the students participating in the program.

Theatre pedagogy is an alternative teaching method that enriches participants’ general knowledge, empathy, self-awareness, self-confidence, and sense of responsibility within the community.

The program coordinator, as well as the facilitator of the preparatory and follow-up sessions, was drama pedagogue Tünde Kocsis – we thank her for her work!

3. Movie

We placed particular emphasis on involving parents. The Kalamajka drama club’s showcase workshop and the short film made about it provided insight into the educational value of drama. Parents were able to participate in the sessions and engage in joint discussions about the role of talent development. This occasion strengthened the parent-child relationship and the sense of belonging to the community.

4. Theatre Promotion Tour

Between April 7th and 11th, the Kalamajka drama club embarked on a promotional tour. During the program, they held performances and drama games at schools in the following communities:

Magyarlapád
Várfalva
Bethlenszentmiklós
Székelykocsárd

The students presented short stage scenes and then introduced their peers to the world of drama through shared games. The initiative aimed at talent identification as well as strengthening the school communities. The grant covered the travel expenses related to the drama club’s tour.

5. Equipment Acquisition

Technical equipment necessary for the smooth and high-quality implementation of the program was also procured:

2 wireless microphones, which ensured sound amplification during stage performances and were especially important for off-site and public appearances.
2 new movable stage flats , which enhanced visual presentation and scene changes, supporting the students’ aesthetic education and improving the audience experience.
Drama club T-shirts were also purchased.

These tools will serve the school’s drama-related programs in the long term.

6. Family Sensitization Program

The drama season was concluded with a family sensitization event, to which we also invited the parents of the students participating in the program. The aim of the meeting was for parents to:

gain insight into their children’s drama activities;
learn which talents and skills were activated during the sessions;
provide feedback on their children’s development;
collaboratively consider future development opportunities.

During the event, Ms. Brigitta Fodor, the program’s professional leader, summarized the year’s results and presented future plans. The discussions clearly showed that drama had a positive impact not only on the students but also on their families: it supported the development of self-confidence and self-expression, and strengthened the parent-child relationship.

7. Results – Performances

Special thanks go to the dedicated work of the supervising teachers and directors, without whom none of this would have been possible!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – A stage adaptation based on Roald Dahl’s novel, performed by the Kalamajka student drama club, under the direction of Brigitta Fodor and directed by Andrea Fincziski. (Click on the first picture to view)

This school year, the Fordított Patkó group worked on a new performance directed by Levente Imecs-Magdó. The play’s author is Szymon Jachimek, and the title is: Jeremi Pulls Himself Together. Lol. The activities are led by Katalin Fodor, the head and founder of the drama club. (Click on the first picture to view)