KA210ADU Project: Theater Activities for the Inclusion of Blind People

Eyes Shut - SENSORIAL THEATER FOR ADULTS WITH VISUAL DISABILITY

Training of Trainers 03-06 March 2025, Smederevo

Implementation

In an effort to make theater more inclusive and accessible, the Eyes Shut – Sensorial Theater for Adults with Visual Disability project is pioneering a new approach to performing arts. Through the Training of Trainers (ToT) held in Smederevo, Serbia from March 3-6, 2025, participants from Cyprus, Romania, and Serbia explored innovative ways to engage the senses beyond sight, making theater an immersive experience for both visually impaired individuals and general audiences.

General Video of the training

This KA2 project brings together three organizations committed to fostering inclusion through the arts. Hosted by Patos, a renowned Serbian theater group, the training aimed to equip participants with the skills and methodologies needed to implement sensorial theater in their local communities. The sessions combined non-verbal communication techniques, sensory stimulation exercises, and hands-on production work, allowing participants to experience firsthand the power of sound, touch, smell, and movement in storytelling.

During the training, participants engaged in practical workshops covering image theater, silent communication, and multi-sensory storytelling techniques. Through a blend of cultural immersion, collaborative creation, and professional mentoring, each national team designed and performed their own sensorial theater play, culminating in a final showcase on March 6.

This training was more than just a workshop—it was a transformative experience, fostering creativity, empathy, and deeper connections between performers and audiences. With local implementations planned in Cyprus, Romania, and Serbia, the knowledge gained during this training will continue to empower artists, educators, and communities in making theater a truly inclusive space for all.

Detailed description day by day

Day 1 (3 March 2025)

The first day of the project! After our very Balkan breakfast of lots of coffee and biscuits, we were introduced to trainers Andjela and Isidora and we engaged in some introductory workshops in the field of theatre, such as basic image theatre and silent communication techniques. This also doubled as icebreaking activities and such the Cypriot, Romanian and Serbian team quickly learned all there is about each other.

After introductions to the three organizations within this KA2 project, we had an introduction to Patos and all the work they do locally. After lunch we had the chance to explore the city of Smederevo, where we also had to collect some materials based on feel and sound for our next workshop.

This was about the multi-sensory stimulation where, with closed eyes, each of the three teams told a story with the collected materials within the town. Some used branches or flowers, and others used gum and even popcorn. The last activity of the day was a short play, without sound or movement telling a story, based on photography we took of the city.

The day ended with Inner Lights, an eyes-shut performance by the Serbian team.

Day 2 (4 March 2025)

The energizer-based workshop of the day focused on calming activities as well as understand concepts and words using only movement, this short exercise led to Dusan showing us the cultural theatre that is right next to Patos’ workshop area.

 More importantly, we were also shown the backstage of how exactly the Inner Lights play happened, and what materials were used for the entire performance. In split teams, we also learned about the concepts of sound, feel, smell, taste and touch that encompasses the creation of such a theatre play. This served as Production Parts I and II of creating our own such play.

Afterwards we had a cultural visit to the Fortress of Smederevo, where we learned all about its history. The end of the day focused on pre-production of our plays, in national teams, set to take place on the 6th of March.

Day 3 (5 March 2025)

After the usual energizer of the day, this time based on dancing, all three national teams were set to prepare their plays’, which is what we spent the whole day on. With 6 actors per team (one designated entirely on digital sound management), each team worked on writing the story and dialogue, picking and choosing audio tracks, purchasing consumables (with a given budget of 3000 Serbian dinars!) and more. This took the bulk of the day, and the night focused on culture, where each country presented their snacks, traditions, and more.

Day 4 (6 March 2025)

Showtime day! After even more preparation each team was ready to showcase to the other two national teams as audiences. The Cypriot team created a mythical folklore like play, masked as a love story with the groom being a man who has a bandana, yet never takes it off.

The Romanian team created a play, taking place entirely in a Balkan home during Christmas and all the chaos that entails The Serbian team created a time travelling story, jumping from the past to even the future replacing a history class.

With the final reflections and dinner at a traditional Serbian restaurant, all 3 teams are set for their local implementations

The Eyes Shut – Sensorial Theater for Adults with Visual Disability project is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to make theater more inclusive and accessible for visually impaired individuals. Through the use of multi-sensory storytelling, this project redefines the theatrical experience by emphasizing sound, touch, movement, and emotion, rather than relying solely on visual elements.

From March 3-6, 2025, representatives from Cyprus, Romania, and Serbia gathered in Smederevo, Serbia for a Training of Trainers (ToT), hosted by Patos Theater. The training focused on equipping participants with non-verbal communication techniques, sensory-based theater methods, and immersive storytelling approaches. Participants engaged in workshops exploring image theater, silent communication, and multi-sensory experiences, culminating in the creation of their own sensorial theater performances.

Each national team developed and staged an original play using sound, textures, and movement to convey emotion and narrative in an innovative way. The performances showcased the power of inclusive theater, allowing audiences to experience storytelling beyond sight.

However, the journey does not end in Serbia. Following this training, each participating country will now develop and stage its own theatrical production using the methodologies learned. This next phase will involve local communities, artists, and visually impaired individuals, ensuring that the project’s impact extends far beyond the training itself.

By fostering creativity, accessibility, and inclusion, the Eyes Shut project is paving the way for a more equitable and sensory-rich approach to theater, proving that storytelling is a universal experience—one that transcends visual perception and embraces all senses.

Project Focus:

• Inclusive theater for blind and visually impaired adults

• Theater performances within local communities

• Development of non-formal education (NFE) methods for inclusion

Key Responsibilities: As a youth worker selected for this project, you will be responsible for:

• Participating in the "Training of Trainers for Theater for Inclusion of Blind People" (March 2025). This training will equip you with the skills and methodologies necessary to facilitate inclusive theater sessions.

• Supporting the development of theater plays involving visually impaired adults from local communities, ensuring that performances are engaging and impactful. You will assist in organizing local performances and help prepare participants for their roles.

• Promoting theater plays within local communities and encouraging participation from the public. You will be involved in promoting the events and collecting feedback from both participants and spectators.

• Collaborating with other team members in developing materials and methods to enhance the theater experience for blind participants. You will help create a booklet of non-formal education methods for inclusive theater, which will be made available in both written and audio formats.

• Engaging in dissemination activities, including promoting the project and its results to a wider audience through social media, local partnerships, and other relevant platforms.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Experience or strong interest in working with people with disabilities, especially in a theater or performing arts context.

• Skills in facilitating or teaching theater-related activities.

• Ability to work as part of a diverse, international team.

• Open to learning new methods and techniques for inclusive education.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Application Process: Please submit a CV and a brief motivation letter detailing your experience and interest in inclusive theater and working with visually impaired individuals. Successful candidates will be selected to participate in the training and contribute to theater activities throughout the project duration. EMAIL: acpeliacy@gmail.com

Note: This call is for youth workers focused on theater activities, not project management. We encourage individuals passionate about creative arts and social inclusion to apply. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a meaningful international project!