Martin Figura is an experienced tutor of poetry, performance and photography. He has an MA (with Distinction) in Writing the Visual and has taught at: MA, BA and Diploma Level and also run workshops for mental health and other groups. He’s worked with all key stages, young offenders and Pupil Referral Units. He’s run Performing Your Work workshops that enable writers of all types to make the most of their work on the stage. He is one of the writers piloting the Well-Versed Project, initiated by Sir Andrew Motion to ensure children get the best poetry education possible. He particularly enjoys working with junior school pupils.
Martin’s own experience explored in Whistle enable him to explore difficult personal themes with participants. He’s run workshops for numerous clients, including UEA, London Roundhouse, The Poetry Society, Nationwide, Creative Partnership and Norfolk County Council.
He can use his background and experience as a photographer, poet and performer to offer a range of options in delivering project aims. He is sensitive to curriculum requirements, the ongoing work of schools and/or clients and the development of participants.
Workshop Options
Below are available workshops that can be adapted to a particular groups needs. They can be delivered singly or in combinations as part of a programme, or as a programme in their own right. Bespoke workshops can also be delivered.
Performing your Poetry
Tried and tested workshop that gives inexperienced readers the confidence and skills to deliver their work.
Page to Stage
How to create a spoken word show based on your writing.
Writing from the Visual
Use photographs or other material to stimulate your writing.
Writing your Story
How to go beyond the ego and engage the reader with your story.
Schools Workshop
A series of adaptable sessions with Well-Versed partner Hannah Walker, that engage and relate poetry to pupils’ own lives in a way that encourages and extends their creativity and understanding of poetry.
“Martin’s sessions with our students have been refreshing, inspiring and deeply valued by all. It has been a joy to see students with very different abilities find a creative voice whether through poetry, photography or both. Martin gives you something new- something that works.”
Nigel Youngman, Acting Head, Alderman Peel High School
“After working with you the children asked if they could write poetry during choosing time and were going round to each other’s houses to write poems. They went from indifferent to inspired!“
Nikki Davies, Avenues Junior School And from a pupil: I really liked the poets Hannah and Martin. They were really nice. And Martin was funny. And now I know lots about poems and I really really really really really enjoyed it. It was really fun!
“They found the most useful sessions were those from a writer’s perspective and more interactive, they loved Sarah Bower’s and Martin Figura’s sessions.”
Amanda Addison, City College