ADA Hosts Communications Seminar

The Association of Drama Adjudicators recently hosted a very successful communications seminar delivered by UK based specialist, Tony Coleman. The seminar was part of our CPPD programme to continuously up skill our members.
Tony is a fully qualified leader in coaching strategies for public speaking and presentation skills. His clients include chief executives, sales teams, politicians and Local Government Association. Tony also has extensive theatre experience. He worked as a professional actor and producer in Ireland, England and the USA. He has appeared at The Gate Theatre, Andrew’s Lane Theatre, Irish Arts Centre, New York; Irish Repertory Theatre, New York; amongst others, and on film and TV.
As a young man he had direct experience of the amateur circuit in Ireland and is keenly aware of what is expected of the adjudicator in both the public and private adjudication. Tony examined the role of the adjudicator and offered strategies on how to best present feed back. The use of body language, the tone of voice and finally the language (words) that we use all have to be carefully considered, in order to deliver an effective adjudication. Interestingly, 93% of our communication is delivered through our body language and tone of voice. We were encouraged to reflect on the internal states that an adjudicator experiences and to consider how people receive information in different ways. We were reminded of the need to have total respect for those we give criticism to.
The session allowed for frank and open views on our approaches to adjudication. As professionals who work independently from each other, it was very useful to hear how colleagues dealt with their work. The seminar was most beneficial, stimulating and refreshing. We were delighted to have as our guests, Joanne Keane, Secretary of DLI and Sean Corcoran, President of ADCI and Paddy Farrelly, Rep for the Ulster council of ADCI, who all fully contributed to the success of the day.
Geoff O’Keeffe
P.R.O.