Virtual Burns Night Poetry

FAQs

Please describe your Virtual Show

Intro - Our host will introduce themselves, layout how the workshop will run, and provide some background on Burns.

Reading - The event kicks off with a quick reading of Seamus Heaney’s ‘A Birl for Burns.’

Translations - Participants will try their hand at some Scots phrases and see who can translate them correctly.

Scots Tongue Twisters - This will be a blast, especially after a dram! It’s also a great warm-up for sharing work later on.

Mad Libs - Everyone gets a classic Burns poem template with some missing words and phrases. They’ll fill in the blanks, encouraged by our host to have fun and maybe try some Scots words.

Update - After some fun and Scots practice, it’s time to write a poem. Participants will get a stanza of Burns poetry to translate and update, with advice and examples on how to do this. Guests are invited to share their work.

Given that adults might be drinking during the workshop, flexibility is key. We want every workshop to meet the needs of the participants. Improvisation and adaptability are essential skills for all facilitators, and our experience has shown it’s important to respond to participants' needs rather than sticking to a rigid plan.

Can your show be customized for clients? If yes, how, please give as much detail as possible. What is the lead time to create the customization?

Our workshop hosts are always happy to discuss the specifics of any group to best tailor the workshop. They need at least one week from confirmation to delivery to customize the plan. The workshop can also include whisky or notebook kits sent to guests' homes.

Do you offer both pre-recorded and live-streamed shows? If so, how long do you require to create a pre-recorded video for a client?

These workshops work best as live, interactive events.

Where is your show set up?

Given current restrictions, we are working from our home studio.

How many cameras do you use in your virtual show and what is the quality?

The workshop is streamed using a single high-quality camera and microphone.

What levels of interaction are there with live audiences? How does this work?

Our workshops rely on participant interaction. Our experienced facilitator uses Zoom to communicate with participants, share materials or examples, and manage the conversation flow with the mute function.

What platform do you prefer to use for your Virtual Show?

We prefer Zoom but are also happy to use Google Meet or Discord.

Do you have a technician that helps with the setup of your virtual show?

Yes.

How long is your virtual show?

The workshop is designed to take roughly one hour, with some extra time for drinks.

Is there a minimum and maximum number of attendees that can take part in the show?

No

Are you happy to have a technical call or rehearsal session with the client in advance of the show? The technical call must be in the show location with the same connection.

Yes

Are there any platforms that are not compatible with your act or that you prefer not to work on?

No