Youth Theatre

Overview

Extant’s new youth theatre project Forum 4us

Extant is setting up a new Young Adults Forum Theatre Project. Could this be for you?

• Are you aged between 15–30 and visually impaired?
• Are you interested in drama, want to develop new skills?
• Have you heard about Forum theatre?
• Would you like to be part of an interactive project and share your work with an invited audience who will be encouraged to join in?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Forum 4 Us – a few more details

What is Forum Theatre?

Forum Theatre is about giving a voice to those not usually given a voice. It aims to encourage interaction and discussion between audience and actors about issues relevant to the participants. Originating in Brazil, this form of theatre has been successfully used to empower people on the streets as well as in parliament.

What will you get as part of Forum 4us?

• The opportunity to receive training in Forum Theatre techniques  from a professional  director and workshop leader
• The opportunity to work with a professional writer who will help you to put your ideas into short scenes
• The opportunity to share your work in a showcase presentation to an invited audience who will be encouraged to join in
• The opportunity to meet with other young visually impaired adults, sharing the experience in a friendly atmosphere

You will need to be available:

For workshops on Saturdays April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, and Sunday May 13 and the afternoon of Monday May 14, 2012. (Plus one ‘Next Steps’ session, date to be agreed).

Workshops will take place at the Waterloo Action Centre. Final rehearsal and presentation will take place at The Half Moon Young People’s Theatre.

Extant will provide

• Access support workers to help where necessary
• Assistance with travel and refreshment costs

This project will be documented and broadcast on Aculco internet radio.  We also aim to develop a Forum Theatre team from this project that will enjoy further exciting opportunities once this project ends.

If you’d like to take part, please fill in the form below and return to Emily Andersen at the Extant office before Friday 30 March. 

By email: emily@extant.org.uk.
By post: Extant, The White House, Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW.

Download the application form.

If you require help completing the form or want to chat about the project, contact project manager Liz Porter on youthprojects@extant.org.uk or on mobile 07824 344828.

Extant is working with Aculco Radio and Royal London Society for the Blind to put this project together. This project has been funded by the British Council’s Youth in Action programme.

Staff working on Forum 4Us

Director – Tony McBride

Tony has been working as a theatre practitioner for 25 years.  He currently works as Director of Projects with Cardboard Citizens, for which one of his responsibilities within the company is to direct the ACT NOW youth theatre programme. Tony specialises in the techniques of Forum Theatre and other creative and participative ways of working. Alongside directing he has devised and led various training programmes for professionals and non-professionals, exploring the theatre-making process as a site for learning with a broad range of community groups in many and varied contexts. Tony also works as an audio describer, making theatre, exhibitions and festivals accessible to blind and visually impaired people.

Radio Writer – Liam O’Carroll

Liam is an actor, writer and stand-up comedian.  He has acted for various forum theatre companies including Theatre Active, Partners With You and Sminty Ltd.  He performed in Extant Theatre’s Eye Forum Eye in 2007 and most recently toured schools in north-east London with Facefront Theatre in their production Beat ‘Em Join ‘Em.

Comments from young participants

It's fun!

A lot more creative than school drama

We get to choose what we want to do

I love creating stuff

Hi I'm Nabeela. I'm 14 years old and go to St Martin's - a mainstream secondary school in London. My school doesn't have a drama club so I was really interested in getting involved in the Extant workshops that took place at the Lambeth Academy recently. I really like drama – it's great to think about getting into other people's shoes and to not be yourself for a while – it all makes life a bit more exciting!

What was great about the workshops was that everything was far more relaxed than at school – we were able to just have fun and improvise ideas and everyone there had some input into how and what we performed. Projects I've been involved in at school have always been about other people's ideas - but this time it was all about us!

I suppose I can sometimes be shy in class – but here I just decided to go for it. Drama is great for giving you more confidence and helping you to let your guard down. I think it was a good opportunity too to take part in drama sessions with other children with visual impairments. We were all aware of each other's conditions I suppose and could take care of each other. Sometimes you can feel a little alienated in class – it was good to feel really supported by everyone.

Other activities

If you are a young visually impaired person who would like to learn more about our youth programme, or if you are a visually impaired schools' or college coordinator who would like to work with Extant to set up a new project please contact us to discuss logistics, programme design and our workshop rates at info@extant.org.uk.