Read all about the latest Creative Learning initiatives across TE.

CREATIVE LEARNING LONG WEEKEND AT CHURCHILL THEATRE BROMLEY

This year’s Creative Learning Long Weekend focussed on community engagement and included: a weeklong work experience programme for 21 young people, a large-scale Music Hub gig ‘BandFest’, a Theatre double-bill; 8 monologues working with a new partner company Yellow Coat Theatre, a Comedy Showcase, a workshop programme, and a Community Dance Festival.

The Creative Learning Long Weekend is a cornerstone in the theatre programme. The principal aim is to actively engage with local and wider communities both as participants and audiences, and to offer a platform for new shows and experiences from up-and-coming performers and companies.

This year the work experience programme was the biggest Creative Learning had ever taken on with 21 young people taking a very active role and the aim was to give them real opportunities for employment which the CL team achieved with 100% satisfaction from their evaluations. It was also a chance to bring together all colleagues in the theatre, both new and old, to find out new skills that exist in the team and give them opportunities to shine.

This was teamwork at its very best, and every single department went above and beyond to solve problems and make every show a success. Together the CL team have inspired and helped to create the new technicians, actors, writers, dancers, musicians, directors, designers and stage managers of the future and so thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Figures at a glance:

• Total of 12 individual shows
• Total of 9 workshops/other events
• Audience figures of 1,193
• Total Participants: 437
• Age range of participants: 4 – 95 years
• ‘First time on stage’ performances taking place:  306
• Number of original new shows developed through Creative Learning: 10
• Number of students taking part in a 1 work experience residency at the theatre: 21
• Net income achieved: £7,388

SCHOOL OF ROCK STAR VISITS SYP CAST

Last month, David Fynn – who played Dewey in the West End production of School of Rock – visited Palace Theatre Southend to meet the Summer Youth Project cast.

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David spend lots of time giving the cast hints and tips on their performances and workshopped a few scenes with them on stage.

David also held a dedicated one-to-one with Edward Flynn-Haddon (who is playing Dewey in the SYP production) helping him hone his characterisation and giving him some insider notes on the character.

CAEDMON COMPANY IN SOUTHEND

The Caedmon Company is a registered charity of professional artists, well-being practitioners and education workers who use creative writing, theatre and drama to help educate and improve the well-being and empowerment of socially disadvantaged children and young people, in particular, those who may be considered socially disadvantaged and/or vulnerable in educational and community settings.

The Caedmon Company were initially introduced to Creative Learning via Rosemary Squire and Nick Humby, and since then the team in Southend has been working in partnership with the company to deliver an arts-based learning programme for socially disadvantaged children in the area. The work supplements the Creative Learning programmes that Emma Wagstaff delivers as part of the venues’ wider CL output.

The Hero’s Journey is an innovative and aspirational arts-based learning programme that uses the art of storytelling and performance to meet the company’s objectives. Historically, the ‘hero’s journey’ is a universal template of stories used by many different cultures and faiths around the world. No matter who tells the story, it will always involve a hero who goes on a quest, is victorious in a decisive crisis – and comes home changed or transformed.