PR 2011

THEATRE SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE

The thrill of the theatre including set and light design, scripting, recording sound and performance skills are on the cards for a group of young people in care in Hampshire who are part of a unique theatre project currently underway.

Organised in partnership by the County Council's Social Services and Recreation and Heritage departments, and Brighton based regional theatre company Theatre and Beyond, ten young people in the care of the County Council are taking part in the exciting "Beyond Care Project" which has been funded by grants from the Local Network Fund and the County Council's Positive Action Initiative (Race) Scheme.

The young people, aged 15-17 years and who are in foster care or live in children's homes throughout Hampshire are learning a range of theatre skills through working with a professional theatre company. These include producing ideas for an original script, set building, lighting design and building, sound effects design, and performance. As an introduction to what is involved in making a piece of live theatre, they have also been to see a play at the National Theatre in London.

Professionals from Theatre and Beyond have been running workshops with the young people, which will culminate in a performance of a new short play which they have jointly written, "Lost and Found", at the Tower Arts Centre in Winchester on 23 April before an invited audience.

The aims of the project are to offer new experiences and skills to the young people, who are very often disadvantaged in accessing such opportunities and which are transferable to the world of work, as well as making theatre more user-friendly to them.

Charlene, from Winchester, who is taking part said: "I'm really enjoying the Project and hope there will be more - it's cool".

Commenting, County Council children's participation officer Morag Currie said: "This theatre project offers young people in our care an exciting opportunity to produce their own professional theatre performance from scratch. Not only does it give them a chance to develop new skills, but it also helps break down the barriers to the sometimes elite world of theatre.

"In addition the project reflects very well many of the aspirations of the Children Act in a fun and creative way and which will deliver the young people very real returns. We are always keen to offer young people in our care the opportunities which other young people get and I know that those taking part are thoroughly enjoying being part of the Beyond Care Project."

ENDS

Notes for Editors
If you would like to talk to or photograph those taking part in the Project, please contact the press officer below.
The Local Network Fund is a Lottery funded grant to promote activities for young people in the community.
Attached picture shows Jason, one of the young people taking part in Hampshire County Council's Beyond Care Theatre Project, working at the sound mixing desk..

For further information please contact: Tracy Buckland on 01962 847363
tracy.buckland@hants.gov.uk

20/04/2005