The idea
Being confident enough to enter a new group, speak and join in is difficult, and especially when you're young. We want to start a new youth theatre project which works in detail with each young person, finds out what they need and builds a creative, fun, inventive programme of exercises, games and performance to enable them to blossom, with particular care for neurodivergent young people. Our past experiences blew us away with what parents said about how a weekly session was transforming lives. We will create a new Youth Theatre for Thanet which welcomes young people and understands their diversity. Weekly sessions for 7-11yrs and 11 - 18yrs will work at the speed students need, and will develop confidence by building ways for them to connect with Looping the Loop's professional artists and programme of street theatre, workshops and new productions. They are not expected to feel forced to perform in a big production, but we'll help them feel comfortable with themselves and new people.
What we'll deliver
- Weekly sessions during term times, at just £1 for each young person
- Opportunities for members to join in with Looping the Loop's shows and events
- Young people showing more confidence and being better communicators
Why it's a great idea
A carefully thought-out programme of activity for young people, to help them engage with other young people and manage the often intimidating need to communicate with peers and teachers.
We will not push members into performing a big show where they feel they don't belong. We will create bespoke ideas for the groups that take into account the difference personalities and preferences of the group.
Our trainers are all professional theatre practitioners, people who work in the 'real world' of theatre and who have a special concern for helping other people enjoy this amazing world and how it can help you as a person to develop and enjoy life.
Steps to get it done
- Participants feel confident to make up and perform a short scene for friends , family and the public
- To recruit the first 5 people for each session, 7-11 and 11-18yrs
- To increase the younger group to 10 participants
- To organise our first 'end of term' activity for the participants
