Teenagers from The Northumberland Church of England Academy, Ashington have the Write Stuff
Six young writers aged 13 and 14 years old from The Northumberland Church of England Academy in Ashington, will have plays that they have written performed at Live Theatre on Friday 4 March.
The plays are part of Write Stuff, an eight week programme of practical drama and writing workshops between Live Theatre and The Northumberland Church of England Academy, which gives young teen voices a platform through theatre. This is the first time that Live Theatre has run its innovative play writing project with a school in Northumberland.
Twenty young people from the school were initially involved in the workshops that developed characters, setting, genre and improvisation. Six of those that pitched their idea were then chosen and then supported by professional dramaturgs over a weekend residency to produce their short plays that will be performed for the very first time as script-in-hand readings by professional actors in Live’s Studio Theatre.
The plays are Casting Out by Tamzin-Mae Butler, Flight Path by Emily Robson, The Trial by Ben Stoughton, I’ll always be with you by Lauren Ballentine, Mystery and Memories by Bethany James and The End by Jack Calender. The plays cover themes of loss and memory with post-apocalyptic survival, plane-crashing, fly fishing and alternative gaming dimensions.
Write Stuff features actors, many of whom are well known to theatre audiences in the north east, having starred in productions at Live Theatre and other theatres in the region: Dean Bone (Rendezvous & Nativities), Sam Neale (Present Tense & Nativities), Sam Bell (Cyrano De Bergerac, Northern Stage & former Youth Theatre member), Sarah Boulter (The Cinder Path at The Customs House), Judi Earl (Turning Pages), Chris Connell (The Pitman Painters, Wet House), Kylie Ford (Cyrano De Bergerac,Northern Stage), Zoe Hakin (Letters Home), Ruth Johnson (The Wind in the Willows, Northern Stage) and Michael Blair (Rendezvous).
Resident Drama Worker, Jonluke McKie at Live Theatre said:
“It’s been amazing to see the varied and insightful ideas of these young writers, grappling with really mature themes with brilliant humour and energy. Live Theatre is committed to nurturing new talent in the region and we’ve been delighted to work with The Northumberland Church of England Academy on such an in-depth project.”
Graeme Waterston, Head of Drama at Northumberland Church of England Academy, added:
“The Write Stuff project has provided students with a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have witnessed first-hand the development in student confidence and creativity. An altogether inspirational experience for all involved”.
Write Stuff, is at Live Theatre, Newcastle on Friday 4 March at 7.30pm. Tickets which cost £8 and £6 concessions are available from Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online at www.live.org.uk