Idea: Community drama workshops with adults aged 55+!

 
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  • Created on: 22 Nov 2007
  • Idea status: Just a thought
  • Town: Barking, Greater London
 

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What it's all about

Three drama students, inspired by their fantasically active, imaginative yet bored grandparents, got together and decided to create GenGap Theatre Company. A company who want to challenge and entice the older adults of Newcastle. After talking to many of our potential participants, in and around the Newcastle area, we realised the need for something more challenging for the older generation, other than domininoes and backgammon!! We aimed to plan workshops with this particular age group that explored what THEY wanted to explore. It is about what they want to get out of it, whether thats just exciting, fast paced drama games to keep them on their toes, or to work towards a performance to showcase to friends and family. We've found an accessible venue in the city centre and to date, we have conducted four successful workshops, looking at storytelling, character development and we've had some interesting debates. Our future plans are to run three more workshops until Christmas and six more in the New Year, hopefully with a performance at Northumbria University in March.

What's needed to make it a reality


So far our main problem has been advertising! Although our seven partcipants have been brilliant, more would make the experience better for everyone. With limited funding, the most we can advertise is a few amateur posters. We also pay for the venue ourselves and due to lack of funding we're contemplating trying to find a free space, which isn't ideal as the venue we use is so central and accessible, which is vital to the community aspect of our project. Although the performance would be in March, we would like to be organised within the company by Christmas, so we can plan scripts, costumes, venue etc. during our university time off. Again, funding would really benefit the group to be able to put on a show to be proud of. Without money, it won't reach it's full potential, which would be a shame.

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  • Avatar Laura-Beth 13:12, 23 November 2007 This is a fantastic idea, there is so much focus on youth and student groups that sometimes elderly people get forgotten.
  • Avatar Abigail 1 Grace 19:15, 23 November 2007 Love it, and I know a couple of people who would be very interested in taking part. I find the elderly have a lot to say, that we can even learn from.
  • Avatar Samantha 15:09, 28 November 2007 Hiya Zoe,

    It's fantastic to hear about such a unique project taking place in the local area! You're tackling an issue that is often overlooked in the community by engaging with older people and working with them to provide an activity that they enjoy and benefit from! I bet your participants are already bursting with confidence and enthusiasm.

    As you know Northumbria Students Union is one of fifteen taking part in the Junction 49 project which means you may be eligible for up to £750 of funding to get your project up and running to its full potential! I'll be in touch via email to arrange for you to pop in and tell me a bit more about your project.

    I'm in the Student Activities Centre on Mondays and Tuesdays 9-2, and on Wednesday 11-4 and you're more than welcome to drop in during office hours!

    Best wishes,
    Samantha
  • Avatar Frankie Dent 09:06, 15 January 2008 This is a fantastic idea, young people complain that there is nothing for them to do but no one ever considers the older generations. Hope it works out!!
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