Blue Elephant Theatre Our education work

Education Department • Addresses key social problems affecting young people at risk of or experiencing exclusion The Blue Elephant Theatre Many of our projects (e.g. by providing worthwhile Education Department seeks to target young people from creative activities) engage, respond to, reflect and refugee, asylum and migrant promote the interests of the communities. • Changes group dynamics local community. rooted in aggression and The Blue Elephant is an division into a supportive We primarily work with young essential community resource atmosphere (e.g. through people, although the focus of (nurturing talent and academic positive, focused group work) our work is to tackle all forms ability as well as offering the of social exclusion in our local opportunity to explore choices • Motivates young people area by engaging individuals in life). (e.g. through providing a platform for achievement) through the arts. The Blue Elephant views: Our social inclusion agenda the arts as a valuable tool for • Allows participants to ensures that: we are committed reconnecting young people explore personal issues to ensuring access to the arts with mainstream education. through arts based activities for groups of individuals who • Gives young people a sense would not normally be able to of pride and achievement in access such activities for social, demonstrating newly acquired economic or other reasons. skills

www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/education Some of our projects past and present include Young People’s Theatre Our exciting “Young People’s Theatre” offers children in free drama classes on Saturdays for young people aged 7 to 18. Each term leads to a public performance on the stage of the Blue Elephant Theatre with the group taking part in the National Theatre’s Connections project, musical theatre workshops and regular theatre trips to the West End.

Wyndham and Comber Community Play In December 2011 the Community of got together to create the Blue Elephant Theatre’s

first ever community play! A cast “I enjoyed the fact that I over forty from aged 10 to 70 can show my kids that devised, created and designed you can do what you their very own play called “A want in lifel” Camberwell Carol”. The play featured church choirs, local Steven Ball residents, an elders choir and – Community Play youth group. participant An amazing achievement by the local community!

www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/education Some of our projects past and present include

Speak Out Our Speak Out project is now “I have enjoyed making in its 2nd fantastic year and “Speak Out is not just new friends and learning has been successfully touring talking at you. It helps new dance routines and Secondary Schools and you to try and get things I wish this was a real Community Centres in Southwark off your chest and makes school” with its team of professional you realize how other actors tackling subject matters people feel when they Karen Roberts effecting young people’s lives. are angry” – participant Past productions have focused [ Keyworth Primary ] on young people’s experiences Participant and emotions. Speak Out likes – Year 10 to give young people a platform [ Harris Academy for to explore issues such as, Girls ] confidence and dealing with anger Forum Theatre and the emotions that influence Forum Theatre is an interactive our every day actions and future performance method that engages possibilities. an audience to find a positive resolution to a play. The audience are supported by a facilitator who encourages them to intervene in chosen scenes of the play to influence a character’s choices and guide them in a new direction. In Forum Theatre there are no right or wrong answers, just the chance for the audience to work constructively to explore various possibilities and find a positive resolve. This engaging and creative process is an exciting way to work with groups to explore behaviour and empower them to make change.

Wyndham and Comber Dance and Drama Group! Above are photo’s from our On Tuesday nights meet a group current play “Father’s Joy” in made of young people from the Summer School! performance at St Michaels local Wyndham and Comber August 2010 saw The Blue and All Angels School. The estate who have been tackling Elephant Theatre provide it’s project also makes regular Anti Social Behaviour by engaging first ever Summer School for visits to Academy in positive activities to raise Southwark children. and Harris Academy aspirations. . Children aged 7 to 11 worked To see footage of Speak Out They have participated in the with West End performer Sherene please go to: Community Play, local Fun Days, Hanly as well as local Street www.vimeo.com/19390859 Staying Safe events as well as Dance artist Steven Ochan to or tackle everything from Street create their very own Michael www.vimeo.com/19654288 Dance to Shakespeare! Jackson episode of “Glee”!

www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/education “I would like the Blue “Marcus is quite shy, but Elephant to continue this has really boosted so that children in the his confidence and self community have a place esteem, especially as he “It is going so well and to go and learn about got a special prize. He we think it is the best we dance and drama.” enjoyed every aspect have ever seen” of Summer School. Janet Smith He really shone in the Patrick Hill – Wyndham and Comber showcase performance. – Assistant Head TRA He loved practising at Teacher home. [ Keyworth Primary ] Thank you for this “Inspired children’s, opportunity. We would creative writing and have been socially “It teaches young people imagination” poorer without it.” discipline, commitment and nurtures their talents” Suzanna George Mrs Dolores – Y4 Teacher Gooden-Husbands – Wyndham and [ John Ruskin School ] – participant’s parent Comber parent

The Blue Elephant Theatre needs continued support to be able to continue the work. If you feel you could help please get in contact with

Stuart Cox Education Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: 020 7701 0100

www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/education