Hertford Theatre is now Beam
Beam’s Listening Project is now the ‘doing project’! Since 2021 we have spent time working with and listening to children, young people and their teachers exploring how we can support their learning and wellbeing by developing their creative and cognitive abilities.
We witnessed some brilliant teachers at work, including those using Philosophy for Children (P4C). This approach has led us and our partners to pilot a new approach to teaching in local schools and youth groups with our arts partners at Tangled Feet and Trestle Theatre Company.
In a collaboration with SAPERE, the charity that delivers P4C throughout the UK, and through the generous funding of East Herts Council, the Royal Opera House and most recently the Arts Council of England, we can work with local schools in East Herts. These include:
Years 5 and 6 at Benington Primary
Years 8, 9, 10 at Sele School – sponsored by the Hertfordshire Film Office
A cohort of SEND students aged 16 to 19 at Herts Regional College in Ware
Led by Stuart Mullins (Lead Producer and Associate Artist), with Grace Lockrobin (Director @ Sapere) and drama practitioner Gordon Poad, who until recently was Regional Director of Education for eleven schools at One School Global in Europe, the five project will pilot Dramatic Enquiry.
Evaluated by the senior researcher at the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Education, Professor Karen Mpamhanga and Independent Evaluator, Rosie Stanbury, our aim is to inspire teachers and pupils to find the joy of learning together.
At a time when school absences are at an all time high, with a tsunami of children and young people seeking support with their mental health, P4C has proven to ‘benefit [s] self-esteem, self-confidence, active classroom engagement, enjoyment in learning, critical thinking, creativity, commitment, social-communication skills, social emotional attitudes and motivation to learn.’ 2021 Research Dr Nadia Siddiqui and Prof Stephen Gorard Durham University
The Listening Project will deliver a small pilot program of workshops to over 243 young people in schools and youth groups. As part of this we are developing the teaching skills of local artists such as disabled artist, Thom Jackson Wood.
The pilot projects are already under way. For example, at Sele School teachers will work across three year groups exploring the aspirations of the young people in respect to a career in the creative industries. In May they will host an inspiration session with choreographer Julia Cheng, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for her work on the West End and Broadway hit, Cabaret.
If you would like to know more about the pilot projects do contact our Lead Producer, Stuart Mullins – freelance@stuartmullins.co.uk
Current Partners:
Herts Local Enterprise Partnership - working with the Film and TV office
University of Hertfordshire, School of Education - working with Professor Karen Mpamhanga
Its Our Theatre
A nationwide scheme of youth engagement and talent development. Working in marginalised communities in areas of socio economic decline. The methodology, developed with key artists from the world of theatre and the urban arts, built a reputation for engaging young people aged 11+ in the arts: theatre, spoken word, street dance, spoken word, music production, graffiti art and entrepreneurship training.
Partners and investors included:
- The Royal Opera House
- Thurrock Borough Council
- Arts Council England
- Children in Need
Facts and Figures about It's Our Theatre:
- Engaged over 20,000 people in our work – most from areas of disadvantage or low cultural engagement (as defined by Arts Council England)
- Run 300+ workshops for over 6,500 young participants
- Accredited 150 young people with the nationally recognised Trinity College Arts Award
- Awarded 10 It’s Your Future Bursaries to support young people in leading creative community projects and developing their skills
- Delivered over 345 performances – many to new audiences
- Collaborated with over 80 professional artists, 40 venues, and 50 schools
- Partnered with local authorities, arts organisations, funders, schools, youth clubs and agencies concerned with young people’s welfare, in areas as diverse as Birmingham, Bedfordshire, Essex, Manchester, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bristol and Northamptonshire
- Managed individual grant awards of up to £183,757 and projects of up to £141,500
- Received core investment from Arts Council England of £731,710, and levered in significant additional contribution of £921,500 funding and substantial amounts of in kind support from our partners.
Cardboard Citizens: Act Now
Act Now is a programme of regular activity and skills based learning for young people aged 16 to 25 who have experienced homelessness or in danger of becoming homeless. A mix of regular accredited activity and annual projects, under Stuart's leadership, Cardboard Citizens took a dual approach: developing the self esteem and confidence of the members, whilst nurturing the young people as community activists. Funded by Comic Relief's #iwill fund, Act Now produced a touring Forum Theatre piece called No Box No Labels. This culminated in a performance at London's South Bank Centre.
Partners:
- Lyrix Organix
- Catch 22 'The Hive'
Investors:
- The Henry Smith Charity
- Société Générale Community Fund
- Comic Relief
- St. James's Place Foundation
- Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust
- Wessex Youth
- Prudential
- John Lyons Charity
Facts and Figures year 18/19:
- Numbers engaged through outreach and performances 300
- Members engaged in workshops 70
- Number of qualifications achieved 40
- Number of employment outcomes 6
- Number of volunteering outcomes 15
- Number entering education, employment and training 40
Herts Inclusive Theatre
For over three and half years I worked with Herts Inclusive Theatre. From 2019 I worked both online with adults with learning differences and disabilities; in the room I worked with children, young people and young adults. In 2021 I initiated three new groups in Hertford and Stevenage that continue to this day. The aim being to create the best art possible in collaboration with the participants whilst developing their communication skills, growing their self confidence and self esteem and creating a social and safe atmosphere. We make shows that are produced in the community.
As my final project I took great pride in creating our version of Alice in Wonderland with the children and young people who attend the regular Stevenage workshops at Lonsdale School.
Play Trailer