Participants from existing refugee and asylum seeker groups were invited to attend 10 weekly drama sessions, developing basic skills in group work, improvisation and character development. The project culminated in performances on the main stage at Live Theatre of From Home to Newcastle – a testimony piece where young people shared their stories and experiences of life growing up in places as diverse as Angola, Iran, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Tyneside. This final piece was also performed in Liverpool as part of the City of Culture 2008 celebrations.

This work was carried out in partnership with the North East Refugee Service, as well as other refugee and asylum seeker centres in the region and was made possible with funding from the Arts Council’s Young People’s Participatory Theatre Project fund.

Watch the short video above,  produced by the Arts Council, to find out more about this community project.

In 2009 a new batch of young people were brought together to explore what it is like to be a young woman living in the 21st century in Here Come the Girls.

Watch the short documentary, A Girl Is... that inspired this piece and view the Here Come The Girls production images.

A group of eight young people from inner city Newcastle took part in a series of weekly sessions with a drama worker from Live Theatre. The project culminated in two staged performances that explored the reality of what it’s like growing up on an inner city estate dealing with issues including music, relations between the sexes, alcohol consumption, teenage pregnancy, the Police and love. The performances took place at the Full Service Centre in Cowgate and were enjoyed by members of the local community.

“...I’m not shy anymore... We achieved something... No one was being daft... People came and watched us twice because it was that good...”.
Participants of Cushty Cowgate

"I've never seen the place with such a buzz … it’s been the best thing for young people that the place has ever seen”.
Staff member, Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre

To find out more about either of these projects or to discuss community opportunities in more detail email Administrator Sam Bell or call her on (0191) 269 3488.