Arc news: July 2008
Arc's summer summary
This month Arc Theatre has presented a record number of exciting and diverse projects in and around its home in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
From construction site safety for young people, to developing resident-led self-regulation for Housing Associations, here's some of the work we have been presenting so far this month:
Safe construction site safety programme
Touring primary and secondary audiences in five London Boroughs including Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney, Arc has begun presenting brand new interactive performances commissioned in preparation for London 2012. Written and directed by Associate Director Jim Dunk, Safe warns young people of the dangers of playing in construction sites.
To find out more, read the 'Safety & Health Practitioner' official magazine article. To read an online blog about the project, visit the link: children-learn-about-staying-safe-near-building-sites.
For more information contact Arc's General Manager Nita Bocking.
Stepping Stones for the Children's Fund
In Barking & Dagenham primary schools we have been continuing our Stepping Stones programme, funded by the Children's Fund.
Started in 2002, Stepping Stones is a long-term project using interactive storytelling to develop interaction with peers. Exploring teamwork and creativity, Stepping Stones builds confidence, raises self-esteem and develops young imaginations.
Primary children taking part in the Stepping Stones programme. For more information, contact Assistant Artistic Director Andy Rogers
Exploring anti-social behaviour with Stephen K Patterson's Guide to a Perfect Life
Commissioned by Havering Community Safety Partnership, Stephen K Patterson's Guide to a Perfect Life has been touring seventeen London Borough of Havering secondary schools with a brand new interactive performance programme.
Using humour to engage young people in exploring the causes of Anti-Social Behaviour and its effects on the community, Stephen K Patterson is written by Clifford Oliver and directed by Andy Rogers and follows the recent Havering commissioned performance programme Falling Over looking at Crime and Alcohol.
Stephen K Patterson's Guide to a Perfect Life in action in schools. For more information contact Communications Manager Theresa Snooks
Safer travelling for Essex County Council
For Essex County Council, we have been continuing our series of transport safety initiatives with a new tour of Getting On for secondary audiences. Getting On works by focusing on the consequences of behaving irresponsibly on school and public transport and offering clear rules for safer travelling.
Written by Clifford Oliver and directed by Andy Rogers, Getting On is part of a series that includes This Bus Terminates Here!, Busted (No Ticket, No Ride), Pushed and Onward Journey.
Getting On performed by Ian Saville and Natalie Smith. For more information contact Education Director Natalie Smith
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' comes to The Malthouse
Barking & Dagenham Youth Theatre was delighted to restage its highly successful production of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy at Arc Theatre's studios at The Malthouse this month, as part of its annual Jack Petchey Awards celebration event.
Directed by Andy Rogers and Natalie Smith, the performance was an atmospheric mix of lighting, costume, live theatre and strawberries for a specially-invited audience of 60, including Jack Petchey Foundation Grants Officer Chris Bullock.
Awards were presented to the latest Silver Achievement winners, and the event marked the final meeting of Barking & Dagenham Youth Theatre for the summer. The group restarts on 30 September with rehearsals for a brand new production for 2009! To find out more, visit our Youth Theatre page.
'Leading the Way' with Arc Theatre
As part of our commitment to assisting Housing Associations with their Community Cohesion programme, Arc's latest sit-com style Forum theatre programme has been developed to accompany 'Leading the Way' in introducing resident-led self-regulation for Housing Association tenants.
The Russells Lead the Way is the latest in our series Meet The Russells, written by Clifford Oliver. Using live, interactive theatre, it cuts through the dry policy and
encourages people to involve themselves in working closely with landlords on developing the ‘Leading the Way' agenda.
“Arc created a dynamic interactive theatre piece for our first tenants conference. It was funny, to the point, and the audience thought it was brilliant. It is an excellent way to actively engage people and get them talking about how they can become more involved in the planning and delivery of our services. I highly recommend Arc and this lively method of encouraging involvement.”
Lorna Blackmore - Assistant Director, Corporate Services, Broadland Housing Association
For more information, contact Arc Theatre's Artistic Director Carole Pluckrose.
Summer Theatre School
Don't forget, bookings are now open for Arc's Summer Theatre School 2008! With two weeks of fun learning drama at The Malthouse Studios starting 28 July - you can even book online on our Holiday Workshop page.
