A NEW theatre company aimed at giving youngsters the chance to ‘express themselves’ is set to be launched in Pershore.
Breakthru Youth Theatre Company was dreamed up by Sian Jenner and Auriol Burgess in a bid to bring the ‘creative and healing power’ of drama to the town.
Workshops will take place five days a week and are for children of all abilities, aged eight to 17. They will take place at Wulstan Hall on Priest Lane.
Sian, who studied a degree in drama at the University of Worcester, told The Observer how the group would be a platform for youngster’s to be heard, and not just about putting on productions.
“I’m passionate about the strengths of drama and how it helps people to communicate and find their own way in communication and expression.” she said.
“I was thinking about the young people of Pershore, those who have never had access to theatre or have never been able to express themselves or have a platform of being heard.
“It’s very much a theatre company I want to be for everyone, it’s not just about disability, it’s not just about able-bodies, it’s about communicating as a community and for young people to find an expressive form a feel part of something.”
The 53-year-old, who was diagnosed with dyslexia eight years ago, has lived in Pershore and Pinvin for the last ten years and will run the classes with Auriol, who has life-long experience in the industry.
They will include everything from life-size puppets, to creating masks, communication and production.
“I’ve been really wanting to do this for the last two and a half, three years.” Sian added. “Because of my own passion for drama and theatre, because it’s so vibrant and creative, I wanted to use that to work with young people.
“I went and did my BA at Worcester University and it’s completely changed and transformed my life because I had the help I needed, I found a way of expressing myself and I found out so much about drama I never knew before.
“For me, all of this has been magical.”
The workshops will run Monday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm and 10am to 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The initial cost is £70 for the week but concessions and discounts are available.
E-mail [email protected] for more information.
