A Day I'll Never Forget

Aim

To raise funds to support my visit to Rammulotsi, South Africa and my mission to impact on young people's lives through Drama and the Arts

So a little bit about the project I am embarking upon...I made the bold decision at Christmas to leave my successful teaching career and embark upon a journey...I didn't know where I was going or what I would be doing, but I knew I needed to do something different, to change my life and the lives of others'.  So here I am six months later, having just turned 38…asking for your help, so in turn I can pay it forward and help others.

I have set up my theatre company called Urban Theatre Collective, based in Yorkshire.  I like to think we're a little bit different; we are not a musical theatre or stage school.  We create gritty, interesting, different theatre. We tell and share stories. We aim to impact! We give voices to the voiceless. Alongside this we work in school's delivering workshops, directing and providing theatre schools for young people in the school holidays.

But probably our biggest adventure is the one I am going to undertake in September, a three-month placement working with the charity Dramatic Need. Dramatic Need is a creative arts charity helping vulnerable children in South Africa and Rwanda to build hope and self-belief in the face of conflict, trauma and hardship. I will be based in South Africa, working with the young people there on a performance titled 'The Children's Monologues' We work with the young actors to write and perform a monologue with the title 'A Day I Will Never Forget'.  I can only imagine the content of these monologues, and the power within these young people's words. The next stage of the project is to have the monologues written up by a professional playwright and then...here's where it becomes even more interesting...The monologues are performed on November 13th simultaneously in three venues.  At the Piet Patsa Arts Centre in South Africa, Jonannesburg and an as yet to be announced third venue (But I can tell you it's worth waiting for this revelation!) 

So imagine, these stories, these voices being shared across the world - With me in Rammulotsi (South Africa) by the young people themselves and then by professional actors in the other two venues.

The Children’s Monologues were previously directed by Oscar-Award Winning Director Danny Boyle and performed by all-star casts (including Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Kaluuya to name but a few!) at The Royal Court and The Old Vic in London and The Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

As I mentioned, this year I wanted to change my life, find some direction and peace and I realise the way of achieving this is to give to others, offering support through the arts. The many times in my life I have felt lost, abandoned and fearful, I have turned to my love of theatre, drama and the arts, and it has never failed to give me comfort and guidance. I have seen on so many occasions how theatre changes lives and gives young people hope and self-belief and I believe wholeheartedly that this project and this charity can and does do this on another level. For me, at the moment teaching is not something that I see in my future, but to direct and shape theatre is a passion that is now nearly within my grasp, as well as helping the young people of Rammulotsi, I will continue to develop my own practice as a director and practitioner as well as continuing on my own journey of self discovery.

In addition to this I will be going into school's teaching drama, running workshops and working with the teacher's in the schools to develop their skills of teaching drama to young people.

Now the money bit... as you will have read, the project is run by the small charity Dramatic Need.  I am volunteering my time as co-director and I hope to make as big an impact as possible, but I need to raise funds!  I am aiming for £1200 to cover some transportation costs (which will enable me to take out much needed resources for the arts centre and the young people) and to buy performing arts based resources to be donated to the arts centre.  Any additional money raised will go towards me being able to take out more resources and also support the theatre company (Urban Theatre Collective) in maintaining links with Dramatic Need and the Piet Patsa on my return.  I am keen to keep this partnership going long.

In addition to this, I will be regularly updating my blog on the Urban Theatre Collective website and you will be able to join me on my journey to see how your money has helped make a difference, you will also be able to see my personal development as I cope without hair dye, with bushy eyebrows, basic sleeping arrangements and what I am sure will be a daily struggle with spiders, snakes (yes I've seen them in the arts centre!) and who knows what other living creatures I will come into contact with.

Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference; all contributors will be credited on my marketing articles and on social media.

This project successfully funded on 2nd August 2017