For young people age 13+ the Young Writers’ Camp had a special introductory masterclass with the award-winning theatre company 20 Stories High.
In the afternoon masterclass the contemporary theatre company from Liverpool, came to Hadfield to show how to transform thoughts and ideas into writing that’s “gritty, jumping, melodic, mashed-up, messed-up, booming, funny and heart-felt…”
We contacted 20 Stories after a group from the Music Arts Pod last year went to see their show The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective at Contact Theatre. The group from Buxton Community School were blown away by the performance which was moving, funny, entertaining and full of relatable situations. The teachers from the school came away saying “every young person should see that show” as it touched on so many issues they come across in their pupils.
So nearly a year later, 12 young people from our Tall Tales, Music Arts Pod and Film Cuts Club project came together to find a new focus in writing. Keith Saha, one of the Artistic Directors at 20 Stories lead activities which included group poetry, visualisations and character development.
Then two of the young actors from the company performed a monologue called ‘Black’ from the 20 Stories High 2016 show ‘Headz’. The piece was just as moving as the Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective, despite being performed in the corner of Hadfield Youth Club with no lighting or staging. We were all completely transported into the young lives of the characters who meet when a young black family move into a close-knit white community in Liverpool.
And afterwards a question and answer session allowed the audience first to question the characters about what had happened to them, and then the actors about how they had co-developed the work with Keith and how they were able to ‘become’ their characters so effectively.
A big thankyou to Keith and everyone at 20 Stories High – and we would really like to develop more work with you in the future!
Breaking News! On 11th October 2017 we will be working in partnerships with Glossopdale Community College to host a public performance of their 2017 version of Headz, which will include 3 new monologues from the exquisitely drawn characters of 20 Stories High’s world! Watch this space for more info.
“Let’s do something like this again!” they said last year – so we did it all again!
Day 1 – The Ideas Day. Put together a quick group story, learn the key points of story structure and then work on your own on in small groups to write your own. In the afternoon, explore the woods around Longdendale Environmental Centre and collect sounds for Day 2.