The Customs
House Selected To Take Part In National ‘Future Arts Centres’ Programme
The Customs House has been
selected to take part in a national project designed to show the impact of 25
years of National Lottery funding.
The venue is one of 40
nationally - and just four in the north east - taking part in the Future Arts
Centres Here and Now project, celebrating culture within communities.
They were each given a brief
to create an arts project that was “unexpected, or not what they usually do” but
would tell the story of the place and its people.
The Customs House approached
Michael Heatley, founder and artistic director of Newcastle-based Hit the
Ground Running Dance Theatre Company, to work with pupils from Epinay Business
and Enterprise School in Jarrow.
Izzy Finch, Learning and
Participation Officer at The Customs House, said: “Our project is called One of The
Lads. Michael is our lead artist on this 12-month project and he will be exploring
concepts of masculinity, mental health and men’s identities within the context
of the post-industrious north east of England. He has started working with 12 young men from
Epinay Business and Enterprise School exploring these themes through movement
and physical theatre.”
On Friday, March 20, the group will perform the piece they
have been working on at The Customs House, alongside a performance of Macho, a
professional dance piece created by Hit the Ground Running. Established in
2015, Hit the Ground Running create dance and physical theatre performances
that challenge and question the perceptions and notions of mental health in the
modern age. Its mission is to encourage and spark conversations surrounding
mental health and to share real life stories of bravery and courage. The company
celebrate a collaborative approach to devising theatre, working with local
communities and individuals who inspire the development of thought-provoking
performances for a wide variety of audiences both young and old.
Michael
said: “Having been a dance teacher for nearly two decades and my
main focus to encourage lads to dance, One of the Lads was an absolute must and
I’m thrilled my company Hit The Ground Running is to be part of it.
“I’ve been resident dance teacher at Epinay Business and
Enterprise School for 16 years now and have always thrived at the energy and
focus the students have always given in my lessons. Our main focus in
these workshops is to encourage confidence and well-being and engage the
students to express themselves through movement as individuals, but also
working as part of a team in a safe and fun environment.”
For updates on the project, visit https://here-and-now.org.uk/projects/hit-the-ground-running.
Tickets:
Hit the Ground Running is also bringing its latest
production, Suitcases, to The Customs House on Thursday 4th June 4,
at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced from £8, are available from the box office on (0191)
454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.