ACTING OUT

Acting Out was a new, performance-based project which worked with approximately 40 young people across Belfast and was delivered by WheelWorks in partnership with Time to Shine Drama.

Drama is a powerful methodology for exploring sensitive subjects, like prejudice, without embarrassment, blame or fear. Participants from different communities found commonalities while co-creating unique, performances which explored the multiplexity of youth identity well beyond the green and orange narrative. They bonded over shared experiences, hopes and wishes, the struggles of ‘fitting in’ and ‘being perfect,’ exam pressure, gender expectations, relationships and growing up. These young people developed skills in creative storytelling, performance, and production. Most importantly however they built new connections and friendships in the process.

AT A GLANCE

4 youth groups
5 ‘dream team’ facilitators
24 weeks of cross-community work
2 unique performances
37 young actors
80+ audience members

HOW WE STARTEd

Starting in September 2021 we worked with cross-community groups in both East and West Belfast using games and drama to explore ideas about identity and community.

We began with sessions which were all about building trust, confidence and generating ideas. Young people were asked to be honest about the good and bad things that came to mind when thinking about their community and life in general. A variety of physical games and word play activities were designed to capture their opinions and help the young people create stories and scenes relevant to their own experiences. 

REHEARSALS

Over the Christmas break, lead artist-facilitator Louise Mathews from Time to Shine Drama, took all the content, ideas and conversations from the initial development sessions and wrote them up into scripts. When workshops resumed in January 2022, we were on a 6 week countdown till showtime. Young people took ownership of the script, assigning roles and making them their own. Some young people also chose to take a supporting role helping with event management and prop making to bring the whole performance to life.

SHOWTIME!

On February 16th we had a full house in the Skainos Centre, Newtownards Road for the stage debut of ‘Hold Up’, devised and produced by our East Belfast group. Their performance gave voice to what matters to young people from schoolwork to youth clubs, dealing with parents and having time to spend with their friends. It also showed us how bright the future might look like if we could vote these young people into government up in Stormont.

On February 17th, we spent a full day at New Life City Church, Northumberland Street which cumulated in the stage debut of ‘Scenes from ‘Round Our Way’ devised and produced by our West Belfast group. This powerful show covered a wide range of relevant topics for young people, from social media and school pressures to sectarianism and sexism. It made us laugh and, at times, hit us right in the heart too.

WHAT WE LEARNT

We are beyond proud of all the young people who took part in this project and, most importantly, they enjoyed it too. At the end of 5 months' work 100% felt that the project had increased their confidence, that they had learnt new skills and that they were treated well. Taking part in drama activities helps develop important skills such as empathy, resilience, focus and teamwork – all of which are key components for fostering good relations.

We asked a few participants what they would say to someone who may have some reservations about signing up to a Good Relations programme?

“I would say just try it and see how you feel, I was nervous at the start, but I had a great experience and I think you would too.”
“It will be 100% worth it; you’ll meet some amazing people.”
‘Just do it, there is no difference, it’s just a stereotype!’”

Here’s what some of our Artists and FACILITATORS thought:

‘Our group have never been on a drama programme before and were extremely frightened and shy …. as the programme progressed, I am pleased to see the girls develop, find new confidence and skills and most importantly continue with their participation and look forward to every session with enthusiasm.’
Youth Leader, Archway Youth Club
‘I have been surprised and delighted with their engagement. [Some of our young people are] very quiet and reserved when meeting new people - this project has brought them out of their shells and from session one they have participated fully and spoke out in front of the group.’
Youth Leader, Falls Women’s Centre
‘One parent has said she hardly recognises her daughter she is so full of passion and excitement for her drama project, she had no idea she could be so outspoken and confident in a group.’
Artist / Facilitator
‘I thought it was fantastic! And that song, ‘Alternative Ulster’ reminded me of my own young days – it’s great that things have definitely changed since then, and young people are so much more open now!’
Audience member
This programme has had a direct impact on the young people who participated as they have developed in confidence and skills. The programme has also had an indirect impact on other members within our organisation as the participants of it have taken aspects they enjoyed and incorporated it into their activities they facilitate for younger members.
Youth Worker, BMAG

Here’s what some of our young people thought:

‘I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for next week.’
‘I think it was a great experience and the other group were really nice.’
‘I think this session was better than last week as we are all working together as a team.’
‘I liked how we represent the futures of both sides — Irish and British.’
‘This project has made me feel good about myself, I've made a lot of new friends and I'm a better actress now too!’
‘I just feel brill and I made lots of new friends’
‘I loved doing the program - it definitely gave me more confidence. I made new friends and I really enjoyed it’
‘I learned that coming together over something like this (a play) you can really bond over all the different things you put into it’

PARTICIPATING GROUPS 

The programme was supported by the Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund delivering under the ‘Together: Building a United Community’ Strategy, which is working to improve community relations across NI as we build on our commitment to move towards a more united and shared community.