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16+
Date: | 30 Mar 2024 |
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Time: | 3:30pm |
Duration: | 90 mins |
Location: | The Lab |
Standard | Premium |
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Cre8 Theatre are pleased to return with their ‘Inspiring Access’ programme for members of the d/Deaf community in Northern Ireland.
Building on the success of the inaugural Deaf Arts Festival NI 2023 and their workshops with the deaf community in grand Opera House, Cre8 Theatre are delighted to offer their drama workshop specially programmed to engage and creatively open the minds of deaf people in NI.
Cre8 are delighted to connect with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, creating opportunity, access, and inclusion to arts activity for integrated audiences, as well as work towards placing deaf artists in central roles on the main stage.
Importantly this acting workshop has been developed in collaboration with d/Deaf artist Paula Clarke and features d/Deaf and hearing artists.
This 1.5hour interactive workshop is an introductory performing arts class for members of the d/Deaf community, aimed at those 16+ years interested in developing their confidence and their creative skills and offering an opportunity to engage with professional creatives.
The session will cover:
- Ensemble work
- Physical play
- Visual storytelling - Improvisation
Delivered by Paula Clarke and Charis McRoberts.
Cre8 Theatre Artistic Director, Sarah Lyle
“It’s been an amazing experience collaborating with the d/Deaf community, inspiring deaf people in Northern Ireland to believe that they can confidently be involved in and lead a creative process. It’s essential to continue to offer access, inclusion, and integration for the d/Deaf community, expanding opportunity, improving access and breaking down barriers.
Paula Clarke, artist, and performer
“This
project is such an important one. For deaf artists and performers, it can
be difficult to break through into mainstream arts as our language and culture
are different. Being given a lead role in this project, we can showcase not
only our wonderful language, culture, and stories but also how integrated
theatre can be done in a way that welcomes and includes everyone. And this
is our belief - everyone regardless of language, background and culture has a
place within the arts and a right to enjoy theatre fully. This workshop is
about sending a message to the deaf community to remind them that they too can
achieve their dreams and aim high. It's also a way of showing the arts world
the unique perspective and value that deaf artists can bring to any creative
process."
Building on the success of the inaugural Deaf Arts Festival NI, launched in MAC Theatre, Belfast May 2023, Cre8 Theatre have engaged partners once again and are delighted to launch the festival in its second year 2024, growing from 2 plays in 2023 to a jaw dropping 20-event festival in only its second year.
Cre8 Theatre is the producing arts organisation behind the Deaf Arts Festival NI, working hard growing networks within the d/Deaf community, discovering partners and building relationships. The festival's aim is to:
The festival enables d/Deaf and hearing artists to co-create, during the research, development, rehearsal, and performance schedule and place d/Deaf artists centre stage, prioritising d/Deaf audience experience.
Bringing together the d/Deaf community and raising awareness within the hearing community. Ultimately celebrating the beautiful, unique qualities inherent within d/Deaf identity and culture.
The festival is for deaf and hearing people to enjoy and has access and inclusion at its very core. Every event is suitable for both communities as there will be interpreters across all events over the entire festival weekend. Please see age group guidance per event.
The deaf community is a vibrant and active community and Cre8 are delighted to connect with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, creating opportunity, access, and inclusion to arts activity for integrated audiences, as well as placing deaf artists in central roles on main stages.
The Journey
The festival is developing rapidly, lives within the d/Deaf community living here and further afield, and is striving to create access and equality in the creation of artistic works. All events within the festival have been designed and delivered by deaf artists, building on the relationships established and nurtured over the last 3 years.
Cre8 Theatre
Cre8 produce a range of visually stunning, inclusive, community focused artistic events ranging from:
- stage shows
- digital educational/theme-based school tours
- community puppet shows
- creative workshops
- pantomimes
- creative activity focus on integration of d/Deaf community into the arts
During Deaf Awareness Week, May ‘23 Cre8 produced the inaugural Deaf Arts Festival NI, showcasing ‘Sleeping Beauty’, A family-friendly, inclusive musical theatre production created for both hearing and D/deaf audiences, featuring both deaf and hearing artists. Cre8 has also been working on school tours with Belfast City Council, large-scale puppet shows within Ards Puppet Festival, pantomimes in Braid Arts Centre and creative learning workshops with the d/Deaf community NI.
Funders
Thanks to those who have supported this work showcasing deaf artists: The MAC Theatre, Halifax Foundation NI, Arts Council NI, Belfast City Council, Sign Source learning, and Carbrothers NI.
Get Involved
We are excited about growing with the d/Deaf community in NI, Ireland and beyond. Please do get in touch with us, introducing yourself and maybe leaving us some feedback on the festival 2024.