Some people have the incredible ability to predict what’s inside a wrapped present.
It’s a gift.
Welcome to the Theatre December Newsletter! As ever, do check out the Cultivate newsletter, as that is also a significant part of Take Art Theatre’s programme.
Improv Group
In response to the question asked at the last theatre-makers networking event, Ged Stephenson has been in touch to say that he’s recently started an Improv Group in Exeter. We know it’s not Somerset(!), but if you’d like to find out more then let us know and we’ll connect you with Ged. The group is not restricted to Devon-only folk.
In the meantime, we’ll still keep our ear to the group about any groups in Somerset.
Next Diversity Forum: Save the Date
Divergent Creativity
2 to 5pm, Wednesday 28th February 2024
The Engine Room, Bridgwater, TA6 3BL
Featuring digital, visual arts and theatre-based practice, this free event will explore the challenges, joys and out of the box thinking behind the creation process for neurodivergent/disabled artists.
Make a day of it! Explore the Discovery Project in the morning, have lunch in the Engine Room Café, then join the forum in the afternoon. More details to follow in the new year.
The Arts and Culture Diversity Forum Somerset champions diversity and equality in the arts in Somerset. Facilitated by Take Art, Somerset Art Works and Somerset Film, it represents a safe space for us all to talk honestly, share experiences and best practice, challenge perceptions, and provoke individual and collective action.
Word/Play
Earlier this year we had the pleasure of working with adults with learning disabilities and autism at the Hub, Yeovil, on a new version of Word/Play.
Word/Play is a social prescribing project for people who want their voice to be heard, to feel better about themselves, or to make a difference in their lives. It uses performance poetry to empower individuals, giving them the freedom and encouragement to tell their stories and be witnessed.
The project has been enjoyed by many groups in Somerset over the last ten years, including Chard WATCH CIC; Somerset Mind; Abri Housing Association; Ryalls Park Medical Centre and The Hub, Yeovil. Participants who have benefitted from it include people experiencing mental ill health, as well as adults with learning disabilities and autism.
The project was led by performance poet, Liv Torc, who also created a short film to document the story of the project, which you can watch below.
Artists’ Support Resources
As we mentioned in the last newsletter, we’ve joined forces with several other companies and organisations in Somerset to produce a guide for performing artists and freelance creatives in the county to know who they can go to for different types of support, for example: who can offer advice on funding applications or who might have rehearsal space available?
This resource is now available to download from the artist support on our website.
Next Newsletter
As you’ve seen above, we can occasionally promote other events and opportunities. So, if you have something that you’d like to be included in the next mail-out (which will cover February and March 24) please fill in his form with full details by 17 January 2023.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Mark and Ruth
Take Art Theatre team