National Youth Theatre and Stuart Low Trust: A new Partnership for Younger Adults
SLT are thrilled to be partnering with National Youth Theatre (NYT) on a new Arts project “Material World”. This project is specifically for young people aged 18-35, living with mental health issues or learning disabilities.
NYT shares SLT’s ethos, focusing on encouraging and supporting good mental health. This 6-week project, resulting in a showcase of creations on 28th June 2022, will allow opportunities. It will enable young, vulnerable adults to come together, to engage in the world of theatre and to get creative, alongside theatre professionals, in a theatre space.
“This is a crucial collaboration with our local partners at Stuart Low Trust to continue to grow our support for the mental health of young adults, who have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic. Connecting local young people with theatre industry professionals to create together using upcycled materials is exactly the kind of opportunity we redeveloped our Creative Production House to host. We look forward to sharing what they create together with the local community.”
– Paul Roseby OBE, CEO & Artistic Director of National Youth Theatre
“I found the project to be fun and healing and a great way to express myself through different artistic mediums and create something that I was really proud of in the end.”
– Material World Participant
Material World (MW): What, Where, How and Who?
Starting on 17th May 2022, a 6-week, free, early evening creative project, incorporating the fashions of the Jubilee years (1952, 1977, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2017) and key moments in theatre history, commemorates the Arts during the Queen’s Jubilee.
Participants will be upcycling theatre textiles to create new works, supported by theatre staff and SLT, at NYT’s beautiful, recently re-built, home in Islington.
Participants will have opportunities to explore pathways for progression e.g. wardrobe design and costume for stage, using NYT’s own onsite Wardrobe, Costume Store and Prop store to draw inspiration from.
The project will culminate in a Showcase at NYT’s community exhibition space, of participant’s creations.
“It was great to work in such a fantastic building and creating art from the decades of the Queen’s Jubilee, I thoroughly enjoyed working with colleagues and other people in this project.”
– Material World Participant
Supporting Young Vulnerable Adults
The project will support young adults aged 18-35 years, who are living with mental health issues or learning disabilities, who may be socially isolated, or who may experience socio-economic barriers to creative opportunities and skills pathways. During the pandemic, young adults were disproportionately affected and their mental wellbeing suffered.
MW will offer new learning experiences and opportunities, encourage curiosity and self-expression, broaden horizons, increase social connectedness, and improve mental wellbeing.
“MW is a new partnership between SLT and the National Youth Theatre. It celebrates the Platinum Jubilee by bringing together two vital parts of our community – young people and those with mental health issues – that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
NYT’s young people and staff will lead ‘upcycling workshops’ with SLT participants, taking inspiration from NYT”s extensive wardrobe collection and showcasing their work after the Jubilee holiday weekend. The aim is that everyone experiences improved wellbeing through engaging with theatrical costume and exploring their creativity.”
– SLT’s Development Manager
I want to take part. How do I book?
Places are limited and booking is required.
To book, please email info@slt.org.uk or call 020 7713 9304.
We recommend you attend all 6 sessions if you can. This is to ensure you have time and support in making your creation for the exhibition showcase.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
MW 2022 is kindly funded by The London Community Foundation Jubilee Fund (part of the Arts Council England Lottery Fund).
