Birmingham Hippodrome’s Young Community Drop-In Sessions have been developed by our Young Advocates.
Suitable for anyone aged 14+, these sessions have been designed to be creative outlets for young people and offer spaces to relax, connect with others and feel welcome.
Each drop-in session invites some of the best people currently working in the creative industries to host workshops looking at a range of art forms, skills and careers.
Join us on Monday 25 March between 1-6pm!
We’ll be exploring Communities and Creativity, with workshops on making theatre accessible, careers in the theatre, and drama. If you have a particular interest in learning about access and inclusion, this is the drop in for you!
From 1pm:
Making the theatre accessible with Dan Edge & Charlotte Boyer.
Dan Edge is an Actor, Model, Pro Wrestler and Circus Aerial Performer which has led to an extensive career. He has performed in various theatre productions, flown in the air at the London 2012 Paralympic Games’ Opening Ceremony, sung badly (on-purpose) in a television commercial and won wrestling championship belts in the US and UK. Dan is also an award-winning Disability and Access Consultant, and Access Coordinator, working across the arts, broadcast, entertainment, media and business industries with clients including #WeThe15, Sesame Street, Sony, Netflix, the BFI and BAFTA.
Charlotte Boyer is Access Coordinator at Birmingham Hippodrome. Charlotte moved to Birmingham in 2014 to study Drama & Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham. Starting her career delivering Musical Theatre workshops in SEN schools, Charlotte developed a passion for supporting people with disabilities and has now taken on the access offer at Birmingham Hippodrome. She is playing an integral part in Hippodrome Unlocked, a core element of our 5 year strategy.
From 2pm:
Exploring Access with Hazel Sealeaf
Hazel is a writer, researcher & producer from Birmingham. As an artist she’s produced work that’s been featured at Shout Festival, TedxBrum and at poetry stages up and down the country. As a community organiser interested in disability, queerness & abolition, she’s produced the Disability Justice Labs with MAIA, advocated and designed for Easy Read and Learning Disability inclusion with Open Theatre, and held spaces for queer memory, grief & conflict through Softly Spoken. She likes spreadsheets, listening & origami.
From 3.30pm:
Careers talk with Bethany Steventon-Crinks
Beth Steventon-Crinks is a performance maker and curator with a specialisation in creative access and well-being. With a background in theatre, Beth’s work always takes an interdisciplinary approach. They have collaborated with a range of organisations and artists, exploring disability justice and change-making on a regional and international level: having previously worked at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre as the Agent for Change as part of Ramps on the Moon.
With a focus on artist development & portfolio careers, Beth received Arts Council England development funding to explore sustainable artistic practices as a disabled artist and sits on the advisory group of All In, the ACE access scheme. They are interested in research around artistic practice, creative industries and critical theory and share this passion through lecturing at a Birmingham drama school and are undertaking a master’s in artistic research practice at Central St Martins, London.
From 5pm:
Drama Workshop with Adaya Henry from Women & Theatre.
Women & Theatre is an award-winning Birmingham based theatre company and charity. We make deep work about things that matter, reflecting the language and lives of ordinary people. Working across the arts, health, education and community sectors, we have been pioneering new ways of addressing contemporary issues through performance since 1983.
There will be craft activities from 2pm and snacks throughout the day, and space available to relax between workshops. As always our team will be on hand to support you should you need it. This drop in will be suitable for young people aged 14+.
If you have any questions or access requirements please contact us below.