YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMES WITH INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES
We are developing dynamic co-created youth engagement programmes in partnership with Gloucester Guildhall and the UK based international companies; SAY and The Place and Upswing, designed to empower young people in Gloucester. Through close collaboration with our youth team, these programmes ensure that the workshops, training, and performances from these internationally acclaimed companies resonate with the passions, aspirations, and experiences of local young people.
UPSWING
Upswing, a ground-breaking, multi-award-winning circus company. Using the human body as an expressive tool to entertain, inspire curiosity, share urgent ideas and ignite a desire to build connection. Upswing tells new stories in extraordinary ways – amplifying and celebrating the skills, creative talents and stories of diverse artists and communities.
“For me as a black artist and maker, one of the most pressing problems we have is to see beyond the surface. Circus creates a democratic space to explore the extraordinary qualities that bind not divide us.” Vicki Dela Amedume, Upswing’s Artistic Director.
SAY
SAY is an energetic dance company blending underground music with contemporary dance, breaking down barriers to artistic engagement. SAY are associate artists at The Place: Leading centre for dance performance, touring and creation. Creating energetic dance shows bringing together personal stories, fast-paced and slick dance routines to original music tracks from a dynamic range of talented artists.
These initiatives foster new ways of working, offering young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity alongside international artists, transforming Gloucester’s cultural landscape.