Drama is having a big IMPACT on people from Middlesbrough
A programme of fun and educational drama workshops started in January 2009 for adults with learning difficulties. Workshop sessions are run by drama therapist Cathie Sprague at Whiney Banks Community Centre where participants learn about and practice professional acting techniques. The Impact Drama Project is a partnership between Middlesbrough Council’s Community Inclusion Service, Cumberland Resource Centre and Tees Valley Arts.
The aim of the project is to raise the voice of the participants and to explore, help co-ordinate and relay messages to other people on issues that are relevant and important to them. They have developed ideas and sketches for dramatic performances from their own experiences, which include health and hospitals/GPs, bullying, their rights and assertiveness. In April the project welcomed the arrival of Michael Edwards, a creative writer who has helped to support, refine and edit the material the groups have produced and create scripts.
Cathie Sprague said “I have been working with the groups since January and they have really improved and developed their performing skills, as well as being able to explore and relay messages that are important to them.
Middlesbrough Council commented “Cathie has built a fantastic rapport with the group, and has introduced a range of different forms of drama and singing to give the group an insight in to what it is like to be professional actors.”
The groups will be performing some of their material at the Middlesbrough Partnership board on the 16th June, and also using sketches based on attending GP/ hospital appointments to assist in GP training.