Make Space: The Final Recipients

(Image above: Hiding Hats)

When we devised Make Space, we expected we would get in the region of 20 applications. We eventually received 56 and everyone at Catherine Wheels would like to thank each individual who applied, especially at this time when it can be a challenge to focus on creative ideas – so thank you.

It was a long and difficult process deciding on five projects but we are now delighted to announce that the following recipients will be part of Make Space. Over the next six months, the Catherine Wheels team will be providing support, resources and guidance, to help each “maker” explore what theatre for young people could look like in “the new normal”.

We can’t wait to start this adventure with the Make Space recipients, and we’ll be keeping you updated with the projects as they progress.

Hiding Hats – Alison Brown

“My idea is for a design led project based around the infant’s game of Peekaboo. I love this game. I played it constantly with my own kids and still enjoy a wee game of Peekaboo with a random child in their buggy on the bus or in a queue. I delight in how entertained a child can be by this play and how long it can hold their attention despite its repetitiveness. Peekaboo demonstrates an infant’s inability to understand object permanence, which is an important stage of cognitive development. It is the understanding that you don’t just disappear from the world when they no longer see you, and the reason that babies continue to be surprised when things come back from being out of sight. I think there’s a lot of fun to be had with this concept, and it resonates with me in a time we are all essentially hiding.”

[Untitled] – Ashley Smith and Simon Donaldson

“Our piece will be hopeful, fun and maybe even a little magical!

As we navigate through a period of collective uncertainty we want to highlight the need for community, for finding your way in a new and potentially scary world and discovering connections in forgotten places. It is about 2 people who deal with the world in very distinct ways but find companionship in their differences. It’s a story about friendship and survival.”

The Hunt (working title) – Ben Winger and Kerry Cleland

“During our Make Space time we’ll be developing an immersive adventure for families, based around a community ‘treasure-hunt’ with live performance and story at its heart. We’re moving the audience outdoors, getting them to rediscover local places, and providing stimulus that encourage family play. We’ll provide additional content online and offline and use audience responses to build the journey.”

The Climate Crisis Can’t Be Cancelled – Katrine Turner

“COVID 19 has caused events across the country to be cancelled and rescheduled including the COP 26 Climate Summit. Unfortunately, the climate crisis can’t be cancelled or postponed or rearranged for a more convenient time.The SECC isn’t hosting the climate summit anymore, so primary schools must host it instead! ‘The Climate Crisis Can’t Be Cancelled’ will research new ways of creating participatory performance in the school environment with costumes of found materials, interactive “happenings” and a climate summit in a playground.”

The Garden – Yvonne Buskie

“Since we can’t visit schools or travel very far from our home, my idea is we post an interactive theatre model box, complete with cast and props to the classroom. With the help of the artists, the students set the scene. We are in a garden, with a shed, vegetables and a hedgehog. An individual student sits with the box, listening to an audio/video script, which prompts them to, ‘act out’ the play with the model cast and props. In order to have the model box in their classroom the students have to win it! There would be an online quiz, run by the artists. When the class gets a question right they receive a piece of the show in the post; a prop, or a character, or a piece of set. Once all the pieces are collected they are ready to enact the show.”

We were delighted by the range of ideas from a huge variety of practitioners, many of whom were pleasingly new to us. However, we are aware that we could and should have had an even greater diversity of applications, and this lies squarely with us. We have decided that we will proactively seek out more diverse voices from under-represented groups who have an interest in working for children and young people and commit to providing opportunities to work with Catherine Wheels. We will share our updates when we can. We are working with individuals and organisations who can guide and direct us but if you have any thoughts or suggestions as to how best we can proceed, please get in touch with Tony Reekie tony@catherinewheels.co.uk