What a joy this day is! On Saturday 11 Feb 2023, 81 young people from different secondary schools and FE programmes from across Devon gathered at the University of Exeter and the Exeter Northcott Theatre. The Devising Discovery programme provides grant-funded outreach workshops to students in Year 8, 9, 10, 11 and Sixth Form, to support and enrich their devising component of study. Led by an incredible team of professional Teaching Artists, the outreach is made possible via support from students at the University of Exeter Applied Drama programme, at both MA and undergraduate levels.
The Devising Discovery Platform is made possible via funding from the University of Exeter Widening Participation programme and Arts Council England, with support from University of Exeter Applied Drama course and the staff at the Exeter Northcott Theatre.
This year, we worked with 345 students across 12 school sites & classes, providing a total of 22 workshops and one touring theatre show. From this outreach phase, students then get the opportunity to bring a short devised performance to the final platform day. This year, we had 81 young people attend the final platform. The performance work they created was dynamic, innovative, sometimes eerie, sometimes silly, comedic, dark, compelling, sensational. We watched the final platform with real astonishment at their inventiveness and courage. What an incredible feat.
We’re already looking forward to 2024! Any schools interested in taking part in Jan/Feb 2024, please email erin@doorsteparts.co.uk to express interest.
