Post written by: Erin Walcon
Here we go.
Thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, we are making a new piece of theatre.
The project is called Protest & Rebellion, and it will be exploring past histories of protest in Torbay and South Devon. We’re interested in how these patterns of protest can teach us things about our present situation.
Over the last year, more and more of the young people we work with have become activated, enraged, saddened, concerned, distressed, angry, vocal, and engaged in protest about climate justice.
It feels to me like we’re caught up in the midst of a single gasp of humanity as one – an awaking, or a final breath? I certainly have found my own breath catches as I look at my own children and think about the next four decades.
I am not a scientist, but I respect scientists, and I respect knowledge that is based on thoughtful exploration. I trust their predictions, and I am terrified by them. I am also a teacher, and a pedagogue, so I’m considering how I do this with integrity and hope, in the service of the young people I work with. I do not think of myself as an activist. I think this needs to change. I can no longer look into my children’s eyes and feel that what I am doing is enough. My hope is that this project is activating, but also that it gives a sense of the histories of humanity fighting back against impossible odds… that we find strength and inspiration in the stories and people that have come before us, here in this place.
Times are urgent.
This project will be delivered in a tight timeframe – from April to August, with a lingering window of excerpts, tendrils, and extensions/exchanges in the Autumn of 2020. The urgency of the situation seems to match the concentrated punch of the artistic window.
There will be lots of chances to get involved. There will be processions. There will be singing. There will be outrage and laughter and hope and despair and hope again.
Interested in taking part?
Age 11-14 – come to auditions on Saturday 27 April, 11.30-12.30 at St Mags Church Hall, Torquay. Email jade@doorsteparts.co.uk to book on.
Aged 14-20 – come to auditions on Monday 20 April, 7pm-9pm at the Arena Studio, Palace Theatre Paignton. Email erin@doorsteparts.co.uk to book on.
A different age? Don’t worry. There will be banner making and processing and shouting and listening opportunities for you too. We’re all in this together.
We’ll keep you posted.