For our summer term of ALICE Theatre Project Children's Theatre Classes 2021 we were privileged to work with guest practitioner Donna Simpson. She works with an organisation called The Flying Seagulls Project who do amazing work with disadvantaged communities all over the world to bring the joy of play and creativity to children everywhere, regardless of any perceived barrier.
Donna worked with our students to teach them improvisation, characterisation and clowning skills alongside sharing some of her experience of the worldwide refugee crisis. Our students then staged their own 'ALICE Happening' on 19th June in the gardens of Sandveien Neighbourhood Centre centred around the idea that 'Every Child Deserves The Right To Play'. Younger students in our White Rabbit and Mad Hatter companies improvised joyful clown performances while our Cheshire Cat company performed a Brecht inspired physical theatre piece. It was ephemeral, powerful and beautiful and we are so incredibly proud of all our students for their commitment and dedication to exploring this difficult topic this term and their bravery in sharing their improvisations with the world!
Donna has asked that we donate her fee for her support this term to the Flying Seagull Project so we have made a donation today in her name, and we would invite everyone to consider making a donation to this worthwhile work too. You can find out more about the Flying Seagull Project here:
And follow their amazing work on their Facebook Page here: