High Peak Community Arts

Youth and Community Arts for the High Peak

Collecting from the Young Writers’ Camp 2017

Day 1 storiesThe elves are at work on the Young Writers’ Camp Collection 2017, with seven stories and dozens of characters jostling for position behind the scenes.

But here is a sneak peak from day 3, when we explored the hills of Crowden with our Peak Park Rangers Jo and Alex – finishing up with this quirky Compass Poem.  Enjoy!

 

Tall Tales – The Music Sessions!

Music Sessions Poster Tall Tales starts again with 8 music sessions from this Monday 15th May (Fairfield) and Thursday 18th July (Gamesley) through to 17th / 20th July (with 2 weeks off at half term).

Come down to learn some instrumental or vocal skills, write some music, use some music tech – have fun, make friends and all the rest!

Grand Unveiling of ‘Hidden Worlds’

All welcome to the Celebration and Unveiling of  Project eARTh’s  ‘Hidden Worlds’ – a silk painting and tie dye project to create a wall hanging for the URC church in Buxton.

Participants worked with artist Lesley Ann Withers to produce this artwork, based on the idea of looking through a microscope at organic forms.

Join us to see the wall hangings, and photos from the project.

Tea, coffee and cake. FREE event. 

1pm – 3pm Monday 15th May at URC Church, Hardwick Square East, Buxton Sk17 6PT

20 Stories High kick off the Young Writers’ Camp

For young people age 13+ the Young Writers’ Camp had a special introductory masterclass with the award-winning theatre company 20 Stories High.

In the afternoon masterclass the contemporary theatre company from Liverpool, came to Hadfield to show how to transform thoughts and ideas into writing that’s “gritty, jumping, melodic, mashed-up, messed-up, booming, funny and heart-felt…”

We contacted 20 Stories after a group from the Music Arts Pod last year went to see their show The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective at Contact Theatre.  The group from Buxton Community School were blown away by the performance which was moving, funny, entertaining and full of relatable situations.  The teachers from the school came away saying “every young person should see that show” as it touched on so many issues they come across in their pupils.

So nearly a year later, 12 young people from our Tall Tales, Music Arts Pod and Film Cuts Club project came together to find a new focus in writing.  Keith Saha, one of the Artistic Directors at 20 Stories lead activities which included group poetry, visualisations and character development.

Then two of the young actors from the company performed a monologue called ‘Black’ from the 20 Stories High 2016 show ‘Headz’.  The piece was just as moving as the Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective, despite being performed in the corner of Hadfield Youth Club with no lighting or staging.  We were all completely transported into the young lives of the characters who meet when a young black family move into a close-knit white community in Liverpool. 

And afterwards a question and answer session allowed the audience first to question the characters about what had happened to them, and then the actors about how they had co-developed the work with Keith and how they were able to ‘become’ their characters so effectively.

A big thankyou to Keith and everyone at 20 Stories High – and we would really like to develop more work with you in the future!

Breaking News!  On 11th October 2017 we will be working in partnerships with Glossopdale Community College to host a public performance of their 2017 version of Headz, which will include 3 new monologues from the exquisitely drawn characters of 20 Stories High’s world!  Watch this space for more info.

Human pyramids with Upswing Theatre!

A big thankyou to Upswing Theatre, who hosted us as part of their Research and Development for their new show – Here we are building ourselves into a human pyramid!!


Gave us lots of ideas for our show in August – let’s hope the funds come in to add some circus! WATCH THIS SPACE for info on VOTING at Tesco from May!

Young Writers’ Camp 2017!

“Let’s do something like this again!” they said last year – so we did it all again!

Welcome to all the information for the Young Writers’ Camp 2017.  

Places on the full camp were FREE – but limited, for more info you can contact Sophie on:
01663 744516
sophie@highpeakarts.org

The main camp was for age 8+ and happened over four days in the Easter Holidays.

18th – 21st April – at Longdendale Environmental Centre in Tintwistle.

Each day had a different theme, with a music & sound day, and trips out into the surroundings at Longdendale and Crowden to collect inspiration and set off your imagination.

Day 1 – The Ideas Day.  Put together a quick group story, learn the key points of story structure and then work on your own on in small groups to write your own.  In the afternoon, explore the woods around Longdendale Environmental Centre and collect sounds for Day 2.

Day 2 – The Music / Sound Day.  Use yesterday’s sounds to create sonic landscapes for the location, or for your stories; or carry on writing inspired by the sound activities.  Bring an instrument if you want.

Day 3 – Habitats Day.  Find out more about Longdendale and Crowden from the Peak Park Rangers and develop your story’s characters.  Decide what needs to go into the final Collection.

Day 4 – Completion Day.  Make your finishing touches and record final versions in writing, audio recording or film.  The results of the week will make up the Young Writers’ Camp Collection 2017, which anyone is free to use, develop and bring to life in projects in the future.

Click here to look at the Collection created in the Young Writers’ Camp 2016: Mind Your Head.

The main camp is for young people age 8+ (see below), but for young people age 13+ we had a special introductory masterclass with the award-winning theatre company 20 Stories High. 

In the afternoon masterclass the award-winning, contemporary theatre company from Liverpool, came to Hadfield to show how to transform your thoughts and ideas into writing that’s “gritty, jumping, melodic, mashed-up, messed-up, booming, funny and heart-felt…”