This term, our brilliant Learning & Participation Team delivered a number of creative projects for young people, including a spectacular SIX the Musical showcase and workshops based on Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty.

Three of our Learning & Participation Artists: Jhanee, Megan and Annabel, sat down to tell us more about the projects…

Jhanee’s Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Workshops

During the Spring term, two secondary schools and a college from our Hippodrome Education Network (HEN) participated in our Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty project. I had the pleasure of spending the day at one of the schools and had a lovely time both participating in and observing workshops, where young people were taught choreography from the show. They were also given a task where they created their own choreography.

The feedback from both students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the workshops and the production, which they watched after their workshops. Participants said the workshop increased their understanding and appreciation for the show. It was lovely to see the confidence of the young people grow throughout the workshops and to see New Adventures dance practitioners Daisy and Alan draw the creativity out of them.

The skills that the young people gained from these workshops are now being used to inspire and inform the work they are creating for their BTEC’S, A levels and assessments.

Megan’s SIX the Musical Learning Packs

One month ago, SIX the Musical hit our stage with electric visuals, bold musical numbers and a powerful retelling of history.

Young people from our HEN schools came to see the show and raved about the musicals’ energetic and refreshing take on the lives of King Henry VIII’s six wives.

As part of our ‘SIX’ HEN package, I created an online learning guide alongside our Learning & Participation Coordinator Annabel, which included information and a variety of games and activities to help KS2 and KS3 students learn more about the untold stories of Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard, and Parr.

While the show takes the form of a fun and lively pop concert, it highlights the many ways in which these women have historically been marginalised and silenced. However, SIX the Musical provides these characters with a chance to tell their side of the story, offering a fresh perspective that urges audiences to recognise the contributions of powerful women such as these.

Annabel’s SIX the Musical Showcase

In March, some of our HEN schools that visited the Hippodrome to see SIX the Musical, also took part in our full project offer, which included an opportunity to perform in a in ‘SIX The Musical Showcase’ in our Patrick Studio.

The young people taking part worked with our Learning Artists to create pieces inspired by the show.  A group of talented Year 7s from Thorns Collegiate Academy performed a comedy, which focused on influential women throughout history, while Halesowen College offered a musical theatre style mash-up based around themes of love, complete with a show stopping girl band and emotional dance number. All of this was interluded by beautiful videos from our SEN school, The Pines, who brought colour, movement and laughs, while teaching the history of the six wivesAll performances were met with a huge applause from the audience of friends and family. It was a joy to watch and to see first-hand what a positive impact performing can have on students.

Gemma Sherratt, HEN Lead for Halesowen College, said: “Having all of these wonderful opportunities from the Hippodrome Education Network for the students is really making a difference to our courses. They have been truly inspiring for the learners.”