New Storytelling Drama Camps come to Telford
Professional Community Theatre Company, Moonstruck Astronaut, has been awarded an Arts Council England National Lottery project grant to deliver a series of vibrant, co-creative drama workshops in Telford Town Centre during the school summer holidays, followed by Saturday and after-school sessions in September.
This is the first time professional theatre-making will be made accessible to children and young people in Telford Town Centre. The aspiration of the cross-arts project, called ‘Telford Tall Tales’, is to help put the ‘elf’ back into Telford. ‘Telford Tall Tales’ is to excitingly weave storytelling with puppetry, performance, dance and drama nurturing local children’s co-creative skills and enabling local artists to work together for the first time.
Starting on August 4th, the five-day Storytelling Week will boost the performance skills, self-expression and self-confidence of 8 to 14-year-olds.
During this immersive week, children and young people guided by a team of professional drama, movement, music, puppetry and storytelling artists and enthusiastic volunteers will co-create a bespoke ‘Tall Tale’ performance.
The Telford Tall Tales team will then be back in Telford Town Centre in Autumn with a full-day workshop on Saturday 13th of September, and Thursday early-evening sessions during September and October, again offering rare access to professional cross-arts workshops for Telford’s children and young people.
Last year the theatre company was awarded £7,500 through Postcode Local Trust, thanks to funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, to develop the project over this past winter. The delivery of the project has been made possible with £35,785 funding from Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants awarded this May. The project is also supported by Telford and Wrekin Council’s Healthy, Happy and Active Holidays Scheme who have provided places for free to children on free school meals.
Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Moonstruck Astronaut to deliver drama workshops for young people, with more than £35,000 of funding from the National Lottery. By championing inclusion, accessibility, and professional development, Telford Tall Tales aligns with Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy, ensuring a lasting impact for Telford’s young people and artists.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Moonstruck Astronaut can extend its reach into Telford Town Centre and bring the joy of creativity and storytelling to even more children and young people, inspiring confidence, imagination, and new opportunities for the future.”
Wayne Jenson, Chief Executive at Meeting Point House, said: “”We are absolutely delighted to be supporting Moonstruck Astronaut, a brilliant professional youth theatre company nurturing creativity, confidence, and talent in young people. Their innovative work aligns perfectly with our mission to foster community, inclusion, and opportunity—and we’re proud to play a part in their inspiring journey.”
One of the artists joining theatre director Hannah de Quincey is award-winning author, performer and storyteller Amy Douglas. Amy has worked extensively with young people as a mentor, workshop leader, performer and project lead. She said: “Shropshire is stuffed full of legends, ghosts, giants, mermaids, monsters and magic. I can’t wait to explore and play with some of those stories as we bring together drama, storytelling, puppetry and fun!”
Hannah de Quincey, Artistic Director, said: “By running our proven workshops at Meeting Point House in Telford Town Centre, our goal is to attract more participants, visibility and increase accessibility to the rich rewards of play and creativity for Telford’s children.”
To book for one, two or all three workshops, go to https://www.moonstruckastronaut.com and follow the links to the Eventbrite pages. Early Bird prices are currently available
