Acting for Change with Smashing Times New cross-border drama initiative is launched
An innovative arts programme using drama and theatre to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding within Donegal and on a cross-community and cross-border basis has been launched.
Smashing Times Theatre Company with support from Donegal County Development Board Peace and Reconciliation Partnership are running the Acting for Change project.
The project uses drama and theatre activities in Donegal to engage participants from a cross-border and cross-community perspective, bringing people together to explore themes that are a consequence of the conflict in Northern Ireland and the Southern Border counties.
This project is supported by the EU’s PEACE III Programme and managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council and part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.
As part of this project Smashing Times are working in collaboration with a range of organisations including the Irish Peace Centres, the Mid-Ulster Women’s Network, the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey and Plain Speaking Community Theatre, Omagh.
Storytelling Workshops through Drama are being organised to encourage the sharing of people’s experiences of the legacy of conflict and to promote peace and reconciliation with cross-community and cross-border participation.
There are also anti-racism and anti-sectarianism workshops through drama. These workshops are conducted by professional theatre artists from Smashing Times theatre company and are open to all. Participants do not need to have any previous knowledge of drama.
Reconcilliation
Each drama workshop is two-and-a-half to three hours long and explores issues around reconciliation, equality, anti-racism and anti-sectarianism, such as what underpins stereotypes and myths about ‘the other’. Exploration is through active participation in theatre exercises and improvisations using the creative, participative and experiential processes of drama. Adults and young people develop a stronger awareness of the issues through a quality arts experience.
An original performance exploring stories of ‘The Troubles’ and hopes and dreams for the future, directed by Mary Moyniha, will tour the county in January.
Acting for Change is open to the public. Individuals and groups in Donegal or the surrounding cross-border areas of Derry and Tyrone are welcome to contact Smashing Times Theatre Company if you are interested in taking part. This can involve having a drama workshop carried out with your local community; getting involved in the One-Day Reconciliation and Equality Seminar through Drama (January 14th at the Regional Arts Centre, Letterkenny); and attending performances and post-show discussions (a new play premieres in the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, January 11th and tours to Ramelton, Carndonagh and Letterkenny).
For further information contact Freda Manweiler on 087 2214245 or email: freda@smashingtimes.ie
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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