Derby Theatre sets up D/deaf-friendly youth group

Published: 19 August 2018
Reporter: Steve Orme

Young people participating in a workshop rehearsal at Derby Theatre

A D/deaf-friendly youth theatre group is to start at Derby Theatre in autumn 2018.

The group will be a fully accessible theatre group for young people who are D/deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. The theatre says it will be a "perfect" opportunity to develop confidence, range of expression and performance skills.

It will be aimed at young people aged between 11 and 18. The group will work towards creating its own accessible and innovative performance which will be shared as part of a Derby Theatre family open day on Saturday 16 March 2019.

Professional practitioners will run the sessions at which BSL communication and interpretation will be provided. The sessions will run on Wednesdays on 26 September, 10 and 24 October, 7 and 21 November, 5 December, 16 and 30 January, 13 and 27 February, and 13 and 27 March from 5 until 6:30PM. The D/deaf-friendly youth theatre will initially be a two-term project and the aim is to continue it afterwards.

Young artists and participation producer Nicola Bellenger said, "as a learning theatre, we strive to make our programme and participation opportunities accessible to as many people as possible, and so this is a crucial step in widening access to our learning activities.

"There's already been an encouraging expression of interest, so we're looking forward to seeing the group form, grow and flourish and become a brilliant addition to our programme."

Further information is available by e-mailing [email protected].

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Are you sure?