Live Tales, a new creative writing centre for young people launched by Newcastle’s Live Theatre, officially opened its doors for visits by school children this week, with the first visits taking place on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 September.
Live Tales offers interactive story writing in free workshops for Key Stage 2 classes and community groups. In a two-hour Live Tales workshop, children can let their imaginations run wild to write an original story. The first part of the story is written by the whole class then each child gets the opportunity to write an individual ending. Live Tales workshops aim to encourage and inspire young people to explore their imaginations and develop communication skills and confidence.
The project is an extension of Live Theatre’s writing and drama work with schools, including Write Stuff which, aimed at teenagers, focuses on developing speaking, listening and literacy skills through a series of practical drama-based workshops that will inspire young people to write, and Live’s own Youth Theatre which involves 200 young people between 11 and 25 every year—and for which there is frequently a waiting list to join.
“In Live Tales we are creating a valuable facility for young people and teachers to develop creativity, confidence and story-telling skills—and even perhaps writers of the future,” said Jim Beirne, Chief Executive Live Theatre. “Launching Live Tales helps us to continue to develop and nurture creative talent which is part of Live Theatre’s mission.”
Offered initially on Thursday and Friday mornings, the workshops are available for KS2 school classes during term time. Teachers bringing a group for a free two-hour workshop also receive a free pack with practical information to help plan their visit and activities to do with their class afterwards.
Writer David Almond, who is a champion of the writing centre, said, “what a joy it is to have Live Tales here on Tyneside. This is an important and optimistic project of national significance. Children and young people are at the beating heart of our culture. They are our future. We all have a great deal to learn from their energy and creativity.”