More than 1,500 young people across Derby are to take part in a day of cultural activities, showcasing their talents in a takeover of the city.
Many of the young people engaged with the This is Derby project are working with two theatre companies to devise performances. They are The Paper Birds, a devising and verbatim theatre company, and Curious Monkey, an international theatre company specialising in bringing real stories to life through theatre.
The Paper Birds will help young people to co-create an original performance, My Space, which will explore young people's views and experiences of social class, ownership, belonging and the theme of fairness.
Curious Monkey will work with young people to create a theatre piece around the themes of growing up, place and the identity of young people in Derby in 2019.
This is Derby was formed in 2018 to engage with young people across some of the most deprived areas of the city. Derby has been identified by the government as a “cold spot” in terms of social mobility. Its young people are said to be at a bigger disadvantage than their peers for many reasons including poor mental health, lack of education and career opportunities, poor housing and high levels of drug use.
The This is Derby takeover will be held place in Derby Market Place on Saturday 13 July from 3 until 8PM.