Arts For EveryBody’s Post

This is exactly what we have been taking about at Peer this week! Over the past seventeen years, especially since the pandemic hit, we've seen young people getting more hesitant about diving into theatre and shying away from taking risks in their theatre-making and viewing experiences. It's disheartening to hear veteran teachers, with two decades under their belts, leaving the professional because they are struggling to engage teens in their lessons.The problem seems to hit hardest among young people from lower-income backgrounds. Factors like the rising cost of living, environmental concerns, and a preference for virtual over real-life experiences are all contributing to a serious mental health crisis in this generation. But it's not just about mental health. If this trend continues, we're looking at even fewer working-class folks breaking into the theatre scene and that's a loss for all of us. What companies like Pilot Theatre (and Peer!) are doing is really important work. We need to tackle this head-on, both for the sake of our craft and for the future of the industry.

This is exactly what we have been taking about at Peer this week! Over the past seventeen years, especially since the pandemic hit, we've seen young people getting more hesitant about diving into theatre and shying away from taking risks in their theatre-making and viewing experiences. It's disheartening to hear veteran teachers, with two decades under their belts, leaving the professional because they are struggling to engage teens in their lessons.The problem seems to hit hardest among young people from lower-income backgrounds. Factors like the rising cost of living, environmental concerns, and a preference for virtual over real-life experiences are all contributing to a serious mental health crisis in this generation. But it's not just about mental health. If this trend continues, we're looking at even fewer working-class folks breaking into the theatre scene and that's a loss for all of us. What companies like Pilot Theatre (and Peer!) are doing is really important work. We need to tackle this head-on, both for the sake of our craft and for the future of the industry.

A peek into our editorial and our issue: "Within mental health care, even in spaces that name themselves as rooted in social justice, rarely do we see disabled identity celebrated. Many of us go through our entire educational careers without reading a single text penned by a disabled therapist. Yet, disabled individuals make up at least 25% of the population. Where are they? Why are our voices not being leveraged and celebrated... While we are grateful and excited to raise up the voices within this edition, we mourn the many voices that did not contribute too. We mourn the voices that have been told they don’t belong in academia. We mourn the bodies that have moved themselves to the margins of our field because they got tired of self-accommodating. We bear witness to the many therapists that do not out themselves as disabled/chronically ill/neurodivergent for fear of how those admissions may be met. Because while those identities are beautiful and deserve celebration, they have not always been met as such. Within these pages, we hope you find an article that speaks to you. We hope you feel new possibilities being cracked open by the words and work of the authors within, just as we did. It is our hope that new drama therapists in training see these articles and realize their voice does matter, that their experiences matter... Within this journal, you will find the voices of researchers, theater artists, students, therapists and faculty. There is no hierarchy within these pages, as is so often found in academia. Every voice is important. We hope this represents a needed shift towards valuing lived experience as much as professional experience. As Sins Invalid (2019) writes in their Principles of Disability Justice when speaking on collective liberation, “No body or mind can be left behind--only moving together can we accomplish the revolution we require.”"

I believe in art as a fundamental tool in the process of desisting from crime 🎨, enabling the development of strategies aimed at supporting reintegration and the development of social and human capital. Participation in artistic activities by incarcerated individuals can facilitate the process of moving away from crime, contributing to the redefinition of identities and self-perception. Art projects in prisons can allow inmates, who are generally stigmatized and have deteriorated identities, to begin redefining and re-signifying themselves from positive places 🌟. How do you think art can contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals? #ArtInPrisons #SocialReintegration #DesistanceFromCrime #MentalHealth #CriminalJustice #ArtTherapy #Rehabilitation #SocialCapital #HumanDevelopment #PositiveIdentity #MentalHealthAwareness

🎭 Transforming Lives Through Theatre: Unlock Drama’s Rehabilitation Projects 🎭 At Unlock Drama, we harness the transformative power of theatre to facilitate rehabilitation and foster positive societal change. Our unique approach to rehabilitation through drama not only aids individuals in developing vital life skills but also plays a critical role in reducing re-offending and enhancing community safety. 🌟 What We Do: Unlock Drama’s projects integrate theatrical techniques with rehabilitation goals, creating dynamic and interactive environments where participants can: • Explore Personal and Social Challenges: Through role-play and dramatisation, participants delve into real-life issues, gaining insights and perspectives that foster empathy and understanding. • Develop Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Theatre exercises emphasise verbal and non-verbal communication, crucial for rebuilding relationships and successfully integrating into society. • Build Confidence and Self-Esteem: Stepping into different roles allows participants to break out of their shells and view themselves in a new light, enhancing their self-worth and motivation. 🔍 Impact of Our Work: Our rehabilitation projects have demonstrated significant benefits, not just for the individuals involved but for the wider community. Participants often report improved mental health, reduced anxiety, and a renewed sense of purpose. Staff and community members observe noticeable decreases in disruptive behavior and increased engagement in positive activities. 🤝 Collaborate with Us: Unlock Drama is proud to work with a variety of partners including prisons, community centres, and educational institutions. We tailor our projects to meet the specific needs of each group, ensuring the most impactful outcomes. 💬 Participant Testimonial: “I never thought theatre could change my perspective so much. It’s given me the tools to manage my emotions and reactions better. I feel ready to move forward in life with a positive mindset.” — Participant 📣 Join Us: We are always looking to expand our impact and collaborate with new organisations. If you believe in the power of rehabilitation through the arts and are interested in partnering with us, please reach out. Together, we can make a lasting difference. For more information on how to partner with us or to learn more about our projects: 🌐 Visit our website 📧 Email: rebecca@unlockdrama.com #UnlockDrama #RehabilitationThroughTheatre #SocialChange #TheatreInPrison #HMPPS #MOJ #g4s #serco #mitie #sodexo #prisonreform #justice #justicereform #CJS #criminaljustice

Over time, our world has become more focused on protecting individuals from risk, especially children. This shift is driven by various factors, including advancements in safety regulations, increased awareness of potential dangers, and a desire to prevent harm. As a result, children today often grow up with more limitations on activities that are perceived as risky, such as exploring unsupervised or engaging in adventurous play. While this may offer greater physical safety, some argue it could limit children's opportunities for learning and development of important skills like problem-solving and resilience. Balancing safety with the benefits of risk-taking remains an ongoing challenge in modern society. Look how the world has evolved, through strollers back 100 years ago 😆 #childhood #risk #adventureplay

Unintentional and inconsistent actions inadvertently allow harmful narratives from the Criminal Legal System to impact the lives of young individuals. However, every young person deserves the opportunity to craft their own narrative. At Mirror Image Arts, we employ Restorative Theatre as a tool to empower them on their journey toward healing and restoration. #YouthEmpowerment #HealingJourney #ChangeTheNarrative Thank you to Longmont Community Justice Partnership for being amazing program partners! Here are some survey results from our Your Story Your Power program: 100% of participants expressed that in this program, their efforts translated into noticeable improvement in the skills they were working on. 100% of participants acknowledged that being part of this program facilitated personal growth and insights into themselves. 96.4% of participants reported feeling more confident in expressing their thoughts and feelings. 95% of participants highlighted that exposure to other people's stories and perspectives prompted them to consider diverse choices for their future. 91% of participants conveyed increased confidence in sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Have you ever felt like you're wearing a mask that doesn't fit or represent the person or purpose beneath? Let me know in the comments below, or send me a DM. #personaldevelopment #purpose #identity #fulfillment

I'm published in an academic journal! "Pairing theater with information and conversation increases understanding, empathy and action around social justice, raises [Out Of Hand Theater's] visibility, and provides new income streams, making theater financially viable and increasing its community value while serving the greatest community needs." https://lnkd.in/ed2cmTvq

Come and watch Angela, some current and Northbrook College students & acting professionals, perform this on Thursday & Friday @7pm in Brighton! Please 🙏 also share this post on your socials. "Part performance, part workshop, part discussion... "Un/Dressed" provides a raw and unapologetic exploration of the challenges young people face in their relationships, and how seemingly innocent actions can spiral into an accusation of assault" https://lnkd.in/eDdi3rHB