Our Work | September 9, 2016
Tricky Hat was commissioned to lead Forum Theatre performances and workshops reaching over 3,600
school pupils across Dundee between 2015 and 2018 with the support of DC Thomson, Alliance Trust and Thorntons Law.
This project aims to develop skills, inspire confidence and realise potential for life after school. It focuses on employability choices and options for young people. The performance is created using real life experiences. Members of DC Thompson staff support each performance, a starting point looking at the motivations and fears that influence young people in interviews, first days at work and decision making about their future. The Forum Theatre format enables and the young people to participate in the decision making of the young professional actors who are playing their peers. This project has had a major impact for young people at a pivotal time in their lives.
“The pupils’ feedback that this is a fantastic experience for them, challenging what they know about employability skills and the barriers they face personally. It allows them to making connections with employers and hear real life experience of getting and sustaining a job. They love the performance and Forum Theatre interventions and report that it engages them in a way that allows them to speak openly about their aspirations and fears in moving on from school.”
Dawn Forester, Employability Programme Manager at DC Thomson.
Typical comments from the pupils are:
“It got me thinking of what I want to do.”
“I realise that there is more than one pathway to what you want.”
“You should pursue the career you want and not the one others want for you.”
“This helped me to know how to prepare for the future.”
Article about Tomorrow’s Talent in The Courier: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/769970/tomorrows-talent-reaches-new-milestone/
Forum Theatre techniques can be applied to may different contexts. If you think your school or organisation would benefit from Tricky Hat processes, don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss more: info@trickyhat.com