YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMES WITH INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES
WE DEVELOP DYNAMIC CO-CREATED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GLOUCESTER GUILDHALL AND UK BASED INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES. THESE PROGRAMMES ENSURE THAT THE WORKSHOPS, TRAINING, AND PERFORMANCES tHAT TOURING COMPANIES DELIVER IN GLOUCESTER ARE RELEVANT TO AND RESONATE WITH THE PASSIONS, ASPIRATIONS, AND EXPERIENCES OF LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE. CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND WORK WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE ARTS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES.
UPSWING
“For me as a black artist and maker, one of the most pressing problems we have is to see beyond the surface. Circus creates a democratic space to explore the extraordinary qualities that bind not divide us.” Vicki Dela Amedume, Upswing’s Artistic Director.
Upswing, a ground-breaking, multi-award-winning circus company. Using the human body as an expressive tool to entertain, inspire curiosity, share urgent ideas and ignite a desire to build connection. Upswing tells new stories in extraordinary ways – amplifying and celebrating the skills, creative talents and stories of diverse artists and communities.
SAY
SAY is an energetic dance company blending underground music with contemporary dance, breaking down barriers to artistic engagement. SAY are associate artists at The Place: Leading centre for dance performance, touring and creation. Creating energetic dance shows bringing together personal stories, fast-paced and slick dance routines to original music tracks from a dynamic range of talented artists.
In 2025 we developed a participatory programme with SAY using inspiration from their Hot in Here show, we co designed a workshop to develop young people’s confidence moving in front of the camera. SAY delivered a tailored and high octane workshop where they developed choreography with a range of local young people including music artists, physical theatre practitioners, dancers, drag artists and athletes. The choreography was set to local emerging artists Tsantana and Tia Callum and was filmed by a specialist movement videographer and we produced the film Did what I did . These initiatives foster new ways of working, offering young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity alongside international artists, transforming Gloucester’s cultural landscape.