Community theatre project bringing people together

Tom Hadfield-Doughty, 15, is among those taking part in the workshops

A new community theatre project is aiming to bring people together by telling the stories that matter to them.

The Giving Community A Voice project has been running teenage and adult workshops for 10 weeks at Trowbridge Town Hall.

It will culminate in a production to be held in September which will be a collaboration between theatre professionals and members of the community.

The workshops have been observed by local writer, Saili Katebe, who said it had been "humbling" to hear what is important to people's lives.

Students from Clarendon Academy, John of Gaunt School and St Augustine's College are among those who have been taking part in the project.

During the final session before half-term, they took part in an improvisation workshop with many describing the supportive environment as key to their enjoyment during the sessions.

CJ Turner-McMullan has been leading workshops for teenagers in Trowbridge

CJ Turner-McMullan, who has been part of the team leading the sessions, said the teenagers taking part "never fail to surprise us".

The team are working with a "broad scope of stories" said Mx Turner-McMullan.

"They're into anarchy, gymnastics, they're into all sorts of things that we really didn't expect.

"They're proper agents of chaos, every time we come in we're like, what weird and wonderful stuff have you got for us this week?

"Without a doubt they go beyond what we expect."

Local writer and performer, Saili Katebe, has been listening and making notes during the workshops

Local writer and performer, Saili Katebe, has been making notes on the workshops and will be responsible for the final script.

He described the community workshops as a "privilege".

Mr Katebe said that as the sessions have progressed, he has noticed the young people "take ownership of the space" and heard what they care about both in "overt and more subtle ways".

Tessa Slack, community and partnerships manager for Trowbridge Town Hall is part of the team behind the project

Tessa Slack, Trowbridge Town Hall's community and partnerships manager, said the plot of the final production will be a story that "people from Trowbridge want to tell".

The project is about building the community and making theatre accessible to all, she said.

"The stories that we can learn and share - it really feels like an opportunity to bring everybody together."

The workshops will culminate in performances in the autumn

The Giving Community A Voice project has received financial support through a grant from Arts Council England, and funding from the Trowbridge Area Board.

Performances of the production are due to take place in Emmanuel's Yard, Trowbridge, in September.

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