Reve(a)l Productions CIC - Reve(a)l Productions

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Joanna writes – September 2016:

We are focusing Reve(a)l Productions on developing two projects currently.

I am looking at using an applied theatre approach to build resilience amongst orphans of the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.

This project builds on previous community-building applied theatre projects I delivered in Sussex Community in Sierra Leone in 2012 with war affected youth and children. It will be delivered in partnership with Hassan Kanu a Deputy Head Teacher and community activist I worked with in 2012.

The impact of Ebola in Sierra Leone is well documented. The power of testimonies from survivors can be transformational http://www.onourradar.org/ebola/.

This project aims to use applied theatre with children orphaned during the Ebola outbreak specifically to build their resilience. Building on the evidenced work of Mind (National charity for Mental Health), this project, through the power of applied theatre directly fast-tracks the following ideas from Mind:

There may be times or situations in our lives that are more difficult than others. The capacity to stay mentally well during those times is what we call ‘resilience’.
Resilience is not simply a person’s ability to ‘bounce back’, but their capacity to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances, whilst maintaining a stable mental wellbeing.
We believe resilience is something that can change over time and that we, as individuals, have the power to change it. We believe that resilience can be taught, and learned, and that the elements that build resilience can be introduced into everyday life.

Applied theatre developed by Joanna has focused on working with trauma in a creative and constructive way to support growth and rehabilitation of individuals in a group setting. This whole approach aims to provide sustainable benefits:

Promote mental well-being and supportive structures in the lives of the children and young people involved, in turn…
Reduce potential mental ill-health and anti-social behaviour in the future
Increase potential educational achievement and capacity to develop healthy relationships

As a community-based project, the aim is also to:

Develop local facilitators able to lead similar projects in the future: Equip local welfare and education workers to widen the creative methods they have to support the young people, by involving a number of these workers in the project. This model worked well on the previous project and Hassan Kanu will co-deliver the project with Joanna.

FUNDING – we are looking for funding so please contact Joanna if you have an interest in funding this project.

The second project involves developing a show with a community activist from Tottenham – an African Caribbean man in his 50s, based on his life and experiences – a mediator between police, community and gangs, and with a powerful story to tell. The aim is to develop the show in a way that shows that there is an alternative to cycles of racism, exclusion and violence. This is a good example of how our skill sets will merge together over time.

FUNDING – we are looking for funding for this project, so please contact Joanna if you have an interest in funding this project.

By securing funding more effectively, I will be able to employ local creative people to work with me to devise work that is relevant, sustainable and has an impact in the local communities we are working in.”

June 2016 Good news for 2016

I have set up with my partner Stephen Moss, a Community Interest Company (CIC) called Reve(a)l Productions. This will be a vehicle for us to apply for funding for specific community-based projects aiming to empower change amongst people experiencing exclusion.

Aims

1. Reve(a)l Productions CIC aims to support the growth and development of people who are marginalized/disadvantaged using Applied Theatre and putting on devised ‘Shows with Meaning’ in local community settings. We will work flexibility on a range of projects and funding. Audiences may be small and connected to the performers or in a wider setting – the performances bring a message to the audience that is critical to the development of the performers in changing their lives or the lives of others
2. I have worked and will continue to work with varied communities including: War affected youth and schoolchildren in Sierra Leone, serving soldiers, veterans in rehabilitation, recovering addicts, homeless people, children and adults with special needs, young women at risk, ex-offenders, young people – multiculturally (see home page for videos from some of these projects). We aim to work with this diversity, and also with audiences who connect with these performers.

We are currently now applying for funding for a new project involving creating a ‘show for social action’ from the life of a self styled community mediator (who will also perform in the show) from Tottenham, London – for which we aim to create a strong message of how one can turn from extreme violence to peace making and working with young men in gangs.

We will generate more projects and reach wider audiences and include in the working model young local practitioners and creatives e.g. film-makers and designers which is what I’m trying to do in Tottenham. ‘Putting on shows with Meaning’ supports social action and change. Dreaming about what is possible (Revel) as emerging voice and talent (is revealed) so creating confidence and momentum for change.

What this is about

There can be a powerful connection made between theatre and social action, underpinned by development for the performers as people, also giving them a voice. This work creates a potential to bring groups in conflict together through creativity and to give expression to voices that are marginalised – this is central to the idea to attract more funding for this important work.

Engaging with communities and researching together what messages and development they are interested in is crucial and can be achieved through a range of applied theatre techniques that promote trust and expression. Where trauma is present this can be a powerful and safe way to begin to work together in creative ways, release inhibition and develop trust as a group. I recently held a short workshop with child refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan in a refugee camp in Athens, and understood more about how this work can engage them.

Every child has her own story…

Kids joining in a short workshop

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