James Graham’s play Dear England comes to CFT

A total of 1062 students from 26 schools recently descended on Chichester Festival Theatre to experience the National Theatre’s touring production of Dear England by James Graham. Alongside this glorious production NT were delivering in school assemblies and workshops around the themes of the play, also incorporating an opportunity for students to share their own voices about life in England, with some being selected for inclusion in a national time capsule to be opened in 2045. 


Thank you to the National Theatre and Arts Council England for the funding which offered school students an opportunity to see this brilliant play and for some to share in the additional activities on offer.

Stories in the Dust collaboration with CFT

Stories in the Dust collaborated with Chichester Festival Theatre and worked directly with 90 students from Riverbeach Primary, Bersted Green Primary and St Andrew’s Primary.


The Stories in the Dust performance, and its extensive wraparound content, has been developed in partnership with Ian Williams, Professor of Applied Environmental Science at Southampton University. Together, Iona, Ian and Anna have combined drama and science in what they call COMARTS. COMARTS endeavours to educate young people on important subjects, such as the climate crisis, through accessible, fun and inspiring workshops alongside the show. The show is made of 90% materials and tours with a low output lighting rig. Stories in the Dust are on the Touring Committee for the Theatre Green Book and are associate artists for the Climate Museum UK.

 

Thanks to funding from the Sustainability and Resilience Institute, Stories in the Dust continue their sustainability work, and are currently developing an impact monitoring tool alongside researcher Sammy Wood. Stories in the Dust was developed thanks to public funding from Arts Council England and in partnership with MAST Mayflower Studios, Pound Arts, Wiltshire Creative, Southampton University and Crying Out Loud.

 

To listen to the voices of the young people involved in this project click below

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Creative Learning Opportunities with our schools programme

Autumn 2023


Throughout the term Creative County West Sussex (CCWS) has been delivering 4 workshops each week, with students at New Barn School in Horsham, towards a sharing at the end of the term. 52 workshops have been delivered exploring puppetry, creative writing, physical theatre and general drama skills and more.


CCWS has also visited Felpham Community College to support GCSE performing arts students with devising, improvisation, Shakespeare and physical theatre skills which contribute toward their GCSE exams in 2024.


At St Philip Howard Catholic School we enjoyed working with year 9 & 10 students with improvisation and ensemble work, helping the students to develop their own voice along with skills in working as a team.


We have also been working with Arts Leaders at Manor Green College on a puppetry project about Heroes. This work will be shared at their Winter Lights Festival in December.


“We have absolutely loved having Liam to work with our Arts Leaders! He has been an absolute joy, full of enthusiasm, joy and encouragement for our young people. They have all grown in their confidence and improved their listening and collaboration skills. They are so excited to take home their puppets as a momento of the project which has been very special, and I'm sure an experience they will remember for many years to come.” Manor Green College, Lead Teacher


In Spring 2024 we will be working with the following schools on various creative projects. 


Riverbeach Primary, Littlehampton

St Andrews CofE Primary, Crawley

The Littlehampton Academy, Littlehampton

The Angering School, Littlehampton

Broadfield Primary School, Crawley

Crawley College, Crawley



If your school or community group would like to enquire about creative learning activities and classes please contact us for further information.