New show shines a light on care leavers and support professionals.
Award-winning community group Women & Theatre is bringing an entertaining and inspiring production, Taking Steps, to Midlands Arts Centre on 23rd and 24th November.
Developed from research and inspired by real conversations, Taking Steps is both funny and moving, featuring live performance and a dynamic soundscape of spoken word and original music. Performed by professional actors interacting with the recorded voices of young people, this insightful performance piece which follows three Leaving Care Workers, and through their work, shares snapshots of the lives of the young people they support.
Janice Connolly BEM, W&T’s Artistic Director, said, “I am so pleased that we are presenting this brilliant piece of new theatre. The production is beautifully staged and performed, and the way the voices of the young people’s characters are included is dynamic and affecting.
“As public services continue to be squeezed and the threat of increased austerity looms large, it feels more important than ever to shine a light on care-experienced young people and the professionals that work alongside them. These young people are in our care.”
Following the publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in May, Women & Theatre’s new production, and the inclusion of a post-show discussion both nights, offers an opportunity for care experienced young people, professionals and the general public to come together and consider what is needed to transform the children’s social care system to provide children with loving, safe and stable families.
This production is part of Women & Theatre’s Moving On project, a two-year project co-delivered with care-experienced young people, which aims to make changes, break stereotypes and prepare young people to leave care. Funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the project has been led by Women & Theatre, in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Trust and Birmingham City Council.
Taking Steps is at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, 23th & 24th November 7.30pm. The 24th November performance will be BSL interpreted by Racheel Veazey. Performances are followed by discussions co-facilitated by Janice Connolly and care-experienced young people.