Wyn Richards reports back on the many and varied offerings available at this cathedral city's theatre.
As well as a venue for shows, film, and comedy nights, Hereford's Courtyard Theatre provides a space for innovation, creativity, and participation. Creative Engagement workshops provide formal and informal education both within the theatre as well as across the area, allowing the whole community the same opportunities as those hosted in Hereford.
The passionate education team pride themselves on providing engaging programmes of schools' work, from termly projects to one-off workshops aimed at supporting a school's specific learning objectives while complementing the broader curriculum.
Caroline Potter, The Courtyard's participation manager, explains: ‘Our provision allows opportunities for engagement in the arts for the smallest babies upwards – so important for emotional, mental, social and physical health. To know that we have a small part in allowing such access is wonderful.’
Workshops include a Roald Dahl Literacy Project. Led by a practitioner assigned to work at a school for the project duration, 5 workshops explore a Dahl story. Another –Bard at the Yard – explores a Shakespeare play. Both projects culminate in performances on The Courtyard's main stage. Mental health workshops, #talkawaydontwalkaway, open up supportive discussions with young people, providing them with ways in which to help themselves and others.
Beyond the curriculum, creative provision for Herefordshire's youth is broad and varied, with approximately 330 young people involved in its youth theatre. Aiming to provide high quality theatre training in an inclusive, fun and nurturing environment, it gives young people opportunities to develop a range of performance skills, and a means to develop communication, team building and problem-solving skills. Under the tutelage of experienced practitioners, performance opportunities occur regularly – from small-scale showcases to full-scale productions – on the theatre's main stage.
Week-long holiday workshops range from acting, writing, and other creative projects. The Actors Academy is an acting for film workshop for young people in Years 9 to 13. Alongside a professional director, participants learn how shot choice, lighting and scene blocking informs screen acting. The bolder young person may enjoy Actors Academy: Stage Combat, which explores physical combat skills, allowing the opportunity to practice armed (with swords!) and unarmed stage fighting, learning storytelling through the art of combat. The Be a Star! inclusive workshop is a week of drama, dance, arts and crafts HiC activities, for young people with additional educational needs.
The Arts Award supports participants to connect with, and take part in, the wider arts world, developing creativity, communication and leadership skills. Reflecting different interests and ambitions, it encourages individual development and helps young people, from the age of 4 to 25, to define their creative futures. A registered Arts Award supporter and award centre within their youth theatre, schools programme and outreach work, the theatre supports youngsters in developing their arts and leadership talents, generously offering £5 tickets to selected shows for participants working towards the award. They can also explore the Courtyard's gallery exhibitions free of charge and get £3 tickets to films shown in its cinema with a free Courtyard Card membership.
Younger children are not forgotten, with numerous classes available to aid pre-school children's development. Boogie with Baby is a fun class for little ones, their mums, dads or carers. With babies in soft slings or baby carriers, the session is a gentle movement and dance class; a chance for bonding and fun through dance.
Courtyard Kids is a fun session for children in Reception to Year 2 to learn through play and interaction with a range of art forms. For older adults and pre-school children with accompanying parents or carers, Playing Together is an interactive, creative session that supports participants to communicate through play activities including music, movement and visual arts. ‘I had the pleasure of witnessing an elderly lady with dementia who used to be a childcare nurse,’ says Caroline. ‘Her years of nursing experience came to the fore as she merely held one of the babies. There is limited nationwide provision for such wonderful opportunities.’ The Courtyard were proud winners of Best Dementia Friendly Organisation at The Alzheimer's Society National Dementia Friendly Awards 2019.
At an affordable price, the whole family can spend Saturday mornings at The Courtyard partaking in workshops, watching films and productions.
With a commitment to providing artistic and cultural opportunities for older people, The Courtyard and other community activity providers also run a range of adult performance workshops. All aim to combat isolation and support personal independence by allowing participants to become more active – thus improving health, well-being and quality of life. Such provision includes:
- A veteran's choir
- Silver Swans Adult Ballet
- Ho Down – a line-dancing class
- No Dramas – a session for the visually impaired
- Life drawing
- Silver pendant making
- Dementia-friendly performances.
More details on The Courtyard's creative engagement activities can be found at courtyard.org.uk