Creative Arc Commission: Sing & Sign and Newsicles
Documental Theatre: Sing & Sign and Newsicles!
Themes: Health & Wellbeing; People & Place-shaping
Documental Theatre’s project aims to empower people with learning disabilities (PWLDs) and carers in Exeter through creative expression. Documental has a unique approach that goes against the status quo, which tends to be that many provisions for either PWLDs or paid/unpaid carers exist separately from each other, as if these two groups can only thrive when ‘getting a break’ from each other. Documental values the importance of having fun and stimulation together to reframe relationships that can become worn down by tackling the tiresome practicalities of the SEN systems.
The project’s aims are for visibility, validation and upskilling of the local carer and learning disability community through:
Representation in a critically acclaimed Edinburgh National Partnership Award-winning play, Scaffolding – to be performed at the Barnfield Theatre – which forefronts the experience of a Devon-based learning disability family and the power of non-verbal communication;
Participation in the Sing & Sign Jukebox Choir and the community building and support network that is going from strength to strength around the choir;
Accessible 6 session songwriting course for carers and PWLDs;
Pilot of NEWSICALS, a regular lunchtime event to showcase narrative songs and new musical theatre being developed in the Exeter area (featuring artists and performers from a range of different groups).
This project aims to start elevating the Exeter area from a place where PWLDs learn and attend activities, to a place where they take steps into performance and creative careers, supported by a community and aspirational peers working in an accessible and personalised way alongside each other, to realise professional standards and aspirations.
About Documental Theatre
Documental stories begin with interviews and archive finds. Their productions document British life in all its light and dark shades through playful, thought-provoking audio, theatre and musical productions. They want our shows to open up their arms and welcome the audience in. Increasingly the team are involved in community action: Makaton choirs, songs created with rural heroes, podcasts for community stations, and a grown-up musical with Makaton signing. Documental is led by writer Lucy Bell and producer Naomi Turner and associates include award-winning neuro-diverse, carer and disabled creatives from the South West.
https://documentaltheatre.co.uk/makaton-jukebox-2/