New youth theatre group will be the voice of a generation
A series of school and community initiatives mean that children and families from Sanquhar will play a major role in Big Burns Supper and the annual Burns Carnival.
BBS is running a series of events and activities, many supported by the Holywood Trust, so even more people from the town have a chance to join in with the fun in January.
Just as important is that youngsters from Sanquhar Primary School are picking up creative skills of exactly the type that are called for in Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
The BBS drive involves:
• Sanquhar Primary School’s P7 class taking part in the carnival
• A free Thursday night youth theatre group
• A special hub where families can make their own carnival lanterns
• More youth arts opportunities – in a project supported by the Holywood Trust.
In 2015-16 Big Burns Supper is estimated to bring £120,000 of benefits to schools and young people in the Dumfries and Galloway – doing valuable work to support council services such as education.
Graham Main, Big Burns Supper Artistic Director, said: “Big Burns Supper gives us the opportunity to engage the community of Sanquhar through our major event.
“And our associate company, Electric Theatre Workshop, now works year-round in the community providing young people with creative learning opportunities, and a new youth theatre which will become the voice of a generation.
“Our role is to enable young people to learn in a different way, and it offers young people the chance to learn outside of the formal classroom setting, and succeed through our Creative Schools programme. Our priority is to increase attainment through confidence and expression.”
Children and families really value the chance to get involved with large and successful events like Big Burns Supper and the street carnival that help bring the whole community together and celebrate all that’s good in life.
The BBS team has been going into the primary school each week to teach the P7 class the performance and dance skills they will need for the carnival.
Victoria Hastie, acting principal teacher, said: “This is a really inclusive experience and has been great for the children. We have seen a huge boost in their confidence and they are working well as a team.”
October saw the launch of the new Sanquhar Youth Theatre, which is currently for eight to 11 year olds, and already has around 18 members. Once established there are plans to expand the group and broaden the age range.
Karen Ward Boyd, Director of the Holywood Trust, said: “The Holywood Trust has supported the public participation element of the Big Burns Supper festival since its inception in 2011 and we are delighted to continue this support with a grant towards the carnival on 24 January.
“We have been impressed since day one by the high level of commitment and enthusiasm that the Big Burns Supper team has in working with the wider public to make sure the carnival is a huge success. We hope to see many young people from Upper Nithsdale taking part.”
The Lantern Making Hub will be at Sanquhar Town Hall on 10 January from 1pm to 4pm. Members of the public will be able to collect free materials (they need to provide their own LED lights to go inside) and learn how to make their own lanterns and can then carry them in the carnival in Dumfries on 24 January.
Big Burns Supper is one of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Beacon Events and receives support of £45,000 a year.
Big Burns Supper 2016 will take place over nine days from 22 to 30 January, with a whole host of shows and entertainment wrapped round the Bard’s birthday – there will also be the fabulous Burns Night Carnival.
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