By: Beth Siddall, Project Manager
Jun 2024
For more than 15 years, Theatre Royal Plymouth has run projects designed to end social isolation for people from refugee, asylum seeker and migrant backgrounds. Our current programme, Dare to Dazzle, engages children aged 7 – 11 from across the globe, living in here in Plymouth. We use drama and theatre as a tool to improve confidence, develop communication skills and welcome these children to our city.
We meet after school once a week, and build our drama skills, performing a short play that we have created back to family and friends each term. The children always rush into the space with a joyful energy, eager to take part! They have fantastic imagination and creativity, and make brilliant theatre.
Through coming together on this project, children have made great friends and are able to share an understanding of each other’s experiences. As the leader of the group, I am often overwhelmed by the kindness of these children. They have an incredible ability to share and profound sense of fairness.
Children who take part in Dare to Dazzle grow in confidence, improve their resilience and problem-solving skills and deepen their ability to work as a team. They make new and lasting friendships and often, find a new love of theatre! This improvement in their wellbeing is recognised by their schools, families and the children themselves.
Dare to Dazzle has been a joy to deliver, and we look forward to the future of this important work.