The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective

A new play with Hip Hop Theatre and Puppetry

Created by Sue Buckmaster and Keith Saha

Touring Nationally February-March 2016: Participation Information

The Production Theatre-Rites and 20 Stories High are joining forces to create and develop a truly unique piece of theatre blending Beatboxing, Hip Hop Dance, Spoken Word and Puppetry. The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective will explore the impact of life in 21st Century Britain, with particular reference to the recession, on our young people. What is it like to have nothing - and how do we start to fix what is Broken?

The Form20 Stories High have been instrumental in developing this unique form of Hip Hop Theatre and Puppetry past shows include Babul and the Blue Bear, Ghost Boy and more recently with Sue Buckmaster with Melody Loses Her Mojo .

Theatre-Rites are leading puppetry practitioners, who create challenging productions that push the boundaries of theatrical form combining different artistic disciplines. The company has gained international acclaim for its fusion of performance, installation art, puppetry, video and sound.

This time the two companies have come together to fully explore the potential to bring these forms together.

The Creative Team Sue Buckmaster- Co-DirectorKeith Saha – Co-Director Hobbit- Sonic Artist/ BeatboxerRyan Logistics- DancerElektric- Rapper/SingerMohsen Nouri- Puppeteer

The Audience20 Stories High’s work is aimed at an audience of 13-30. We have vast experience in connecting with culturally diverse and socially excluded young audiences. We also offer seasoned theatre- goers a new experience that is accessible and firmly rooted in strong theatre tradition - breaking down common misconceptions of Hip-Hop and Urban Street Art and Culture. Theatre-Rites has created work across the UK and internationally for children aged 2-14 and the work is celebrated for resonating with both children and young people.

The TourThe Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective will tour nationally from 8th Feb-28th March 2016, and will be approximately 75 minutes long.

ParticipationThe Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective is an ideal resource for young people, educational groups and youth groups. The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective encourages young people to explore themes and issues relevant to them, their peers and their communities. As well as experiencing a variety of artistic forms.

Through vibrant, contemporary and accessible theatre the project supports Citizenship, PSHE, Drama, English, Dance and Music for young people aged 13-25 contributing to their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Key themes: Mental Health Home Family Employment Politics

Getting involvedThere are a whole host of ways young people, youth groups, schools and individual audience members can engage with the show...

Post-Show Discussions Young people can participate in a discussion with the actors, exploring further the themes and issues in the play, and the making of the production.

Workshops Our workshop facilitators will lead exciting Hip Hop Theatre and Puppetry workshops ex-ploring the art forms used within the Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective including Puppetry, Spoken word, Drama, Verbatim, Dance and Physical Theatre. Workshops are 2 hours and allocated subject to availability of artist and art form reques -ted by venues.

These workshops can be delivered to existing groups of young people or used to attract new audiences as such times and dates can be flexible to suit venues.Please let us know your requirements when booking.

Post-Show Jams Following on from previous successful Post-Show Jams, 20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites in partnership with host venues can set up exciting events for local young people. The events will happen directly after the show in a separate space in the venue, which will be transformed by lights and sound. Young people and The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective artists can collaborate on stage together. Young people will also be encouraged to perform as individuals or groups.

In-house eventsWe will offer support to partner venues to coordinate events and activities to take place at their theatre during the show run. Activities could take place pre or post show or during the interval in communal spaces. Activities could include:

Young people performing in the theatre Open workshops Poetry & spoken word slams/sharings Facilitated debates and discussions

INSET training Training session will explore the fusion of art forms that will feature in The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective. The session will specifically focus on the combination of Puppetry and Hip-Hop Theatre. Participants will engage in a variety of activities and exercises that have been used with young people and professional artists throughout the development of the play, broadening their understanding of Hip-Hop theatre and Puppetry.

Resource Pack This free pack will be available online for any school or community group. It will feature key information about the show, company and production team. The pack will also offer activities and ideas for groups to explore in the classroom or during session time.

Programme and Signposting A programme will be handed out at the end of every performance, with information about The Broke ‘n’ Beat collective and how to get involved with 20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites in the future. This also features information about key support organisations and services.

Feedback “WOW!  Thank you so much for today.  Our students LOVED the workshop and as well as being fun it was so relevant for their A-Level studies. I can't thank you all enough. We are all looking forward to making our own verbatim plays now. It was just the experience our students need to inspire them. Keep up your good work, this was one of the best in school experiences I have ever had in over 15 years of teaching.  You've got it just right.  Thank you.” Teacher, Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form

“Overall big thumbs up. It will help immensely with their devising units for both A2 Drama and A2 Performance Studies. The workshop certainly raised many excellent ideas about gender, age and sexuality and made it very clear how to approach and develop these techniques. The 3 from the company were brilliant and our students had a unique experience thanks to the activities they engaged them in and how fantastic they were with us. So big thanks all round.” Teacher, Paston Sixth Form College

“A huge THANK YOU to all of you at 20SH for bringing such a high quality and inspiring program and production to Peterborough. We made the connection as I know what you can deliver and you haven't let us down!!” Sarah Haythornthwaite, The Key Theatre

“I have two very disengaged students who are EAL (English as an additional language) who really came alive after being made to do a student workshop before the show. They boys are really into their Hip Hop and rap and they were able to engage with the staff from the company and went from kissing their teeth to actually producing a brilliant little sketch with their puppet! The boys were supposed to be coming to watch the show so that they could write their GCSE live evaluation course work neither boy was planning on bothering but after the work shop they both came and one even performed at the post show jam! Result!” Teacher, Voyager Academy, Peterborough

“The piece is what 20 Stories High do so well – high quality participation work with unquestionable integrity of purpose… It was funny and moving. It was personal and it was political. It was wide-ranging… The performers were relaxed and hugely (infectiously) enjoying doing the gig, this made for a great live youth-powered event. The skill of the company – and the trust in the company by the participants – is clear.” Kevin Dyer, Writer/Director

Contact Participation Manager: Nicole Morris Address: Toxteth TV, 37-45 Windsor Street, Toxteth, L8 1XEEmail: Nicole@20storieshigh.org.uk Phone: 0151 708 9728

www.20storieshigh.org.uk www.theatre-rites.co.uk