KAreem

Kareem (12) was part of our Offstage ensemble in 2022. This involved intensive sessions during half-term and at weekends, along with a 6-week block of weekly sessions. The group up skilled in areas such as digital arts, technical theatre and theatre design. All sessions were run by local professionals. 
 What the overall experience was like for Kareem:
 
“So at first it was a weekend (intensive session) where we got to practice skills, and then after a month or so it started to be every week, and we helped to create a show."
 
"Because I was part of the digital arts group, we learned about cameras, green screen etc. and it was really fun. "
 
How did co-creation help with the development of self-expression, self-efficacy and agency?
 
"This person called Connell who works at Salford University taught us, along with Izzy who was a videographer. (Working with professionals) was exciting because it’s as if they knew exactly what you were talking about, and they weren’t dismissing the ideas you gave."
"When we were coming up with ideas (for the show) they didn’t just decide what we were doing, they asked for our opinions. It was interesting, because you could say that you disagree with idea or you agree respectfully. And, and somehow, they just combined to one even better idea."
 
The group were asked to work with a group of actors from Pendleton College, who were performing in the show.
 
“So we were asked to film them, essentially. So it could go on in the background when they were performing. It was fun, because it was unusual to work with different people. But it makes it more exciting, because some of the actors were 16/17 years old. They were listening to what you wanted to do and it was nice to feel important and that you’re kind of an expert. "

What transferable/performance making skills have been developed/improved and how?
 
Kareem already had an interest in elements of digital creation before attending Stage Directions, however he was able to build on these skills:
 
"Probably the best thing about it was learning how to use cameras, because some of the cameras we used were professional cameras. So that made us into filmmakers. I'm pretty sure usually we wouldn't be allowed to touch these things."
 
Kareem's mum notes:

​"I think it gave him a completely different idea of what he knows he likes with digital stuff. He's very good. In digital stuff, and in photography, and editing, and doing films on his iPad, so he was good at these things from before. "
 
“(On the Summer Celebration) I felt accomplished because I knew I hadn't wasted a whole week doing some performance that wasn’t even good. But it was nice that I thought the performance looked good, and my mum also thought it looked good”.
 
 When thinking of the future, Kareem notes:
 
“I think I’d like to do something (like this) for my GCSE’s”
“I made a lot of new friends on Stage Directions”
 
Kareem noted that he hadn’t been to the theatre much before Stage Directions, but he would like to do so more often in the future. During his time in Stage Directions, he went to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at The Lowry.
 
Kareem’s mum also spoke to us about her experience of Stage Directions:
 
“I think it's really great, because I notice things that cost a lot. Not everyone can afford that. So I think it was really, really fantastic of (Stage Directions) to offer this to kids from all backgrounds and just to see themselves, if this is something they want to do in the future or something, you know, to explore more. And they offered everything, they offered transport, they offered everything, which really made it helpful. Yes. Without all of this, I know, some people would find it difficult to participate. So all in all, I think it's a fantastic idea and he really enjoyed it".