| Peer Productions | |||
| Name: | Peer Productions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | WYAC, Trinity Road, Knaphill, Woking, GU21 2SY | ||
| City: | Woking | ||
| Country: | United Kingdom | ||
| Artistic Directors: | Nina Lemon and Jason Orbaum | ||
| Company Director: | Claire Tristram | ||
| Opened: | September 2006 | ||
| Years active: | 2006 – present | ||
| Website: | http://peerproductions.co.uk | ||
Peer Productions is a youth arts training company, which specialises in peer education through theatre, based at Woking Youth Arts Centre in Woking, Surrey, England.
Peer Productions was founded by Surrey-based theatre artists Nina Lemon and Jason Orbaum in 2006.[1] The company runs a full time vocational course for those aged 16–23 years as well as a youth theatre for those aged 8–23 years.[2]
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Peer Productions' Certificate in Peer Education through Theatre is a practical course for young people aged 16–23 years interested in theatre and education. During the course, students learn skills needed to succeed in the performing arts sector and have the opportunity to take part in productions and community projects.
Students learn voice, movement, textual analysis, character building, devising and directing techniques as core components of the course. They also receive master classes from industry professionals and where appropriate, coaching for drama school audition speeches.
Access to the course is by audition. The course is free. All staff, including volunteers, have a full CRB disclosure.
All students have the opportunity to have their learning accredited through the Arts Award Gold accreditation. This is a level 3 qualification recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
The course included the following projects:
Peer Productions students have worked with three youth groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersex and Questioning young people to devise imaginative drama. This work then toured secondary schools in Surrey informing and challenging students on homophobia. This project received £7,000 from the Local Network Fund and the Youth Opportunities Fund and was created in partnership with Sam King from Connexions and Sue Sanders from Schools Out.
Peer Productions students worked with three groups of young people identified as excluded or at risk of exclusion to create a film exploring their stories. The film became part of a multimedia touring performance project for Key Stage 3+. This project received £10,000 from the European Social Fund.
Peer Productions students worked with the Surrey History Centre to research local history. Year 6 pupils used their own research to devise an interactive drama project. The production toured Surrey junior schools where pupils were be invited to board a time machine and interact with characters in period dress using genuine artefacts from the Light Box Gallery. The aim of this project was to bring history to life for both the peer educators and the young audience members.
Peer Productions students ran a weekly arts club for students with moderate learning disabilities from Carwarden House School. By working with their peers they increased this group’s confidence and promote greater social understanding.
This was a new musical written by people in the local area. It led to a performance at Woking's Rhoda McGraw Theatre after two weeks intensive rehearsal.
Peer Productions full time volunteers have the opportunity to undergo an Arts Award[3] Gold Certificate and members of the youth theatre can take a bronze of silver. certificate.
In May 2008, full time members Anthony Springhall and Dan Brewton wrote a musical for their Gold Certificate called Young At War, which was about three life-long friends facing the dangers of war. This was performed by full time and youth theatre members of Peer Productions as well as drama students from outside the group
Peer Productions Youth Theatre productions include: