Scene: Rosie Bowden

In August, Rosy Cheek Theatre’s FLOCK brought a burst of movement, music and youth-led storytelling to Newcastle’s Grainger Market and Leazes Park. Directed by Rosie Bowden, the piece explored themes of departure, belonging and regional identity, asking why the North East is so often left behind — and what it means to stay.

Created with young people from across the region, FLOCK placed their voices at the centre, celebrating the next generation of theatre makers in public spaces.

Here, Rosie tells us about the North-East creative organisations who celebrate young people’s voices…

Over the last 5 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with young people across the North East in drama and creative writing sessions. The wealth of ideas from young people from every background is absolutely astounding. We’ve told stories about talking fruit, rapped Shakespeare, made a grotesque lovesong between Trump and Farage and choreographed a Greggs musical. Whilst their ideas are all so brilliant and funny, their words have also often moved me to tears.

Young people’s work is often brushed aside and not watched by the general public, as they might think it’s just for their parents/guardians/friends/pets. But the joy and passion that comes from young people and their stories triples the experience of leaving a professional piece of work for me. As the people most involved in our future, they feel like the most important to be making work. And hopefully they’ll continue to feed our creative industries with their talent! 

FLOCK has made me look at the region in a totally new light, from the lens of someone about to step into ‘adulthood’. All of the creatives in the project are 23 or under. We are all still babies looking ahead at an uncertain future, wrapped up in the warmth of the North, but all too aware of its sorrow too. It’s a love letter to being from here, or being adopted into the region, and never knowing if it is time to ‘leave fast or stay forever’

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of brilliant organisations who celebrate young people’s voices – come and be part of this incredibly exciting time to be in young person’s work. If on paper you’re no longer considered a young people (we’re all young at heart) then come and engage in their work – you won’t regret it. You’ll be filled with hope.

Live Youth Theatre 
Most creatives in the North East were once part of the Youth Theatre or have facilitated with them. Paul James and Helen Green have created a fantastic space for young people to create anything they want, be it political, ridiculous or everything in between. The youth theatre is free and provides a golden opportunity to try, fail, do it all in safe hands.

https://www.live.org.uk/youththeatre

Newcastle Theatre Royal 
What a brilliant, beautiful, prestigious building to make work in. Newcastle Theatre Royal have a wonderful studio that transports you into a new world whenever you see their young person‘s work. They also began Youth Company last year which enables people aged 14-19 to be part of the National Theatre Connections festival and perform on the main stage. Applications for this close on Tues 9th September.

https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/take-part/youth-company/

CAST in Northumberland
CAST was my first job as a facilitator and provides something special that didn’t exist when I grew up in Northumberland. They create musical theatre and dance performances on an incredibly professional scale, giving young people the opportunity to take their moment and shine in beautiful local venues.

https://www.cast.academy/

Northern Stage 
Northern Stage have an incredible range of young person’s projects from tech, to directing to design. I would have valued this so much growing up – it’s a fantastic opportunity and way to learn a craft for an industry that can often seem hard to break into.

Applications for September are currently closed but it’s well worth signing up to their mailing lists!

https://northernstage.co.uk/taking-part/