Early Years Creativity

KINDLING CASE STUDYEARLY YEARS IN SOMERSET@ Bridgwater Arts Centre

THEATRE FOR THE VERY YOUNG @ Bridgwater Arts Centre with Take Art

In 2010, Bridgwater Arts Centre and ‘Kindling’ came together to present Play into Play, a day of workshops, discussions and revelations based on pioneering practice in Early Years’ theatre.

As part of the biennual KinderGardens festival, Play into Play attracted over 40 creative practitioners, venue programmers and Early Years’ specialists from across Somerset and the region, to take part in a range of workshops, provocations and presentations.

Play into Play explored ground breaking theatre for under 5s, examined opportunities to create and perform work and looked at ways to build audiences and explore diversity; activities central to Bridgwater Art Centre’s work in Early Years.

The day began with a performance of the beautiful imaginative play Parapapel by Spanish company ‘De Molecula’, attended by over 75 children and their parents from three local Children’s Centres.

Throughout the day Play into Play flowed into a series of expertly led workshops and presentations from notable speakers, including Dr Susan Young of the University of Exeter, who specialises in the Arts and Early Years; and Jo Belloli, the producer of ‘Polka Theatre’ and the UK rep for the European Early Years initiative ‘Small Size, Big Citizens’. A concluding provocation session explored the impact of Early Years’ theatre on children’s creative responses and their understanding of the world.

“Somerset is doing it! It was great to see a theatre full of Early Years. Those parents and children had a fantastic, possibly new and definitely eye opening and inspiring experience.” Angie Ward, independent dance artist

www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk

Photo Credits: Richard Tomlinson& de molecula