Global Digital Premiere set for performances of short scripts created by Class Act 2020 young participants

The Traverse is delighted to be bringing a series of 17 short scripts, created by the student participants of their Class Act 2020 programme, to audiences around the world for the first time.

Article Source: Traverse Theatre
First Published: 6 May 2021 15:24
Updated: 6 May 2021 15:26

• Schools involved are Craigroyston Community High School, Boroughmuir High School, Broughton High School, Royal High School

• Pieces will premiere on YouTube on Wed 12 May and Thu 13 May at 7.30PM then be available on demand

• Activity is part of the Traverse’s flagship Class Act programme, which is approaching its 30th anniversary

The Traverse is delighted to be bringing a series of 17 short scripts, created by the student participants of their Class Act 2020 programme, to audiences around the world for the first time in a pair of digital premieres, which will be available to watch on demand for three weeks.

The scripts have been created by students from four local secondary schools - Craigroyston Community High School, Boroughmuir High School, Broughton High School and Royal High School – who participated in the Traverse’s flagship education project, Class Act, in 2020.

Pieces written by students from Boroughmuir High School and Broughton High School will premiere on Wed 12 May at 7.30pm, with pieces from Craigroyston Community High School and Royal High School following the next day, Thu 13 May at 7.30pm. The premieres will take place on YouTube, where the performances can then be watched on demand until Wed 2 June.

Class Act provides creative support and a safe space for participants to write about whatever may be affecting them, or they feel passionately about, and encourages free expression and uninhibited creation. The result is a range of short scripts bursting with energy, featuring many unusual and amusing situations and vivid characters (some of whom you may recognise!). Covering a multitude of subjects – from mental health to current politics, killers on the run to reality TV, and everything in between – these pieces are a true, honest and insightful reflection of the concerns and excitements of Scotland’s young people.
Many of the performances were filmed (following Covid 19 regulations) in locations such as Jupiter Artland’s house and grounds, Pyramid in Glasgow, and on the Traverse 1 stage. Others use animation, puppetry and other digital tools to deliver performances.

Class Act 2020 has engaged over 70 freelance artists, and casting for these performances includes Rebekah Lumsden, Cristian Ortega, Shyvone Ahmmad, Martin Donaghy, Aidan Kerr, Rebecca Elsie, Fiona McNeill , Éimi Quinn, Lydia White, Oat Jenner, Angus Taylor, Hannah Visocchi, Caleb Hughes , Steven Rae, Lucy Greenway, Gary Robson, Davy Kirkwood, Rebecca Robin, Saskia Ashdown, Jack Stewart, Grayson Pender, Tara McGirr, Millie Innes, Lucianne McEvoy , Pete Collins, Petre Dobre, Amy Helena, Craig McCulloch, Ali Kerr , Ben Taylor Muir, Tiger Mitchell and Hannah Low.

Wezi Mhura and Robbie Gordon, the Traverse’s Creative Development Producers, said:

“Not even a global pandemic has been able to suppress the incredible creativity of the young people we’ve had the privilege to work with throughout Class Act’s 2020 programme. We were delighted to be able to bring these scripts to streets across Edinburgh City Centre last month as a taste of what was to come, and now we’re even more thrilled to be able to share these bombastic and thought-provoking pieces online, brought to life by an incredibly enthusiastic cast in some well-loved locations. The imagination and creativity of all the participants deserves a wide audience, who will be enriched by their unique take on the world around us, and everything that’s happening within it – and we couldn’t be more pleased that people around the world will have the chance to experience these performances for the first time.”

About Class Act

Class Act is the Traverse’s annual creative learning programme, which pairs established playwrights with students from secondary schools across the city to transform them into writers, creative original short plays which would usually then be performed on the Traverse’s main stage. It has also been run in international locations including Ukraine and India. In 2021, the programme will celebrate its 30th anniversary.

For the first time, participants in Class Act’s 2020 edition also took part in workshops from Scottish and Scotland-based creatives across a range of disciplines, including:
• Rising music star Be Charlotte
• Dave Hook of alternative hip-hop group Stanley Odd
• Acclaimed playwright May Sumbwanyambe
• Award-winning theatremaker and actress Apphia Campbell
• Playwright and director Davey Anderson
• Writer, actor and director Maryam Hamidi
• Physical theatre company Groupwork
• Dancer and performer Petre Dobre

You can find out more about Class Act HERE

Listing Info

Class Act 2020: Showcase
Wed 12 and Thu 13 May @ 7.30PM – premieres
Available to watch on demand until Wed 2 June
Free, but ticketed
Traverse 3 (our online venue)
Book at: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/class-act-showcase-performances

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