It’s My Move
It’s My Move
Suitable for
Learning disabled young people from 14 – 21 years
About
The transition from school to adult life
The piece is based on the ‘Forum Theatre’ style, where the audience explore how to make positive outcomes through changing the actions of the characters.
It explores the issues for a group of young people with learning disabilities, and includes multiple communication tools including music, movement, poetry, makaton and film.
Aims
- Reduce stress and anxiety around transition for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) and their carers
- Help young people express their choices and for carers and professionals to listen
- Improve understanding of the local offer and the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Duration
75 minutes
Space needed
Hall or large clear equivalent space
Resources provided
Teacher’s notes with exercises and ideas based on the play.
Downloadable film for parents/carers to use with their young person.
Team
Eight actors, including five with learning difficulties/disabilities, and one stage manager/facilitator
History
Face Front created this theatre and training programme in 2014 in partnership with the Cultural Institute at Kings College, and the disability arts organisations Heart n Soul, Action Space, Vital Xposure and Blink dance theatre.
The show has toured nationally to young LDD people and professionals who work with them, in special schools, colleges and theatre venues, reaching 1050 people over the first tour with 30 shows.
It was commissioned and funded by: Arts Council England, City Bridge Trust, Council Disabled Children, Enfield Council, Kings Cultural Institute, Rix-Thompson-Rothenberg Foundation
What They Say
"The show was truly amazing. It was inspiring both as an outstanding example of how theatre can make a complex and challenging scenario accessible and empowering to people who have learning difficulties and as a powerful illustration of what people who have learning difficulties can achieve when they have opportunities to work in the performing arts."Sally Pavey The Bridge School
"It was brilliant, it made me think I must use my voice."Pupil Samuel Rhodes School
"The actors had disabilities like me and they were fantastic, so it shows I could do performing arts when I leave school."Pupil Pield Heath House School
"It’s My Move is great show, with a strong message for young people that they have a choice about their future and they should voice it. This is a fantastic resource for schools to start the conversation about the transition from school into employment, training and further education. Face Front presented a wonderfully accessible and entertaining piece – I especially loved the use of audience involvement, forum theatre, animation and Makaton."Jim Shepley Executive Director, HaringeyShed
"The workshop was lots of fun and seeing the learners and the staff all working and playing together was wonderful."Paul Southcombe Parent Governor, St Elizabeth’s
"Face Front put on a really engaging show, the way they interacted with the learners and got them involved made the whole experience much more impactful l and relatable for them. The actors were all brilliant, they clearly love what they do, and that enjoyment spills over to audience! This has to be the best performance I have ever seen delivered at a school. It was wonderful to see the interaction between the actors and audience. Our learners have not stopped talking about when they move on!"Lynn Dumayne Senior Learning Support, St Elizabeth’s
