If I Ruled The World
If you ruled the world, what would it be like?
This is the question we asked a talented group of young people this summer. Over just five days they answered with an innovative, multi-arts performance that expressed their vision of the future.
If I Ruled The World was an exciting collaboration between Elevator Arts & The Song School. We brought together artists working with drama, music, spoken word and digital design with young people aged 10-15 at METAL Southend in Chalkwell Hall.
Alongside professional artists participants got the chance to have a go at playing an instrument for the first time, create spoken word & drama pieces or try 3D scanning or projection mapping. The young people used their new found skills to create a thought-provoking and innovative piece of theatre transforming Chalkwell Hall for an audience of friends, family and the wider community.
Participants were joined in rehearsals by Anna Firth MP when she came to visit METAL during the week.
“It’s been amazing to be able to offer free opportunities to the local community. Our hope is that we engage more children and young people who are not ordinarily able to access these kinds of activities; an objective shared with our partners on this project, Elevator Arts”.
Louisa Strachan, Director of The Song School
We were pleased to welcome to the project participants who were newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. We overcame language barriers and the young people made new friends, grew in confidence over the week and took on central roles in the performance.
It was fantastic to see all the young people empowered with the creative skills to express themselves in a positive and imaginative way - congratulations & thanks to everyone who took part!
“Taking part made me feel courageous and confident.”
- Participant
“It made me feel included, I made some very good friends.”
- Participant
“I enjoyed planning the production onstage - it was fun being in front of the instruments - and I liked making new friends.”
- Participant
“Wonderful show! Its lovely to see all the kids’ creativity come together.”
- Audience member
If I Ruled The World was co-produced by Elevator Arts & The Song School in partnership with METAL Southend.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England & Ewan’s Music Trust & Music On Sea.
