Ripple Effect: A New Theatre Project with BLAST Youth Theatre
We’re thrilled to announce Ripple Effect, an inspiring new theatre project created by BLAST Youth Theatre and funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Ripple Effect is set to empower youth in Southend and Basildon to express their unique voices and share their stories, building stronger communities in South Essex.
About the Ripple Effect Project
Ripple Effect is a collaborative project with key partners Welcome To The UK (Southend), Signpost (Basildon), Towngate Theatre (Basildon), and Southend Theatres. Together, BLAST Youth Theatre members will create two original productions inspired by their personal journeys, celebrating the rich diversity within their communities.
With the guidance of theatre professionals participants will bring to life their own stories, which will culminate in performances as double-bills at the Towngate Theatre and Southend’s Palace Theatre. These performances will be a celebration for family, friends, and the broader community, highlighting themes of migration, acceptance, and unity in a joyful and age-appropriate way.
BLAST Youth Theatre Southend’s summer 2024 show
Key Goals and Outcomes
Ripple Effect is designed not only to support the artistic growth of young people but also to foster personal and social development. Through this project, BLAST Youth Theatre will help participants:
Improve communication and language skills.
Build self-confidence and a strong sense of self.
Foster aspirations, personal growth, and a feeling of belonging.
Enhance mental health and combat social isolation.
Engage with the arts, developing creative and social skills.
Ripple Effect goes beyond individual impact. The project seeks to amplify the voices of marginalised young people, bringing their stories to the stage and fostering a sense of community cohesion. By showcasing these performances in prestigious theatres, we hope to attract new audiences, engage community members, and promote a spirit of inclusion and empathy.
A Broader Vision for Social Impact
Ripple Effect is part of a broader effort to address the challenges faced by newly arrived and refugee children in South Essex. With rising numbers of asylum seekers in areas like Basildon and Southend, these young people often experience social isolation and integration barriers, compounded by recent economic challenges. By giving them a voice and the platform to share positive narratives of multiculturalism, Ripple Effect is a vital response that counters exclusion and promotes unity and understanding.
Building on the success of our BLAST Youth Theatre, established in 2021 with Welcome To The UK, Ripple Effect expands our impact by collaborating with new partners. Signpost approached us to bring this transformative project to Basildon, opening new avenues for reaching disadvantaged communities through the arts.
Meet the Team Bringing Ripple Effect to Life
Under the artistic direction of Michelle Barrington, Ripple Effect will be a vibrant and expertly crafted experience. Michelle, an experienced theatre maker, will lead the sessions, direct the productions, and work alongside Assistant Directors Al Hawkins and Chloe Hogwood. Puppeteer Hannah Brailsford will guide participants through puppet creation, while playwright Kate Austen will lead script development.
Ripple Effect is a unique opportunity to cultivate creativity, compassion, and resilience in young people, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and inclusivity. We’re proud to work alongside Towngate Theatre, Palace Theatre, Signpost, and Welcome To The UK, as well as our in-kind supporter True Staging, who will help us bring this project to life.
Together, let’s celebrate the journeys, voices, and hopes of young people in South Essex. Join us at Ripple Effect’s performances in 2025, and be a part of this powerful movement towards unity and community cohesion through the transformative power of theatre.
Still a chance to join us at BLAST YT Basildon
We still have places available in our BLAST Youth Theatre (Basildon) - click here to register!
