elevate

Elevate is our annual work experience scheme which started in 2009.

Every summer term, up to 20 Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students work with us to devise, rehearse, design, tech and perform a brand new issue-based play, before heading out on tour to secondary schools across the region, all accomplished in just two weeks!

elevate enables students to learn about all aspects of theatre from a professional theatre company, from lighting, sound and set design, to stage management and performance techniques – opening their eyes to the variety of employment opportunities within the arts. The project also counts towards Ringwood School’s Year 12 students taking BTEC in Production Arts.

Previous elevate projects have explored relationships, gender and body image. In 2009, the project focused on a performance about knife crime, which was described by one teacher who saw the final performance as; “one of the most positively influential things to occur in my time here and I have been here for a decade”.

In 2016, Man Up Girl Up focused on issues surrounding sexism and gender terminology. One participant said, “I was amazed that I felt so comfortable about being open and vulnerable around new people, and having the confidence to share my views and ideas”.

In 2017 elevate’s project The Birds and The Bees had the audience thinking about consent. One teacher said “Acting was spot on and well directed. Topics each year are well presented and provide excellent information which is easily accessed by the audience. An absolute credit to their company”.

In 2018 our young participants tackled politics and change, this included a visit to the Houses of Parliament before touring their performance as the community engagement part of the Sir Harry Burrard Neale 250th Anniversary Project.