Elevate is our unique work experience project. Formed in 2009 the programme is a transformative experience for up to 20 students from local schools. Over the course of two weeks students in Years 10 – 12 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.
Elevate enables participating 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.
As each production is based on a relevant issue for young people the participants explore and learn about a variety of challenging subjects, which they then use to inspire positive change and choices in the school audiences of the touring production.
Previous productions have covered subjects including knife crime, sexism and gender terminology, body image, consent, politics and change and mental health.
Burgate School
Ringwood School
For the first time in 2024 Forest Forge, with the support of New Forest District Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust, ran an additional facilitation strand of the Elevate project. Young people took part in sessions to develop their own workshops which they then delivered at venues including a school and a care home, exploring another side to working in professional theatre and seeing the difference it can make.