“Young deaf people have their own unique creativity, imagination and talent. For years I was told deaf people can’t make or create theatre and that’s not true. ”
North East Deaf Youth Theatre aims to support deaf children and young people to develop their creative skills, build confidence and form new friendships.
Together with deaf arts organisation Turtléar, we will explore theatre-making including, creative writing, storytelling, acting, lighting and backstage skills to create our very own productions to share with friends and family.
Workshops are delivered by Creative Associate EJ Raymond. EJ is profoundly deaf and a BSL user and graduated from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow in 2018 (BA Performance). EJ is an actor, writer, and founder of Turtléar.
Monthly Sessions
We deliver a North East Deaf Youth Theatre session (usually on the 3rd Saturday of each month) as follows:
9.30am-11.30am - children aged 5-12 years old
Dates: Available here
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Background
North East Deaf Youth Theatre launched in Summer 2022 to support deaf children and young people to develop their creative skills, build confidence and form new friendships.
Together with deaf arts organisation Turtléar, we hosted a week-long programme of free creative workshops for deaf children and young people (aged 7 - 16 years old) at Jesmond Park Academy in Newcastle upon Tyne. Together with the children, we explored the various aspects of theatre-making including, creative writing, acting, lighting and backstage skills. Our co-creations culminated in a fantastic end-of-week production entitled Gary and the Dragon, which the children performed to an audience of parents and BSL interpreters.
Since then, we have launched free monthly North East Deaf Youth Theatre sessions and our young participants have enjoyed exploring film-making, presenting, performance and much more!
Find Out More
If you are interested in joining North East Deaf Youth Theatre or would like further information then please email us. You can also sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and announcements from Unfolding Theatre straight to your inbox.
Support our campaign to raise funds for our third North East Deaf Youth Theatre Summer Camp
Award-winning Deaf and disabled journalist Liam O’Dell interviewed Creative Associate EJ Raymond about North East Deaf Youth Theatre for our blog.
EJ Raymond introduces the August 2022 North East Deaf Youth Theatre summer programme.
Artistic Director Annie Rigby and Creative Associate EJ Raymond reflect on a year of working together as artists and founding North East Deaf Youth Theatre.
Unfolding Theatre's Creative Associate EJ Raymond introduces North East Deaf Youth Theatre activities, ahead of the programme launch in August 2022.
North East Deaf Youth Theatre Creative Team
Annie Rigby
EJ Raymond
