Live
Tales, Live Theatre’s creative writing centre, celebrates its first year of
inspiring stories
Live Tales creative writing centre,
developed and run by Live Theatre, celebrates its first year of inspiring young
people to create their own imaginative stories on Friday 15 September.
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| Photo: Jill Tate |
Since launching last
September, 1,546 pupils from over 30 different schools have visited the centre for a two hour
workshop to collaboratively create an imaginative story. Stories have included The
Drain of Doom and Don’t Peek! with characters created ranging from a
slimy lightbulb to Jimmy the Purple Turtle.
Pupils from Brunton First School in Newcastle’s Great Park were the first class to visit the
centre when it opens its doors on 15 September 2016, and are returning again this
September with a new class of pupils.
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| Hotspur Primary School Pupils write stories with David Almond |
Live Tales offers fun, interactive
story writing in free workshops for Key Stage 2 classes. Through a mixture of
drama and writing activities young people are
encouraged to explore their imagination and develop communication skills and
confidence, whether they are reluctant young writers or budding bards. Feedback from pupils includes “The best day ever!” and “I want to come back and write stories.”
Teachers have also
enjoyed the sessions, and seen the benefit for their pupils.Teacher Ronan
McAteer from Hotspur Primary School said “The children had a wonderful time and have
been raving about what happened in their stories to all the staff. I really
enjoyed watching your approach to creative writing.”
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| Photo: Jill Tate |
Christina Castling,
Creative Associate, Children and Young People, Live Theatre explains: “At Live Tales children can let
their imaginations run wild to write a fantastic original story through a fun,
creative story writing process. Creativity is being increasingly squeezed out
of the curriculum. Entering the world of Live Tales allows teachers and
children to explore creative writing from a new perspective. Live Tales
workshops have been specially designed to ensure we’re allowing children to
experience the fun and excitement of exploring their imagination whilst
supporting teachers to deliver curriculum aims in a creative and enjoyable
way.”
Writer, David Almond, a champion of Live Tales added: “What
a joy it is to have Live Tales here on Tyneside. This is an important
and optimistic project of national significance. Children and young people
are at the beating heart of our culture. They are our future. We all have
a great deal to learn from their energy and creativity.”
Live Tales is an extension of Live
Theatre’s successful writing and drama projects with schools. It is also part
of an international network of writing centres, including Fighting Words in Dublin and the 826 group of writing
centres across the United States that encourage young people to
develop their creative writing skills. Live Tales is based in a specially
converted historic Almshouse, located behind Live Theatre in Live Garden.
The
workshops are supported by volunteers who provide encouragement,
one-to-one and in small groups, helping the children to improve their
writing and storytelling whilst volunteer illustrators create drawings to
accompany the children’s stories. Over 110 have been trained as Live Tales
volunteers with at 65 of these regularly volunteering at the sessions. A current volunteer added “What
a buzz! Love the games and format. All child-centred and creative. Brings
writing to life. This is such a joyous thing to
do!”
Who to be a Volunteer
The
volunteering commitment is flexible but volunteers must be available attend the
Thursday or Friday sessions. Volunteers, who must be over 18 and are are given
training are welcome. Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more at www.live.org.uk/volunteer.
Booking workshops for your school:
Free two-hour Live Tales
workshops are available
for KS2 school classes at 10am and 1pm on Thursdays and 10am on Fridays during term time.
Teachers receive a free pack with practical information to help plan their
visit and activities to do with their class before and after their Live Tales
visit. Sessions must be booked in advance. Teachers
interested in booking a Live Tales workshop or finding out more can ring Live
Theatre’s Box Office on (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk/livetales.
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