EMERGE : Theatre For Life

Theatre for Life CIC has teamed up with Southampton Children’s Hospital, Solent Mind and Southampton City Council Cultural Services in a cross-community film project titled ‘Emerge’. The project is part of the city-wide Mayflower 400 programme.

‘Emerge’ will be a devised performance, humanising stories of communities dealing with hidden disability and mental health, connecting with audiences through stories of hope and resilience. Theatre for Life youth company will have the opportunity to explore stories respectfully and with authenticity using headphone verbatim with Kristine Landon-Smith and Neela Doležalová.‘Emerge’ will also be included as part of the Southampton COVID-19 Stories exhibition led by Southampton City Council.

The collaboration between Theatre for Life CIC and Southampton Children’s Hospital will see young people working remotely with creative practitioners in verbatim theatre, scriptwriting, poetry and devising with Desree and Amari Harris. The project aims to supports patient empowerment, self-esteem and resilience. Solent Mind, Hampshire’s leading mental health charity, will also be providing advice to participants needing support with mental health.

The project is funded by a Mayflower 400 Community Heritage Grant as part of the city-wide Mayflower 400 programme. The anniversary year seeks to celebrate Southampton, a city and a community, built on journeys and migration, whilst increasing access to and engagement in culture. The youth company will be exploring both their own journeys, alongside hidden stories of disadvantaged communities dealing with mental health in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster. The piece will be informed and empowered through historical research and community dialogue to celebrate the resilience of our youth company and the Southampton communities following the infamous tragedy.

‘Emerge’ is also supported by Arts Council of England thanks to public funding from the National Lottery and the #iwillFund through the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation. Theatre for Life is supported by The Baring Foundation for their community work in using the arts to support mental health over the next 12 months.

You can watch the ‘Emerge’ film at public screenings in 2021, with the support of Southampton City Council Cultural Services, dates to be announced.