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Annual Report 2006
Contents
A Word from the Chair 2 Mission Statement 2 Our Aims 2
About Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre 3 Key Achievements 3
Some facts and Figures 4
ACTIVITIES
Weekly Workshops 5 Empowerment Programme 5
Productions 6 Adult Drama Training 6
Outreach Programme 7 The Toonspeak Team 7
Acknowledgements 8
Become a Part of Toonspeak 9
Toonspeak has been operating since 1987 for the purpose of providing quality drama and theatre activities for young people aged 11-25 years living in North Glasgow.
The organisation became established as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2003 and is recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue.
Our members have always been at the heart of the organisation. Through the Empowerment Programme, our members take an active role in the decision-making processes of the organisation from selecting scripts and specialist master classes, to designing posters and newsletters and becoming board members.
As employers and trainers Toonspeak receive consistently positive feedback from our freelance staff and volunteers, many of whom returned to work with us again this year.
Our Weekly Update, which is emailed to all of our current staff and volunteers, highlights training opportunities relevant to our activities and several full time and freelance staff and volunteers have taken this opportunity to develop their skills.
Key Achievements
We were awarded Learn Direct’s, Learning Employer of the Year 2005 in recognition of TYPT’s commitment to training.
Over 9 months we developed our Summer production Pictures in the Stars. This included a residential weekend at Loch Lomond, design week, music week and a variety of specialist skills workshops.
2005 saw the pilot of our members’ Sub Committee, who organised our Christmas Cabaret and Toonspeak’s 18th birthday party.
A new business plan has been created, outlining our goals for the next 4 years. Some Facts & Figures
Participants worked with 404 Total number of projects 33 Posts created (full, part & flexi time) 85 Volunteering posts 60 Partner organisations worked with 10 Geographical areas covered 10 Audience members 1176
Weekly Workshops
This year we ran four regular weekly workshops in Royston (Studio and Blue Roof), Sighthill, Milton and Balgrayhill. 87 young people took part in these sessions. Our Thursday night Royston group presented three small scale performances for friends and family and our Balgrayhill group presented one performance. “I can do things that I thought I never could do”
Empowerment Programme
Our Empowerment Programme was made up of 20 workshops spread over 8 projects and involved 76 of our members. The programme included trips to Glasgow Science Centre and the Lyceum Theatre, Poster design for Pictures in the Stars, a DVD workshop and Vocal training. Board development and fundraising sessions were also provided and a Sub Committee of young people organised the Christmas Cabaret and Toonspeak’s 18th Birthday party (pictured, below).
“The best bit was being part of a new thing deliberately designed for us” Productions
In August 2005, Toonspeak staged its most ambitious project to date; Pictures in the Stars. We created a fully functioning theatre in 48 hours in Glenconner Park and an audience of 366 people watched five performances (pictured, below)
Following successful performances at the Citizen’s Theatre, our 14+ group performed Just by Ali Smith at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh at the Shell Connections Showcase
“I’ve had the chance to perform on stage and believe in myself and my abilities”
Adult Drama Training
In January and February 2006, 16 adults took part in our drama training courses at The Arches and Scottish Opera’s building. This year’s Advanced skills course focused on directing productions with young people, both script-based and devised. The feedback was very positive as reflected by these comments from the participants.
“Steep learning curve, thoroughly enjoyable”
“I learnt a lot of skills, which I’ll hopefully be able to use in both drama and other youth work”
“I feel it has added another dimension to my training” Outreach Programme
This year Toonspeak worked with 10 partner organisations including Strathclyde Police and Queen’s Cross Housing Association, in 8 different areas where 160 participants took part in 84 sessions. Projects included holiday programmes in Easter, Summer and October.
“I’m really happy to be involved in something. It makes me feel special”
THE TOONSPEAK TEAM
All of this year’s projects were made possible by a very dedicated and highly skilled team. A total of 85 professional posts and 60 voluntary posts have been created and filled over the last twelve months and without this extended Toonspeak family we would never have achieved the outstanding levels of success across our 33 projects. Here is a selection of comments from our freelance drama workers;
“I feel that the support we have had has been great”
“Great to work with an enthusiastic group of young people”
“It was rewarding to see the group achieve a goal and a good experience to be involved in this”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PROJECT PARTNERS
Breakthrough, Campsie & Nevis Tenants Association, Colston Milton Church, Depot Arts Company, GCC C.A.T. Team, Glasgow North Ltd, Glasgow Science Centre, LearnDirect, Mischief la Bas, North Glasgow Arts & Regeneration Network, North Glasgow International Festival, North Glasgow Youth Stakeholders Group, Queen’s Cross Housing Association, Realise, The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Royston Youth Action, Saint Paul’s Church, Sighthill Out Of School Care, Springburn Academy, Strathclyde Police
TOONSPEAK’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pat Heslin Chairperson Bob Paris Treasurer Maria Zani Director Jain McIntyre Director Ashley Wilson Director Dave Fort Director Gemma MacLean Director (Young Person) Paul Paterson Director (Young Person) Megan McGarrigle Director (Young Person) Katie Gillespie Director (Young Person)
PATRONS OF TOONSPEAK
Iain Connell BBC Comedy Unit Stephen Purdon Actor (River City)
TOONSPEAK’S STAFF
Sarah Longfield Artistic Director Lorna Shanks General Manager (until July 05) Dave Mason Projects Co-ordinator (until Dec 05) Heather Dick Projects Co-ordinator (from Jan 06) Kim Stuyck Administrator
PUBLIC FUNDERS
BBC Children in Need Appeal, Glasgow City Council Arts Development, Glasgow Housing Association, North Glasgow Social Inclusion Partnership, Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund, Scottish Enterprise
BECOME A PART OF TOONSPEAK
YOUNG PEOPLE
To become involved in our Weekly Drama Workshop programme contact us on the number below. After this you will become a member of Toonspeak and have the opportunity to take part in our Empowerment Programme and Productions.
ADULTS
If you would like to volunteer on any of Toonspeak’s projects, please get in touch and arrange to come in for a chat.
If you are a freelance drama or specialist practitioner, send us your CV and call to arrange a meeting with our Artistic Director or Projects Co-ordinator.
Don’t forget that we offer free Drama Training courses twice a year to improve your skills.
ORGANISATIONS
If you wish to find out more about working in partnership with Toonspeak as part of our Outreach Programme, please contact us to discuss your ideas.
Toonspeak Young People's Theatre Unit 1A Millburn Centre 221 Millburn Street Glasgow G21 2HL
Telephone: 0141 552 0234 email: info@toonspeak.co.uk
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