This term we have been extremely lucky to have worked with London’s emerging playwright Dan Berridge.
 
Dan  has written an original short play for our Senior group, that they will be performing and recording via Zoom. 
 
Dan dialled into our Seniors Zoom call for a "Meet and Greet" and had a Q&A with the young people.
 
Dan states:
"2020  has been a challenge for us all and more so than ever the arts are  critical for young people to be able to connect, have space to be  creative and have fun. When I heard about this project I jumped at the  opportunity to share ideas of community and artistic expression in a  time where young people need it the most and cannot wait to see what the Senior group do with the text”.

You can see the finished products by clicking on the links below:

Debbie is the head of drama at St Patricks RC High School in Salford and has lived in Stretford for over 10 years. Debbie was raised in Blackpool where she studied dance and drama for many years, appearing in shows at the Winter Gardens, Opera House and Grand Theatre.  After completing a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts she moved to London and started working front of house and backstage at the Adelphi Theatre. Debbie then gained a place at Rose Bruford College and completed 2 years of a BA Hons degree in acting before leaving to bring up her son Lewis. She completed the degree at St Martins College in Lancaster and then deciding to go in a new direction and complete her teacher training. Debbie has since worked in secondary schools directing shows from 'Little Shop of Horrors' to 'the crucible' and working on projects such as 'Shakespeare for schools' and with organisations such as The People's Museum. She is really excited to be working with the Junior section as it is a challenge different to her day to day job.

Niall Brennan is an Applied Theatre practitioner and graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Based in Stretford, Niall has been facilitating drama and film projects with young people for over 6 years. Working for organisations such as The British Film Institute, Pauline Quirke Academy and NCS. 
 

Niall is also a qualified PGCE Secondary Drama teacher from the Manchester Metropolitan University. 
 

Niall is really interested in exploring community engagement through multiple and diverse art platforms. 

Gemma Richmond has an extensive and diverse theatre background. Ranging from performance, directing and facilitation. Graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London(specialising in Applied Theatre) Gemma has been based in Stretford since 2016 and facilitates with both the youngest and oldest groups at SCT.

Performance, Film Making, Physical Theatre, Puppetry, and Teacher in Role are all core to Gemmas practice. Allowing young people and children to explore their creativity in a safe and nurturing platform. 

When Gemma is not facilitating at SCT, she works for one of the country’s leading Learning Disability Charities. Supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues to live the life that they choose. Her experience has equipped her with knowledge on how best to support people with social and educational challenges.

Tina is a local parent who moved to Manchester, from Yorkshire, in 1990 to study Modern Languages at university.  She has lived in Stretford for 20 years and is a parent at Victoria Park Junior School.  Tina helps with the Family Learning Friday sessions at the infant school.  She currently works part-time as an extra-curricular language and creative writing teacher, going in to local nurseries and primary schools (including Victoria Park) but her previous work history mainly consists of 30 years within the customer service and administration fields at: Monsoon, John Lewis, Waitrose, My Travel Airways/Airtours International Airways, Eurostar and Safeway (to name a few).  She is therefore a very people orientated person and is looking forward to providing you with a very warm welcome at the Stretford Children's Theatre drama sessions.  

Grace was undertaking some volunteering with us as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award scheme in the Infants classes and has stayed on as she has really enjoyed her time with us.
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I am Grace Hall, aged 14 years and a Year 9 Student at Knutsford Academy. I have been dancing since I was 4 and performing on stage since I was 6. I am currently working towards Grade 5 Ballet and Tap. I have also had Ballroom, Latin and Freestyle lessons. My very first stage show was as a Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz at the Lowry where I performed alongside Danielle Hope and Bobby Davro, I was 6 ½ and from that day forward I have loved the Stage. I performed as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan at the Gracie Fields theatre with Nikki Sanderson. I am a member of 2 amateur dramatic groups JS80 and Urmston Musical Theatre and have performed in Annie (twice), Oliver, Our Day Out, The King and I, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat and many pantomimes.