Beats the Box

Through participatory drama and democratic discussion, young people in the Pembrokeshire, Hubberston, and Hakin Youth Fora identified bullying as a major concern. SWT has worked with these youth to design two plays to present to younger children in the area. These plays are based on personal narratives gleaned from baseline research (interviews) conducted by the young people with children and adults in the community about their attitudes toward and experiences with bullying. The plays are highly interactive; the young performers serve as peer facilitators to stimulate the audience.

Another component of Beats the Box called Streets works to increase community involvement in the issue of bullying and community identity. Participants interpret their own streets through a variety of artistic media such as theatre, poetry, light projection, stellar mapping, sculpture, flat art, and web art to illustrate and enhance a sense of place. Historical details, stories, memories, abstractions, interactions, food, environmental features (both natural and construced), inform the process.

Children, Youth, Conflict.

The first play was performed once at a Youth Conference, and the second six times (five in local primary schools and one at a Youth Forum meeting). In late August 2002, a two-day arts event in a geodesic dome introduced the project to the wider community. Three artists from SWT worked with local people to build giant processional structures. These giants later took part in 'Global Connections' One World Week Carnival in Pembroke.

The work started in the Hakin and Hubberston areas of Milford Haven in 2001-2 will continue in Pembroke Dock in 2002-3, and may appear in a combined festival of arts activities in 2003-4.

This project is funded by the Arts Council Of Wales for 3 years as a pilot under the Arts in Targeted Community Development scheme.