Oxford City Council has given a £10,000 grant to the Oxford Playhouse to improve literacy, develop storytelling, encourage imagination and introduce young people to theatre.
The programme, called Primary Playmaker, has seen 10 workshops delivered in each of the participating primary schools to support groups of year 5 and 6 pupils to create a 10-minute play.
The participating schools are Bayards Hill, East Oxford, New Hinksey, St John Fisher, St Michael’s and Windale.
The programme and workshops, which have been taking place since September, are being led by award-winning children’s playwright Renata Allen.
Two plays from each school will then be performed by professional actors at the Playhouse on Wednesday 29 March from 1pm.
The performances will be part of the Young Players festival, a week celebrating work created and performed by young people.
Mezze Eade, Participation Director at Oxford Playhouse, said: “We thoroughly enjoy working with the Primary Playmakers, to enhance their education and engage with them creatively – the children never run out of ideas or enthusiasm.
“We hope that participation in the Primary Playmaker programme will inspire a lifelong engagement with the arts, and a sense of belonging to the Oxford Playhouse family.”
Councillor Pat Kennedy, Executive Board Member for Youth People, Schools and Skills, said: “The children clearly enjoyed working together on the play writing and that develops team working skills as well as having an impact on literacy and creativity.”
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