TAG is delighted to announce a crucial sponsorship deal with ScottishPower. ScottishPower will provide TAG with £9000 towards a ground-breaking project called Outspoken, run in association with the British Stammering Association (BSA), Scotland. Outspoken will provide essential confidence-boosting drama sessions for young people who stammer.
Serving a group who are widely under-represented in theatre, Outspoken will involve 20 workshops running throughout the autumn, commencing on 28 August 2008 at the Citizens Theatre. ScottishPower’s sponsorship has enabled TAG to offer the sessions absolutely free of charge to the participants who will be aged between 16 and 30.
Through improvisation, play and spontaneity, Outspoken, led by TAG Project Worker Louise Brown, will encourage participants to lose inhibitions, to escape perceived limitations, and to take pleasure in using the whole body expressively.
This sponsorship will also enable TAG and BSA Scotland to produce a DVD and online resources for schools on the subject of stammering, using content generated by the workshops.
Guy Hollands, Joint Artistic Director of the Citizens Theatre commented:
“We are delighted to receive this significant sponsorship from ScottishPower, without which this pioneering project would not be possible. Pilot sessions have proven to us that drama is an excellent tool to allow young people who stammer to express themselves and grow in confidence. We are very much looking forward to working with the Outspoken group this autumn.”
Heather McDonald, Group Sponsorships Manager, ScottishPower commented:
“ScottishPower is delighted to support this unique project which we hope will have a hugely positive impact on everyone who takes part in the sessions. We are particularly pleased that our sponsorship will allow as many people as possible to benefit from this programme free of charge.”
Taggart star Blythe Duff, who has worked with TAG has added her support to this project, said:
“I am delighted that TAG has come up with such an innovative project. They have always had a brilliant knack of catching the imagination of young people. I experienced this for my self when I was at school in East Kilbride. The company launched a project to encourage young people to write. I was part of that project and have had a strong association with the company ever since. I look forward to hearing the progress of this new venture. It’s wonderful that drama can provide such a brilliant opportunity for young people to communicate and gain confidence, and in turn equips them with the skills for whatever career path they chose.”
A spokesperson for BSA Scotland commented:
“The drama workshops have focused on expressing yourself imaginatively in fun and whacky ways. They offer a great opportunity for broadening your perspective on communication, taking the emphasis off speech and fluency and bringing awareness to how the whole body is involved. The group so far is developing a strong, positive identity and it is a joy to see members shine as their confidence grows. BSA Scotland is delighted to work in partnership with TAG to champion the benefits of drama for people who stammer.”
FOR MORE DETAILS, IMAGES OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW CONTACT:
Helen Black, Marketing & Projects Officer (Citizens Learning & TAG):
Direct Line: 0141 418 6272 / 07850 078696 / helen.black@tag-theatre.co.uk
OR speak to my colleagues in marketing – Alison Martin (Marketing & Communications Manager) 0141 418 6235 / alison@citz.co.uk or Cat McNaught (Marketing & Communications Officer) 0141 418 6233 / cat@citz.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
PARTICIPATION
TAG is looking for young people who stammer to take part. If you are aged between 16 and 30, and would like to attend FREE weekly drama sessions, please contact Louise Brown on louise.brown@tag-theatre.co.uk or call 0141 418 6273.
CONTINUED SUPPORT
This invaluable support continues ScottishPower’s relationship with Glasgow’s famous theatre, following its sponsorship of Peter Pan in 2007.
TAG and CITIZENS THEATRE
TAG is a leading light in theatre for children and young people in Scotland. Founded in 1967 as Citizens Theatre for Youth, TAG grew from one of the most important theatres in the land to become a company which is now considered invaluable to many schools across the country.
TAG is a professional Scottish theatre company producing work for children and young people, enjoyed by all ages. TAG regularly tours high quality theatre productions to venues and schools, along with a diverse range of creative learning projects. Our work is designed to fire imaginations and ignite learning. TAG works in the UK and abroad.
The Citizens Theatre Ltd. which now incorporates all TAG and Citizens work offers the broadest range of theatrical work in Scotland; creating productions for main stage, studio theatres, regional touring and schools. The Citizens has nurtured two amateur theatre companies: the Citizens community company and the YOUNG Co., as well as bringing highest quality innovative education and participatory work to a groups around Glasgow and throughout the country. TAG’s Artistic Director, Guy Hollands is joint Artistic Director of the Citizens Theatre, alongside Jeremy Raison.
WEBSITES
TAG (part of the Citizens Theatre)
www.tag-theatre.co.uk
British Stammering Association (Scotland)
www.stammering.org/scotland/index.html
ScottishPower
www.scottishpower.com