Department Spotlight: a guest blog post written by Annie Cullen from our Creative Engagement department.
The Creative Engagement team at the Mercury Theatre reaches many different communities across Essex – whether it be through our Youth Theatre or toddler groups happening in our building, drama workshops in wider areas of Essex or organising the Colchester Christmas light switch on parade. Our team engages with over 33,000 participants a year.
As Engagement Producer, it has been really exciting to deliver a wide range of these projects and to see the considerable impact of their work across our community. Much of our work is funded by organisations such as Arts Council England and Essex County Council.
The Mercury’s MYC in the Community work is one of these funded projects and has been made possible through the National Lottery’s Million Hours Fund. This 2 year project aims to build confidence and self-esteem, and to provide young people across Essex with opportunities to upskill and widen their horizons.
The project started in April 2024 and consists of free drama provision for young people in Basildon, Colchester and Clacton, in partnership with the Youth Service. In addition to this, we hold a group at the theatre for young people aged 18-25 with SEND, who participate in drama and performance skills sessions.
The groups have had the opportunity to come into the theatre for an industry day where they attended a workshop in our rehearsal space and had a tour of the theatre. Our industry days provide a really great insight into the wide variety of different career opportunities available in theatre – from technical roles, to front of house positions, Marketing, Finance and production.
We were really pleased to invite the groups to attend our Panto open dress rehearsal, and to provide the transport for them to come along.
As we reach the end of this funding and as a celebration of the whole project, we have recently arranged for all four groups to come and perform on the main stage at the theatre at a showcase event, performed in front of an audience made up of their family and friends. Over the last term, each group has chosen and rehearsed a piece, complete with music, dance, props, and costumes. It was inspiring to see the variety of work they have put together and brought to perform with talent and commitment. All of our groups embraced this challenge with energy and bravery – it takes a lot of courage to stand on stage in front of a large audience, and they performed brilliantly.
This has been a hugely successful project for the Creative Engagement team and we are really proud of all the young people who have taken part. We are actively looking to renew this funding to continue the great work of MYC in the Community.
On Tuesday 17th March, we are really pleased to be a part of the Big Give campaign for matched funding for our MYC SEND group to continue. The campaign runs from 17th March to Tuesday 24th March – keep an eye out for it on our socials and support if you can! Every £1 donated is match funded so your donation has twice the impact.
If you would like any further information about any of the great work we do in Creative Engagement at the Mercury, please get in touch at [email protected]
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