Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland In brief Date - 13 April 2024 Venue - Traverse Theatre Research strand - Class Act Buy your ticket on Traverse's website About the event In Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland, students are transformed into storytellers. They will receive creative support and a safe space to express themselves and imagine without inhibition. Their stories are what they feel passionate about and they decide which are the ones to tell. Although their writing may not result in direct reflections of global events, the creative writing process will allow participants the chance to reflect freely – and, crucially, together – on their experiences during this unprecedented time. This special edition of Class Act builds upon the longstanding relationships between the Traverse Theatre and three acclaimed international playwrights – Nicola McCartney (English Literature), Sara Shaarawi, and Natalya Vorozhbyt (travelling from Ukraine) and will work with Ukrainian young people currently living in Scotland to unlock their creative talent and potential, with the support of the University of Edinburgh. These young people, aged 11-19, will participate in an intensive, week-long series of workshops. They will spend five days working-up scripts and developing stories in a uniquely supported environment. At the end of the week, each script will be brought to life by a team of professional theatre-makers including directors, actors, filmmakers and musicians to tell these urgent stories and celebrate the voices of the young people of Ukraine. Come and see the power of storytelling in action, as Class Act brings another cohort of young people together and amplifies their important voices in our community. The project is directed by Robbie Gordon, and the cast includes Maureen Beattie, Matthew Zajac, Vera Graziadei, Dmitry Everdeen, Michael Dylan, Cindy Awor and Charlotte Driessler. Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland is delivered in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB). About Class Act Working within the field of Applied Theatre, Nicola McCartney (English Literature) has developed a unique, research-led methodology that helps people affected by conflict or inequality to better interpret and address their life circumstances. Her research has underpinned the significant international expansion of Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre’s flagship education project Class Act which, since 2016, has developed 55 new plays by 120 young people working with various cultural practitioners in Russia, Ukraine and India. McCartney is an official ambassador for the programme. In June 2016, McCartney co-led the first Class Act in Kyiv with Natalya Vorozhbit successfully bringing together young people from East and West Ukraine following the country’s divisive revolution and the invasion of Russia into Crimea. What followed between 2016 and 2018 was the development and performance of 30 new plays by 60 young people, a body of work that underpinned the future international direction of the Class Act programme. The initiative for Class Act Kiev came from a group of Ukrainian playwrights, led by Natalya Vorozhbyt. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent war, millions of Ukrainians are displaced and there is a substantial community of child asylum seekers in Edinburgh’s schools. Together, McCartney and Vorozbhyt are staging a targeted Class Act with some of those young people to help them write about and process their experiences of fleeing conflict, using trauma-informed practice. How to attend This event is open to all, and costed. Tickets are available to buy on the Traverse Theatre's website. There are two performances of the plays on Saturday 13 April, both approximately an hour long - one starting at 2pm and the other at 5pm. Buy your ticket on Traverse's website Are you interested in studying English Literature at LLC? Based in the first UNESCO City of Literature, we are home to the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world. Study with us and you'll explore the varying and vital roles that literary writing plays in our lives and societies. We offer a range of single and joint honours undergraduate degrees, taught postgraduate degrees, and research-led pathways, including MSc by Research degrees and PhDs. Find out more about English Literature at LLC Apr 13 2024 14.00 - 18.00 Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland Join us in association with Traverse Theatre for two performances of plays written by Ukrainian young people living in Scotland as part of a week-long intensive playwriting course. Traverse 2 Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street Edinburgh EH1 2ED Find the venue on Traverse's website Book your ticket on Traverse's website
Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland In brief Date - 13 April 2024 Venue - Traverse Theatre Research strand - Class Act Buy your ticket on Traverse's website About the event In Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland, students are transformed into storytellers. They will receive creative support and a safe space to express themselves and imagine without inhibition. Their stories are what they feel passionate about and they decide which are the ones to tell. Although their writing may not result in direct reflections of global events, the creative writing process will allow participants the chance to reflect freely – and, crucially, together – on their experiences during this unprecedented time. This special edition of Class Act builds upon the longstanding relationships between the Traverse Theatre and three acclaimed international playwrights – Nicola McCartney (English Literature), Sara Shaarawi, and Natalya Vorozhbyt (travelling from Ukraine) and will work with Ukrainian young people currently living in Scotland to unlock their creative talent and potential, with the support of the University of Edinburgh. These young people, aged 11-19, will participate in an intensive, week-long series of workshops. They will spend five days working-up scripts and developing stories in a uniquely supported environment. At the end of the week, each script will be brought to life by a team of professional theatre-makers including directors, actors, filmmakers and musicians to tell these urgent stories and celebrate the voices of the young people of Ukraine. Come and see the power of storytelling in action, as Class Act brings another cohort of young people together and amplifies their important voices in our community. The project is directed by Robbie Gordon, and the cast includes Maureen Beattie, Matthew Zajac, Vera Graziadei, Dmitry Everdeen, Michael Dylan, Cindy Awor and Charlotte Driessler. Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland is delivered in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB). About Class Act Working within the field of Applied Theatre, Nicola McCartney (English Literature) has developed a unique, research-led methodology that helps people affected by conflict or inequality to better interpret and address their life circumstances. Her research has underpinned the significant international expansion of Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre’s flagship education project Class Act which, since 2016, has developed 55 new plays by 120 young people working with various cultural practitioners in Russia, Ukraine and India. McCartney is an official ambassador for the programme. In June 2016, McCartney co-led the first Class Act in Kyiv with Natalya Vorozhbit successfully bringing together young people from East and West Ukraine following the country’s divisive revolution and the invasion of Russia into Crimea. What followed between 2016 and 2018 was the development and performance of 30 new plays by 60 young people, a body of work that underpinned the future international direction of the Class Act programme. The initiative for Class Act Kiev came from a group of Ukrainian playwrights, led by Natalya Vorozhbyt. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent war, millions of Ukrainians are displaced and there is a substantial community of child asylum seekers in Edinburgh’s schools. Together, McCartney and Vorozbhyt are staging a targeted Class Act with some of those young people to help them write about and process their experiences of fleeing conflict, using trauma-informed practice. How to attend This event is open to all, and costed. Tickets are available to buy on the Traverse Theatre's website. There are two performances of the plays on Saturday 13 April, both approximately an hour long - one starting at 2pm and the other at 5pm. Buy your ticket on Traverse's website Are you interested in studying English Literature at LLC? Based in the first UNESCO City of Literature, we are home to the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world. Study with us and you'll explore the varying and vital roles that literary writing plays in our lives and societies. We offer a range of single and joint honours undergraduate degrees, taught postgraduate degrees, and research-led pathways, including MSc by Research degrees and PhDs. Find out more about English Literature at LLC Apr 13 2024 14.00 - 18.00 Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland Join us in association with Traverse Theatre for two performances of plays written by Ukrainian young people living in Scotland as part of a week-long intensive playwriting course. Traverse 2 Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street Edinburgh EH1 2ED Find the venue on Traverse's website Book your ticket on Traverse's website
Apr 13 2024 14.00 - 18.00 Class Act: Ukraine in Scotland Join us in association with Traverse Theatre for two performances of plays written by Ukrainian young people living in Scotland as part of a week-long intensive playwriting course.
