Pathways to Performance & Google
In partnership with Google, we engaged with local schools to introduce them to the world of theatre production.
We recently welcomed a group of sixteen Transition Year students from our local community for the Google/Lir Pathways to Performance Project. Over a week, the students learned the ins-and-outs of theatre production, leading up to a live performance on their final day. They explored every corner of the craft, learning about costume design, lighting, sound, scenic construction, and dedicated rehearsal room acting sessions.
Supported by funding from Google.org, the one-week programme offered students from local school a completely free, immersive experience into the full ecology of theatre making. The programme proved access to to students whom might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with theatre training, hopefully sparking a passion for the arts, and encourage theatre practitioners of the future!
The students from different schools came together to collaborate and deliver a full production. Guided by acting tutors, students studied improvisation and performance, which helped them step out of their comfort zones, leave daily insecurities behind, and express themselves while making new friends. Simultaneously, technical tutors trained students in stage management, special effects, costume design, lighting console programming, and industry-standard sound software like QLab. This hands-on experience allowed students to see how the disciplines blend together.
The programme provided a rare opportunity to actively perform or work in a production role by the end of a single week. Beyond fostering personal development and helping young people see themselves reflected in the arts, the initiative highlighted viable career paths in the dramatic arts.
You can watch a video about the project below.