Dear Young Vic: a snapshot of a year in letters

A YEAR OF TAKING PART
Each year, our Taking Part team delivers an ambitious
programme, engaging the UK’s leading theatre artists to
create work for and with our local community. Taking Part
produce work responsive to the people they work with,
helping our community to develop their creative skills, build
meaningful relationships, and ultimately tell compelling stories
about the world we live in.
Since the pandemic began, projects pivoted to taking place
online and in the digital world, with freelance creative teams
– from musicians and writers, to directors, sound designers,
and animators – working on each project with participants.
Projects were developed which could be shared via post for
those without access to technology. The team also helped our
community partner Blackfriars Settlement deliver weekly
meals to those shielding using the Young Vic van.
"Theatre has been such an archaic industry and
this has been a moment when we’ve had to
change the way we work, think differently and
incorporate new ways of working into our
practice. Many of these changes will be
permanent and we need to make sure they are,
because they extend theatre’s accessibility and
change our relationships for the better.”
Shereen Jasmin Phillips, Director of Taking Part
speaking to The Stage newspaper
Spotlight On: Write From Home
This programme gave participants an introduction to the
art of playwrighting, with packs posted or emailed out.
"I keep using the resource packs when I get stuck in a
writing rut. They've been so helpful at getting out of my
head and onto the page and having that confidence and
guidance as a writer in a time when everyone's motivation
is so clearly lacking has been amazing."
Write From Home Participant