M6 Theatre Company

M6 Youth Theatre provides opportunities for young people in Rochdale to develop their creative and life skills through participation in high quality theatre arts activities.

Through an innovative, accessible and collaborative approach, M6’s participatory youth theatre programme enables young people to:

Realise their full potential, celebrate their individuality and expand their perspectives
Learn the skills to make the theatre they want to make
Collaborate with inspirational artists from a range of art forms
Share their views and feelings in a creative, safe and supportive environment
Forge new friendships that cross social and cultural divides
Develop meaningful relationships with regional, national and international youth arts organisations

“You get to do new things and meet new people. I just really enjoy it. I’ve been coming for 2 ½ years and it gets better every time.” Youth Theatre, Participant

M6 Youth Theatre’s Programme includes:

Weekly youth theatre sessions for a age groups 8-12 and 13-19 at M6’s Studio theatre

Creation, development and delivery of youth theatre productions

Holiday theatre arts projects

Participation in festivals, conferences and cultural events

OUTREACH PROJECTS

M6’s Outreach Programme successfully engages some of the most marginalised young people in our communities by actively creating a positive impact on their lives. Creative arts projects are delivered in schools and a wide range of local community settings. Empowerment of young people underpins all of M6’s work and this is realised in the Outreach Programme by:

Carefully matching the needs of the specific groups to the most appropriate and accessible art forms

Adapting the content of these sessions to the specific needs of each group

Sensitively balancing the need for fun activities with creative learning in each group - to encourage a greater understanding of themselves, their relationships and the complex world in which they live.

Using creative arts techniques to assist young people to build an ‘emotional toolkit’, integrating:

   Negotiation skills
   Communication skills
   Problem solving skills
   Coping strategies

Linking different social and cultural groups in a shared creative and enjoyable activity to promote social cohesion and greater understanding of others
Offering opportunities to share skills and achievements with peers, families, teachers and the wider community

" M6's skilled staff and impressive new venue have allowed us to add extra dimensions to drama based approaches to youth work. Young people have been able to express their views, ideas and talents in more creative and innovative ways, gaining valuable skills, experience and self confidence."

Des Andrew - Senior Youth Officer, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council