Impact Report 2022-2023

17 IMPACT REPORT

Participation at The North Wall

Children, young people and families are at the heart of The North Wall’s participation programme. The North Wall programmes family shows for NW Explorers (children aged 7 and under) throughout the year, with free ‘stay and play’ sessions for everyone attending. North Wall Inventors (for 8 - 11 year olds) exists to nurture and feed children’s curiosity and offer the space to experiment with ideas and imagination. We run workshops and courses during the school holidays, from printmaking to puppetry and stop motion animation to drama. YouthLab aims to inspire and empower young people aged 12-17 who are passionate about the arts and to encourage self-expression, working collectively and developing a craft. We offer workshops, masterclasses and performance opportunities in dance, theatre, music and visual arts, running during the school holidays. Arts in the Park focuses on delivering free workshops, performances and projects in and around Cutteslowe Park, with and for the community. Over the last year we have:

ArtsLab is The North Wall’s artist development programme for early-career artists, which aims to foster excellence and support early-career talent from across the UK. We create a nurturing environment where artists can challenge themselves to grow their practice and flourish through residencies, workshops and mentorship. Highlights from the last year include: Catalyst Easter Residency Catalyst is a two-week residency, providing a framework of support for early-career writers and directors to develop their craft, to progress their work and to establish a strong network of peer creatives. Goya Theatre new musical This summer our ArtsLab graduate company developed and previewed their new musical Four Felons and a Funeral ahead of its Edinburgh debut. The show’s director and writer Sam Woof was named as one of this year’s Fringe Five, recognised as a breakthrough theatre-maker. Lung Theatre new dance production LUNG spent four weeks at The North Wall creating their new show Woodhill , which uncovers the explosive true story of life in UK’s prisons, told through the eyes of families of prisoners and people who work there. The show went on to receive five-star reviews and several awards at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and will tour to London and Oxford this Autumn. Brown Boys Swim tour and workshop programme ArtsLab graduate Karim Khan was commissioned by The North Wall in 2020. After the huge success of The North Wall’s production of his award-winning play Brown Boys Swim at the Edinburgh Festival, the show embarked on a national tour, including runs in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and a return to The North Wall.

Run 3 community projects

Delivered 33 YouthLab workshops and masterclasses Collaborated with 10 Schools and colleges Worked with 2 , 736 different participants Produced a 3-day festival with the National Theatre

162 bursary places

Hosted 15 work experience placements Launched 2 weekly youth theatre groups