Synergy Theatre Project

Description

Founded over 20 years ago, Synergy Theatre Project creates ground-breaking work across theatre and the criminal justice system. The project holds that theatre can be transformative, change perceptions and open up new possibilities towards a more positive future. Its vision is to work through theatre towards a fairer world in which those within, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system can discover alternate pathways and become an integral and meaningful part of society. Its programme of artistic work draws on the energy and life experiences of the people it works with (prisoners, ex-prisoners, young offenders and young people at risk of offending) giving them a voice and, in doing so, their dignity back. The project works to influence the arts and criminal justice sectors towards systemic change, and provides practical opportunities that develop participants' skills, capabilities and resilience, build a bridge from prison to social reintegration, support rehabilitation, and seek to prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system. Its activity spans four strands: theatre productions in prisons, theatres, schools, alternative provision and non-traditional venues; an adult programme offering theatre-based training to prisoners and ex-prisoners leading to placements and employment; a young people's programme of touring productions, projects and workshops for young people at risk of offending; and role-play training for criminal justice sector professionals led by ex-prisoner actor facilitators.

Currently active

Yes

Offers funding

Yes, this infrastructure provides funding in the following categories:

Founding year

2000

Contact details

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Categorisation

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Partner Infrastructures

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A was the first museum in the world to establish a dedicated Research Department and it continues to be a core activity of the Museum today. It plays a leading role in binding together the f… read more about Victoria and Albert Museum

London

Additional Partnerships

Theatres: Royal Court, Young Vic, Tricycle, Unicorn, Soho, Hampstead, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Ipswich New Wolsey, Birmingham Rep, West Yorkshire Playhouse. Venues: Roundhouse, Royal Opera House, Somerset House. Prisons: numerous HMPs (Brixton, Pentonville, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs, Feltham, Highpoint, The Mount, and others). Education: Westminster Kingsway College, Hackney Community College, and named schools/PRUs. Other: Millwall FC Community Scheme; Youth Offending Services/Teams; Music in Prisons; Koestler Trust; The Forgiveness Project. Looked After Children services.