dab Arts have set up Hastings Youth Theatre. If you are aged between 12-25 and are interested in taking part in workshops, performing, helping, or just want more information, please contact us. We also run Acting Up for adults of any age.
  For details of latest workshops and shows see news  
     
  Hastings Youth Theatre  
 

dab Arts youth theatre is temporarily closed but will be starting up again in Xtrax asap. Watch this space.
     
  ROOFLESS: 'a modern day piece that highlights the complexities of youth homelessness'.  
 

Commissioned by PULSE for performances this autumn to small audiences of young people and those who work with them, ROOFLESS has been extensively researched by Christine Hamar-Brown, assisted by Rebecca Ellis. They interviewed many young people who have been affected by lack of housing, some in hostels others talking about their experiences in the system. Also interviewed were agency workers from both the Statutary and Voluntary sectors and parents. Christine wrote the script from this research using verbatim theatre techniques while ensuring anonymity for those who participated. Rebecca is director and production manager. They are working in close contact with Claire Stubbs form PULSE to produce a piece of drama that will have an insight into the underlying causes of youth homelessness and will hopefully lead to it's reduction.

The performance features 4 young people who take on many roles describing common situations, interspersed with video clips of interviews with actors speaking the words of other young people, voluntary and statutary sector workers, parents etc. which may form the basis of an information dvd.

The performances are scheduled for half term week; October 27th, 29th, 30th 31st at 11.30am and 2.30pm, Sussex Hall, White Rock Theatre, Hastings and tickets are free. For more information or to book a ticket please contact Claire Stubbs 07980 906266 or Rebecca Ellis 07886 943577.

dab Arts are casting for the roles of the 4 main characters this September. You will need to be able to play 18 - 24 yr age range, and be available for rehearsals in the 2 weeks prior to the performance dates above, and also for the week after when ROOFLESS will be going into schools. There is a fee. Please phone Rebecca: 07886 943577.

     
  Commissions and Additions  
  dab Arts devised a 20 minute piece for PULSE in 2004, to be shown at a conference for youth and health workers on the subject of Self Harm and Eating Disorders. Working with 5 members of the youth theatre with either direct or indirect experience Jan Maloney, script writer and Judy Dewsbery, visual artist, conducted a series of sessions separate from the main youth theatre and SHED was born. We have performed it in East and West Sussex as well as at the Young Minds Conference 'See Beyond the Label' in London, July 2006'. It was accompanied by a video made by dab Arts (SHH!, by Jan Maloney and Nikki Joy) containing interviews with young people who have had experience of self harm and talk frankly about it. SHED gives the experience of self harm from the perspective of the young people; please contact us on judy@dabarts.com for information regarding performance cost, availability etc.
 

dab Arts also produced ‘Testing Time’, about teenage pregnancy. It has been performed at one conference on the subject (November 30th 2005, Horntye Hastings) and is currently being developed as a tool for forum theatre.

Jen Cross, a member of dab Arts youth theatre from the start in 2002, has written a play concerning the experiences of alcohol and drugs, which is still in script stage. We’re looking forward to developing this with Jen.