Whitworks Adventures in Theatre

Whitworks Adventures in Theatre (WAT) is a small Sheffield-based company that uses Drama, Theatre and Creative Writing to work with schools and communities. WAT’s work is always carefully designed to fit the school or community they are working with always promoting inclusion and diversity.

WAT works with children, young people and community groups shedding light on untold stories, forgotten voices and neglected narratives to create exciting, innovative and stimulating education, writing, drama and theatre experiences with, by and for young people and community groups.

WAT brings history and heritage to life so that children, young people and communities can engage positively, having access to knowledge and experiences that will inspire them. WAT actively involves children, young people and communities in research, creativity and creative collaboration thus promoting inclusion, equal opportunities and diversity alongside a genuine sense of belonging and ownership.

On a practical level this can mean:

• helping groups or schools to seek appropriate funding and support
• training and supporting children, young people and communities to research their histories
• bringing in academic support
• writing plays
• writing books
• writing schemes of work
• delivering local history stories in the curriculum
• creating and directing performances
• creating heritage walks

Follow this website link to find out WAT’s community projects and their publications. 

For schools

"Making drama and theatre is an essential part of being human. Participating helps us to express what we care about, and why; reminding us of who we are and what we can be.

Drama is a source for cultural capital, identity and heritage; it inspires us to take risks, think critically and builds social cohesion through collaboration. It can change and shape our lives through developing creativity, cognition, empathy and resilience."

National Drama Manifesto March 2020 

Drama is PSHE because its content is human behaviour, and its methods require the development of resilience, communication and teamwork skills.

Drama is English because it’s all about speaking and listening vital to the development of writing. Drama also facilitates “reading for meaning” as a wide variety of literature is frequently used – not just scripts.

Drama can be used across the curriculum as a method of delivery for many subjects.

With this in mind, WAT offers:

• A Drama Residency in primary or special schools to develop staff and student skills - 
• Primary Drama PPA cover to develop skills and support wider curriculum
• Creating Performances to help schools enable staff and students to produce a high-quality performance for their community 
• Play in a Day to give students a chance to experience a whole text practically while having fun -

WAT brings history and heritage to life giving children and young people experiences that will inspire them.

WAT also offers:

• Drama History days. Here are a few examples: Ancient Greece, WW1 and WW2 
• A focus on “alternative narratives” and “forgotten voices” (this often means women’s history such as Women’s Rights History featuring Isabel Cleghorn, the Sheffield Headmistress who became the first female President of the NUT in 1911. 
• Resource writing (often through Historic England or University partners)

Follow this website link to find out more about WAT’s Drama and History days.