Addressing the issue of citizenship with children and young people is tremendously important but extremely challenging, writes Helen Black. It’s fairly easy to find arts projects dealing with issues such as racism and bullying; but finding projects which look at citizenship and the issues connected with life in contemporary society is much more difficult.
In 1997 TAG Theatre Company’s then Artistic Director, James Brining, began to brainstorm ideas for projects around a political theme, inspired by the vote for devolution in Scotland. This momentous occasion provided the spark for TAG’s project, Making the Nation (MTN). What turned out to be a four-year venture encompassing eight distinct projects, started very simply from James’ wish to direct Antigone and Julius Caesar. In keeping with TAG’s tradition of providing educational support, a number of participatory elements were then devised to reflect issues of involvement and commitment to society.
MTN was launched in 1999 as a drama and democracy project aimed at engaging children and young people throughout Scotland with issues around devolution and citizenship. It included participatory events, a cultural theatre exchange, an international festival and a selection of plays. By programming a wide range of activities in a variety of locations (primary and secondary schools, venues, overseas and in the Scottish Parliament), TAG was able to engage with the widest cross-section of individuals. Each project had its own aims and implications but the impact of MTN extended beyond young people in Scotland and made an impression on the Scottish political community.
Devolution in Scotland provided a perfect opportunity to address citizenship with young Scots, but some of MTN’s elements offered resources to which one could return and would be relevant over time. These resources examine ideas such as rights, respect, democracy, voting, belonging and identity. There are problems common to the organisation of any theatre tour or participatory project but in terms of the problems specific to MTN, the main one would have to be a lack of control over the use of the resources after completion. Although much of the work had elements of self-sustainability, it sometimes felt as if the impact wouldn’t last beyond the scope of the project. To encourage further use TAG has made as many of its educational resources available online as possible. Many projects were oversubscribed. This seems in part because it is seen as incredibly difficult to engage young people in these issues. Theatre and drama offer a sensitive and imaginative way to holistically explore the impact and importance of issues around democracy in Scotland.
In Scotland organisations such as Scottish Youth Parliament and Youth Link are essential in disseminating information, guiding decision-making, and offering a strong platform to influence legislation. TAG’s project complemented this work by approaching the young people themselves to encourage personal responsibility. It’s vital to acknowledge the ability of children and young people to bring about change themselves.
TAG will build on MTN, by exploring human rights and responsibilities, ethical enterprise and society on a global scale in its new project, Global Citizens. In an eight-week residency (and in-service session), TAG will use drama to explore complex issues with pupils and ensure continuation by providing a tool kit of techniques for teachers.
Helen Black is Marketing and Press Co-ordinator for TAG Theatre Company. For full details of the projects which featured in Making the Nation; w: http://www.tag-theatre.co.uk/ projects_past.cfm