Co-creation as R&D: Children’s ideas at the ‘heart and start’

The idea of co-creation has been floating around for a while. We talk a lot about it at Travelling Light, but what does it really mean to involve children in R&D in a deeper way than just a workshop?

We have spent the last year in R&D for two new pieces, asking just that. I have seen, heard and read about wonderful projects across the country that were co-created, but I often wonder… how? Was it co-produced, co-curated, co-consulted or co-created? And what are the different ways of doing that – and does it matter?

With these questions running through my mind, I decided to continue this research but also delve into developing the work. What felt new and exciting was to have the children’s ideas at the heart and start. Rather than inviting them to be part of an idea/story/adaptation, we asked them what they wanted to make and see, and how we could help them do it.

Trusting the children’s imaginations

After seven-months developing a new piece with our youth theatre – for our Winter Lights project – we invited young people into the rehearsal room with a professional production team including actors, a director, a musician and a dramaturg. We asked them, based on what you have been exploring, what would you like to explore more? And what didn’t you get to explore? A few key themes emerged.

Our end goal was a piece of work to take to primary school – which is what local schools and the community had said they wanted. Day one felt slightly terrifying, not knowing what was going to happen. We trusted the room – and most importantly, the children’s imaginations – supported by a team of artists skilled at devising with child-led creative play.

We enjoyed a week of rich, creative, bonkers and brilliant play with children working as artists alongside professionals. There were also in-depth conversation and interrogation. By the time we had completed the phase of taking these ideas into schools and working with pupils, we had a much clearer picture of what this piece could be. The process itself created a ready-made audience of young people who couldn’t wait to see their ideas turned into a show they could watch and participate in.

Uncertain steps ahead

In our early years-work, we are exploring how the boundaries of performance and play can get blurred. We are immersing ourselves in creative play opportunities in early years settings and in sessions for local families.

Our R&D for this work started with 0–3-year-olds, a provocation of materials and an invitation to play. We tested the boundaries of child-led play and pop-up performances, embracing the chaos of 20 two-year-olds leading the way.

The next step is still uncertain. We need to bring everything together into the rehearsal room and navigate the practicalities of making it work on tour. The school bookings are pencilled in, and early years settings are willing, but arts project funding and budgets in education are precarious.

Giving children a voice

But now we have tested the waters, I have been looking outwards. Instead of just reading about and watching work, I’ve been having conversations with other theatre makers to see how they are doing it. It has been a delight to learn about different models of practice.

Some highlights have been seeing the care and creative freedom encouraged at Theatre Hullabaloo in Darlington, as part of their Place to Play project; talking to Half Moon about their artform development programme and the alignment of their creative learning work with professional productions; and some rich, honest conversations with friends in the PYA (Performance for Young Audiences) sector, exploring durational performance and play for babies and very young children.

We are not alone in our questioning. Most would agree that what they want from co-creation at the R&D phase are: collaboration, shared power and bringing together different experiences, ideas and solutions. But this is nuanced and delicate. We believe in giving children a voice and valuing their input – but as the adults, we still have to make decisions.

We will continue to test and learn – and make mistakes. Although not all work has to be co-created, there should be a place for children to experience something beautiful no matter what their involvement. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see more original work from young people’s imaginations, expressing their artistic selves – work that is truly for them.