Workshops

Being based in the National Forest, it is abundantly clear how nature and woodland can boost the health and wellbeing of individuals. Particularly during lockdown, the need to connect with nature has been overwhelming, both here in the UK and across the globe.  

This Spring, we will run a series of drama and creativity workshops in the National Forest parks and outdoor spaces. These are targeted at children and young people who live in the area and have an interest in the creative arts and/or nature. By combining the local landscape and rich resources of outdoor spaces with a variety of performance-based activities, a combination of drama, music, singing, dance and prop making will take place. The aim is to upcycle and reuse found items to create musical instruments, set, props and even costumes. 

We believe these workshops in the National Forest will have many benefits:

• Art is proven to improve wellbeing

• Bringing artistic and creative practices together with the joy and uplift that comes from being in nature is a powerful combination that improves health and wellbeing

• The activity will be centred on the outdoors, nature and the appreciation of the natural world. This is inherently linked to both climate action and a sense of place

• Whilst appreciating nature it must be pointed out that if we do not make changes very soon to the way we live, these wonderful resources on our doorstep could be destroyed through pollution, development, and overuse

• Keeping climate change issues on the agenda is very important and future generations can lead that movement if they value the area in which they live

• Being situated here in the National Forest provides an excellent opportunity to explore a sense of place and how the area fits into a larger context

If you are age 8-25 and can travel to North West Leicestershire for free drama/making sessions in the National Forest, get in touch by email (Samantha@purpletheatre.co.uk), Facebook or Twitter.