Blackpool Grand Launches Story Squad – Offering opportunities to enjoy, participate and learn through theatre.

Using our stories on stage to strengthen resilience, creative skills, and positive experiences for local Blackpool young people.

The Story Squad project puts young people’s voices front and centre on and off stage. Over 100 young people are involved in our ‘Story Squad’ project where they are working with artists, theatre companies, digital animators, songwriters and the Grand’s team to make and share stories that are important to them. They will be taking part in over 50 free creative workshops.

To make and tell stories of resilience, stories of hope, stories full of life.

So far their stories have reflected their experience of lockdown and now as we move forward this project will offer new opportunities to share what is important to them. On the way, they will be inspired by the stories on our stage and learn new skills through a range of holiday workshops to help them tell their own. The project kicks off in person in the October half term and will run during all the holiday periods.

This two-year Story Squad project is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and their new story; ‘#TikTrapped’ which explores the impact of social media during the lockdown, and how they felt trapped in their screens. They have also produced a story of lockdown called; ‘Hope in Isolation.’

The Grand is proud to work with our local partners on the Story Squad project, The Magic Club, Boathouse Youth, Blackpool Carers Centre, Social Services and Blackpool and the Fylde College. We are also working with young people who are experiencing life in a range of care settings. This team of youth and engagement workers have taken part in training with the Grand Theatre and have supported the young people who have helped to shape this project.

The ‘Story Squad’ goes live in October half term with a range of workshops inspired by’ ‘Around the World in 80s Days’ where they will be looking back and getting inspired by the music, dance, and culture of the 80s as they start to reconnect with each other at the Grand.

Story Squad © Blackpool Grand Theatre, October 2021