Early Years Creativity

KINDLING CASE STUDYEARLY YEARS IN SOMERSET@ The Octagon Theatre with Take Art

@ The Octagon Theatre, with Take Art

The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil has been one of the key Somerset Arts Organisations to actively develop its relationship with the Early Years sector and has a growing reputation for its family friendly policy, which has been sparked through a strong partnership with the Take Art project, Little Big Bang.

Lead Creative Practitioner Hannah Lefeuvre has worked directly with The Octagon on Little Big Bang, initiating regular dance workshops that celebrate grandparents and children and support The Octagon’s keen interest in inter-generational work.

International Early Years theatre shows by ‘De Molecula’ from Spain and ‘La Baracca’ from Italy have been programmed alongside the more traditional but equally popular performances of Little Red Hen and The Gruffalo. Hannah and The Octagon have also created welcoming pre-show foyer activities, where children can play with the hen’s oats or discover woodland ornaments from the Gruffalo’s home, interactions which help to build a sense of welcome and familiarity.

In April 2011, The Octagon and Take Art hosted The Bigger Bang Symposium, examining ‘creativity in the early years, the role of the artist practitioner in Early Years settings and their relationship with the wider arts community’.

The Bigger Bang included workshops, international performance and research presentations from the Little Big Bang project, and was attended by 70 local and national artists and arts organisations, Early Years practitioners, policy makers and specialists. More information about this event can be found at www.takeart.org

www.octagon-theatre.co.uk

LITTLE ELEPHANTS AND BIGGER BANGS

Photo Credits: Hannah Lefeuvre & Philly Page