Education and Community Arts
HAY THEATRE CIC
Launched in 2013, Hay Theatre CIC serves as an umbrella for the already successful Hay Youth Theatre 7-11 year olds, set up in 2009 and Hay Adult Theatre Studies ( HATS) set up in 2011 and Senior Youth Theatre set up in 2012 for teenagers . The first project, "Reflections " developed a Reminiscence Theatre group for senior citizens and created a new play based on their stories,
" Reflections on a Train Journey Home" performed across and by the inter-generational groups. Janine is currently Artistic Director, trustee, writer, workshop leader, budget and project manager. Sue Hodgetts is her partner in crime on most projects and is also trustee and business director , helping her set the company up as a CIC in 2013. They work closely with other community groups such as Hay Day Cafe for people with or at risk of dementia. They work together on obtaining grant funding for wide ranging projects and shows. Theatre by the people for the people.
Their recent triumphs post pandemic are Alice in Wonderland 2021 and A Midsummer Nights Dream 2022, site specific, promenade productions with a huge cast, age range 70-79 and set in a local ancient churchyard, travelling yew tree to yew tree. Simply magical!!! Funded by Co op community fund and Lottery Wales.
Hay Youth Theatre at the Globe in Hay recently moved to Cusop Village Hall. Hay-on-Wye
2008-ongoing. Founder, Director, Writer, Workshop Leader. Informal performances include: Stories from around the Globe, Come on in it's Lovely, Witches of Ealing, Scrooge, Cattitudes, When Santa got stuck in the Chimney, Little Darlin'. The Christmas Relief show 2013 ,Reflections on a Train Journey Home, reminiscence piece written by Janine with teenagers and the elderly, performing together on village hall tour 2013/14 The Mystery of Easter Egg Island Summer 2015 Junior youth show written by Janine, Catattax Summer Show and sequel Catattax Christmas special 2016.
Hay Theatre Club for Adults at the Globe in Hay now moved to Cusop Church just outside Hay.
2011 - ongoing. Founder/ director/writer/workshop leader. Performance at The Globe in Hay Christmas 2012: "Little Pink Spotty Riding Hoodie", "Scrooge" 2013, "Robin of Sherbert Forest "2014," Not Burns Night", Feb 6th 2016 .
"Henry V and The Battle of Agincourt" 2015 and 2016 at Hay Castle and Cusop Castle, especially adapted for Agincourt 600 commemoration.
Outreach Work
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Peterchurch Primary School, Longtown Primary and Michaelchurch Escely Primary , Herefordshire all benefitted from Janine 's special afterschool Drama clubs which involved especially written new plays based on the improvisations of the children. "Whatever happened to Uncle George? " "The House of Games", "The Trouble with Whitney", "Easter Egg Island" and "Catattax" Book adaptations include "The Last Wolf "and "My Teacher is an Alien".
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2012. Y. Art teenage project at Herefordshire Youth Clubs, funded by Herefordshire Council, resulted in a devised site specific show, "The Game "at Gilbies Restaurant and Close House in Hereford. Writer, director, workshop leader. Budget and management of funding for production costs.
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The British Council - Saudi Arabia
Nov 2011. Performer/writer and workshop leader for English as a Foreign Language. Performed for 6000 children in Riyadh, project manager Seamus Harkin.
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Music Pool, based at The Courtyard Theatre.
Nov 2010 - Jun 2011. The Stone Masons Tale. Celebrating 1000 years of Hereford Cathedral. Writer/workshop-leader working with The Cathedral School and allocated historical period, The Civil War in England. Play written and directed by Janine Sharp, The Invasion of Hereford Cathedral, which was performed in the Cathedral.
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The British Council. Sri Lanka.
" Confident Classroom Voices" 2010 delivered theatre skills workshops as an educational tool kit.The British Council Road show toured educational establishments in Southern Sri Lanka. The project manager was Seamus Harkin of the British Council .
The Courtyard Theatre.
Reminiscence Project, Story Train, Senior residents from The Golden Valley workshops interact with teenagers from Fairfield School. Performances of Story Train toured village halls along the Golden Valley railway route. Project leader/ writer/director/ workshop leader. Budget manager for Awards for All grant (£10,000). 2009-2010.
The Courtyard Club run by Music Pool. "Acting Up"Drama workshops for the elderly residents of Herefordshire. Workshop leader 2005-2011.
New Theatre Works at The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford. 2000 - 2008
Performer/writer/director/workshop leader and educational outreach.
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Work with adults challenged by Drug addiction at The Gideon Centre.
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Single parents support group at The Hollybush Centre.
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Family Learning South of the Wye.
