Speak Up is a new secondary school programme that aims to inspire a movement of young people, who want to speak up about the issues that matter to them – in their schools, their communities and nationally. Theatre Royal Wakefield are proud to be a Speak Up partner

Young people will work collaboratively with their teachers, artists, local arts organisations and the National Theatre to make local artworks and creative projects.

This innovative programme has been developed for young people who have been most affected by the pandemic and whose voices are not always heard.

Speak Up takes place in areas of low arts engagement where there is an inequality of access to opportunities for young people.

Schools in Wakefield are selected by Theatre Royal Wakefield and the National Theatre.

Speak Up is a co-created programme where young people, teachers and artists are equal partners.

Young people will be supported and nurtured to become the leaders of the future, putting them at the heart of the creative process and decision making.

Teachers will become opportunity seekers and actively find ways that Speak Up can shape the culture of their school.

Artists will collaboratively and equitably make work without any predetermined outcomes.

Arts organisations will use this programme to meaningfully shape how those with less power can have genuine agency within their organisations.  

Over three years Speak Up will engage with 140,000 young people in 55 selected secondary schools nationwide. Together we will inspire each other to find new ways to think, see and bring about change individually and in the world. 

To see some examples of the work made with and by Speak Up young people click here.

NEW! Read our comic book evaluative report reflecting on the pilot phase of Speak Up 2021-2022.

This report is a tool to show the story of what we discovered during the pilot phase of Speak Up in 2021-22. Inspired by the Speak Up groups across England and their love of anime, we have used a comic book style to engage young people in our evaluation of the programme.

Follow our character ‘Hero’ as they take us through the three areas where we piloted the programme: Sunderland, Wakefield and Rochdale. Discover what we learnt using co-creation in schools.

Read the Speak Up pilot phase report here

Illustrations by India Buxton.

Call Out for Artists

Over the next three years, we will be looking to connect with artists from a range of art forms to work alongside teachers and students in our Speak Up schools. We want to meet beatboxers, dancers, poets, illustrators, theatre makers, composers, singers, circus artists, designers and the list goes on!

Co-creation is all about making work alongside others through collaboration; do you have those skills? Have a read of the questions below and keep an eye out for our next recruitment event which will be advertised here, or email Gemma to register your interest in finding out more.

Do you have knowledge, understanding and experience of co-creation processes and methodology?

Can you ensure transparency, honesty and fairness through the co-created enquiry, research, making, sharing and reflecting processes?

Can you be flexible and responsive while working to a creative brief with deadlines?

Can you be thoughtful, reflective, and responsive to information and experiences shared by young people?

If you have any questions about working as an artist in one of our Wakefield Speak Up schools or to register your interest to find out more, please email Speak Up Producer Gemma Woffinden on speak.up@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk or phone the office on 01924 215531 to leave your details and request Gemma gives you a ring back