A participatory theatre play and workshop for young people that explores young peoples’ issues.

“Al has moved to a new town pretty much like your town. This town has 36 nationalities and 44 languages.”

Al is on a journey that we all have to take sometime, a journey into new places, faces and problems.

“Al has started a new school. Al tries to make friends. Everything is a little strange. Some people do not like Al’s sort.”

Al the Alien is a participatory theatre play that tackles young peoples’ issues through the daily experiences of Al. As the days and weeks go by for Al, things go from bad to worse until Al is caught up in a situation where there is no escape.

Using forum theatre, members of the audience are invited to intervene at different points in Al’s story and try to change the course of events to reach a better conclusion. Young people suggest how Al should deal with prejudice and bullying and the actors improvise a response to the audiences’ suggestions. By considering alternatives to help Al young people can reflect on their own experiences and actions in the school environment and beyond.

“Because we are all made to feel like Al sometimes.”


Do you want to learn all about Dj’ing from the Pro’s? Learn to Dj Dance, Garage, Hardcore, Hip Hop/R n B any style. Includes mixing & scratching using vinyl or CD’s Each course explores the "Art of mixing music", is free and offers weekly workshops over a 3 month or 3 week period. Ideal for all, whether absolute beginners or DJs looking to develop their skills.

After successfully piloting in 2002 Just Addictive Music (JAM) is pleased to announce the official launch of Beats Diversity Workshops funded by The National Foundation for Youth Music and the Arts Council of England.
   

Al has problems that even Al didn’t know about. Who can Al go to for help? Which character can change things for Al? Will Al’s teacher or brother listen? Al certainly cannot get help from the bully who tries to get the audience on his side. Will the audience condone the bully’s actions with their silence? Al the Alien is framed within current research and includes statistics on racial abuse and assault. The show is accompanied by a sound track and MC who oversees the proceedings. Al the Alien is a show that is performed, devised and supported by a culturally diverse company that explores the following issues:

  • Racism and racial harassment.
  • Diversity and Cultural awareness.
  • Peer pressure and bullying.
  • Verbal abuse and Assault.
  • Disclosure and who to disclose too.
  • Moving to a new school/locale.

Each performance of the play works through the technique of forum theatre to explore decisions and consequences and attempts to find the most positive outcomes. This is followed by an after show workshop that unpacks the issues that the play raises in collaboration with the young people. The workshop is adaptable to the audience and looks at issues that the young people think are important to them based on their circumstances and experiences.