Two brand new projects for 20 Stories High with young musicians and young playwrights.
20 Stories High have had a busy Autumn working on two brand new projects, both led by Co-Artistic Director Keith Saha.
The first, 20 Stories High Sound System is a music collective comprised of beatboxers, singers and a guitarist. They have been developing songs based around telling stories and working in the studio with local singer Spokazi. Now they are hosting WINTER MELTDOWN, a celebration of local emerging music talent at Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool. Entrance is by donation to keep funding this work in the future.
Some of the young participants spoke about their involvement, Josh Enakpoma said; “20 Stories High Sound System has really helped me a lot with the way I see performing (in a good way). I am proud to be part of it!”
And Jasmine Small also from 20 Stories High Sound System said;“It’s an amazing opportunity for young people – it’s not something we get to do every day. Lots of young people aspire to doing stuff like this, but have to wait a long time or never get the chance”
Meanwhile 20 Stories High Young Writers have been busy developing new pieces of work for theatre. This second new group is supported by an award from the National Theatre. Young people from around the city have been writing their own short plays based on 20 Stories Highs’ ethos of “Everybody’s got a story to tell and their own away of telling it”. The stories cover a wide range of themes including; young people and depression, a young Trans boy trying to come out and the experience of a young woman who discovers her father is a people trafficker. This project culminates in a private performance of the plays by professional actors to friends and family.
Owen Jones, a member of the Young Writers group said; “This is an experience most actors and performers don’t get, and working with professional writers is amazing. It’s a boss way for us to express what we feel and think about different topics, and develop our own way of saying what we need to say #weareallstoriesintheend “
Co-Artistic Director Keith Saha said; “We are so made up that both of these projects have finally taken off. Over the past 10 years we have been making theatre with young people who have been desperate to develop their musical and writing talents, and in our 10th birthday year we have managed to set both groups up. Hopefully we can continue to develop both of these in the future.”
