Derby Theatre is part of Connect Up
About Connect Up
Within the last few years, social, cultural and political divisions across our continent are growing constantly. It is obvious in all fields of society and is happening in most of the European countries. More and more under-represented social groups such as deprived, ethnic minorities or disabled people are excluded and left behind.
If this movement takes control of the younger generations as well, the future of Europe as a united continent is seriously in danger.
We, theatres, festivals and universities from 10 countries, all working in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), view this situation with great concern. We asked ourselves what we can do to make our vision of a united society at least within our auditoriums to become reality.
With ConnectUp we will set in place an international cultural initiative for the target group 12+ in order to counteract the process of increasing social and cultural division across Europe. Under the guidance of professional artists, young people of all social classes, cultural backgrounds and abilities will meet, work and share experiences in various theatre processes. Their minds will be encouraged to remain open to other people, cultures and life experiences. The common experience of theatre won’t solve all problems, but there has to be a beginning!
The ConnectUp partners includes:
ASSITEJ Norge (NO), Bialostocki Teatr Lalek (PL), Centar za kulturu Čakovec (HR), Cooperativa de Producao Artistica Teatro Animacao o Bando CRL (PT), Divadlo Alfa prispevkova organizace (CZ), Dschungel Wien – Theaterhaus für junges Publikum (AT), Elsinor Societa CS (IT), FITEI (PT), „Ich bin O.K.” – Kultur- und Bildungsverein der Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung (AT), Landesbühnen Sachsen (DE), Ljubljana Puppet Theatre
