Theatrical skills boost for Swansea school pupils

Pupils from 12 schools across Swansea will be having the chance to learn about working in the theatre and performing live on stage thanks to a special partnership between Swansea Council and Gower College Swansea.

The annual Primary Partners 2016 event comes to Swansea Grand Theatre on June 16 and 17 to give hundreds of youngsters the ultimate arts work experience.

And after a day behind the scenes and treading the boards they will be performing in front of an audience including proud family and friends in a show hosted by local radio presenter and entertainer Kevin Johns.

The event not only gives youngsters a taste for the theatre but they also pick up skills from timing and team working to having the confidence to perform for strangers which will help in all kinds of future careers.

Cllr Jen Raynor, Swansea Council Cabinet member for Education, said: “I welcome this event as yet another example of how the arts are very much alive and well in Swansea schools.

“Not only do our schools and colleges nurture performing talent but also enable youngsters to benefit from the other career and life skills the arts can offer.

“I hope all the youngsters have a wonderful time and make their parents and schools proud. And I hope they will all be back to perform or see performances at the Grand in future too.”

David Lloyd-Jones Gower College Swansea Learning Area Manager – Creative Arts said: “Many of our future students gain their love of the arts and early skills while at school in Swansea. We have a wealth of talent in the city and teachers who help those skills develop.

“However even if they don’t choose a theatrical career, the arts can help children gain a wide range of skills and they have a really fun time too.

“Some of the children who take part and their families will have never been to the theatre and this is a wonderful way for them to experience what it offers and hopefully come back for more.”

A Grand theatre spokesperson added “Now in its sixth year, Primary Partners is an exemplar of what partnership working can achieve. Not only does it provide many local children with a unique opportunity to perform on a professional stage, it unlocks potential that might otherwise have remained hidden.”

Schools taking part include Waun Wen, Pontarddulais, Blaenymaes, Brynymor, Knelston, St. Illtyd’s, Parklands, Terrace Road, Sketty, Cwmrhydyceirw,  Pontarddulais, Sketty, Terrace Road, Tre Uchaf,  YGG Lon Las and YGG Gellionnen.

For more information head to http://www.swansea.gov.uk/PrimaryPartners2016