A playground for youth theatre

I spent the day today in ReStoke's amazing ballroom, thinking about their new play and hanging out with the young people they're making it with.

For many of the years I ran Company Three, I dreamt of having a ballroom. Or any kind of space - somewhere that embodied and enabled the principles and practices that underscored so much of our co-creation work.

I imagined a space that was part rehearsal room, part studio, part adventure playground. That last bit is the most important - a space with loose parts and rough edges and infinite possibility. A space that encouraged risk-taking, agency and ownerships. Its layout, function and architecture shaped by the way young people played, made, danced, ate, destroyed, created, danced and napped in it.

It would have shelves of props and objects and things to play with. Pieces of set that could be moved around by young people to change the feel of the space. Lighting, sound, projection that could be operated by young people. Space for each of them to keep notes, ideas. Walls that could be painted and scribbled on. Hooks everywhere to hang things off. Cushions. Food. A really comfy sofa.

It would have been game-changing for us. A space owned by young people, not lent to them one night a week by adults. A space where they instantly felt they belonged, rather than one where you have to spend the first hour of every workshop making it yours again.

It's my biggest regret that I never made that space at C3. But I still think it's possible. It just needs real commitment from a company that cares that young people have a space in this world that isn't ruled by adults. Some money. And love.

If anyone wants to try to create it, I'd love to help you do it.