Based in Newcastle, Open Clasp collaborates with working-class women and their communities to make authentic, award-winning theatre. The drama they produce sees women become co-creators on work which explores and documents issues that control and disempower working-class communities such as poverty, lack of land, opportunity, homes, heat, food, and rights.
In collaboration with grassroots workers, the company creates safe spaces through workshops, events and theatre for women and girls to discuss and debate the issues their communities are facing and what needs to change. The women worked with find a ‘voice’ – and as well as having a transformational impact on their own lives, this allows them to influence policy makers and educate service providers. The company’s work is regularly performed in theatres, prisons, schools, conferences, and community centres.
Working with Open Clasp has been life-changing and empowering and has given me a voice when mine has been taken. I now have hope for the future…
Co-Creator – Rattle Snake
With support from the Foundation, Open Clasp developed and piloted bespoke creative writing workshops for local women. This work builds on feedback from women in Newcastle who wanted to develop their skills and tell their stories. Many have expressed that they do not feel comfortable accessing mainstream workshops and therefore have not had the opportunity to further this ambition. For some women, this course will enable them to learn the basics and be a platform for them to go on and do more. For other women, the workshops might be about confidence building and shared experience within a supportive environment.
The workshops were all tailored to the needs of the women and focused on:
What it is to write – a monthly provocation topic, which the women can explore further outside of the sessions;
Team building and shared experience – exploring different narrative methods;
Building confidence and empowerment – sharing with the group/small audiences in a safe space and receiving feedback.
Following the pilot year, further support was awarded for Open Clasp to fully embed and expand the progamme for new and existing participants. Phase 2 will enable the women who are already engaged with the project to continue their creative writing development through regular workshops. External facilitators will also challenge the women to explore different areas of writing, enabling them to further their skills, passion and open potential pathways into writing. A new cohort will also begin creative writing sessions led by Artistic Director and Writer, Catrina McHugh. The longer term aim of this work is to develop and nurture new women writers as part of the theatre ecosystem.
