What it means to be together

More than 70 students donned pink ponchos for a special performative walk from Northumbria University to Live Theatre to celebrate the strategic partnership between the two organisations.

Together: A Performative Walk saw 72 Performing Arts students brave the October rain for a special journey through Newcastle, from the University’s city campus to Live Theatre on the Quayside. The event was organised by Dr Kate Craddock and combined aspects of physical theatre with moments of site responsive contemplation, challenging the audience to reflect on what it means to be ‘together’. Prior to the event, the participating students took part in a workshop with award-winning theatre company The Paper Birds to help develop material for the event.

Kate said: “The event really was a true celebration of the partnership between the two organisations, and provided the students with an excellent opportunity to develop new skills in working together as an ensemble and to challenge themselves as performers.

“We certainly surprised a number of people who were passing by, and managed to gather a number of audience members on our journey through the city. It was wonderful to see the students arrive at Live Theatre and fill the venue with such energy and excitement.” 

Steve Gilroy, Director of Performing Arts at Northumbria, said: “Thanks to those who braved the poor weather to enjoy the ‘Performative Walk’, from City Campus to Live Theatre on Quayside, performed by the entire new first year cohort within Performing Arts and students from our new MA Programme.

“It was a highly colourful and celebratory piece of work marking the University’s partnership with Live Theatre and serving as a fantastic induction to the University for our new students.”

The strategic partnership between Northumbria and Live Theatre was signed in 2012 and has gone from strength to strength.

Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business and Engagement) at Northumbria said: “One of my roles at the University is to seek out creative partnerships with fabulous organisations in the North East like Live Theatre.  This special event was one of the best examples of that.

“It’s a partnership that really brings out the best from our staff and students and what we saw on the night was a tremendous amount of energy.”

Lucy added: “The partnership with Live Theatre gives our students unique opportunities to get involved with creative practitioners, from writers to producers. It gives our students opportunities that they may not get if they had done a performing arts course at another institution.”

Live Theatre’s Literary Manager Gez Casey said: “The performative walk Together was an exuberantly innovative way to mark the partnership between Live Theatre and Northumbria University.

“Brightening up a drab October evening in Newcastle, and startling a few rush hour motorists on the way, the energy and enthusiasm of the participating students was both palpable and infectious. 

Northumbria and Live recently announced their first joint Writer in Residence. Paddy Campbell, Northumbria graduate and writer of Live Theatre successes Wet House and Day of the Flymo, will be the inaugural partnership Writer in Residence, until May 2016, developing new work and collaborating with students and staff at Northumbria University to enhance research and teaching.  Gez added: “May it also herald the many cultural journeys between the two institutions in the future.”

To find out more about studying Performing Arts at Northumbria University sign up for one of our Open Days on 24 October and 28 November for undergraduates and 11 November for Masters course. Go to: www.northumbria.ac.uk/openday to find out more.