Transforming Learning Through Physical Theatre
“I am overwhelmed with validity that their words and their voices have been given…it’s been pretty incredible.” Jasmine Gardosi, Birmingham poet laureate
“People need to feel that they’re in control of the subject matter that they are that they are experiencing, but also young people need to have opportunities to become the creatives and leaders of the future. So who’s going to give them their first steps if it’s not organisations like Highly Sprung?” Alison Vermee, Arts Council England
“It’s super important that young people are right at the centre of any work that we show as part of the creative learning projects. They are the future; they’re the ones that have the voice. We really want to amplify their voices, we want to platform them, we want to inspire them, as well and make sure that their ambitions are as big as our ambitions for them.” Lynsey Cullen, Warwick Arts Centre Learning and Participation
In 2024, Highly Sprung launched Anthology to transform how young people engage with poetry and literature. Our goal was to immerse learners in a creative process using our unique physical theatre approach, helping them deepen their understanding of GCSE English Literature and improve their educational outcomes.
The project aimed to support those facing barriers to engagement in arts and learning, (such as socio-economic deprivation or learning challenges) creating a safe and empowering space for them to thrive as co-creators of professional performance work.
We focused on the Worlds and Lives anthology—a new collection of poems from diverse global voices, now part of the GCSE curriculum. Central to the project was a collaboration with Birmingham’s Poet Laureate, Jasmine Gardosi, and Coventry’s Poet Laureate, John Bernard, who both played an integral role in inspiring the group and made poetry feel relevant and alive. Highly Sprung facilitated workshops to support these experiences, introducing physical theatre as a way of lifting words form the page and exploring the deeper meanings and contexts of the poems from the anthology.
Ensuring access was a priority within the project, this meant we were responsive to the individual needs of each participant and recognised what might be potential barriers to their engagement. Ways we did this included providing food, travel bursaries, and family engagement to ensure every participant could fully commit and get the most out of the project.
The Journey
We began with a full-day introduction, where the young participants explored three chosen poems from the Worlds and Lives Anthology: England in 1814 by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Portable Paradise by Roger Robinson, and Homing by Liz Berry. Using physical theatre, we analysed the poems’ themes through image making and response to specific words, experimented with movement-based interpretations, and started to look at where the poems made connections with the lives of the young people.
Working with Jasmine and John during this stage was a pivotal part of the process. They performed original works, led writing sessions, and encouraged the young people to produce their own anthology of poetry. Seeing the participants’ creative confidence develop as they put pen to paper was a highlight for all of us.
During the rehearsal phase, the group of young people stepped into the roles of directors and choreographers. They worked alongside professional performers to transform their poetry into physical theatre, recording audio versions of their work to support the development of the performance. Their dedication and vision truly came to life in the rehearsal room.
Our journey culminated in two performances at Warwick Arts Centre on May 2, 2024. The first was attended by local school groups, while the second was a celebratory evening show for friends, family, and the public. Seeing over 150 people connect with the young people’s work was incredibly moving. Audience members shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 97% recommending the show to others.
Lasting Impact
The impact on the participants was profound. Many began the project with little enthusiasm for poetry, yet they emerged with a newfound interest in the art form. “Poetry is an excellent way to get your feelings out,” one participant said, while another shared, “The project has fully changed how I think about poetry, instead of seeing it as writing torturous essays in English.”
Several participants reported improved confidence in their analytical skills, saying how much easier it was to understand poetry terminology and themes.
One of the young people proudly told us, “This project helped me get 100% on a test. I showed my English teacher, and she nearly cried she was that proud.”
A Future of Possibilities
Anthology demonstrated how creative interventions can change lives. By placing young people at the centre of the creative process and providing the right support, we helped open up new possibilities for self-expression and academic success.
To learn more about our journey, watch our project documentary: