“Performing on stage is a privilege. Your audience gives their time and money to come and watch you…”
It’s a phrase I’ve repeated to countless students over the years. But recently, I’ve started to wonder if that’s only half the truth. Last week in Singapore, I think I discovered the missing piece.
A Festival of Cultures and Creativity
Sarah and I had the privilege of working with 144 middle school students from across Asia; Singapore, Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Delhi, and Mumbai, alongside five other international artists. Over three days, dancers and physical theatre practitioners from America, India, Australia, and the UK collaborated to create a multicultural celebration of the arts. It wasn’t just a festival; it was proof of what happens when young people are given real opportunities to shine.
Why This Felt Different
Highly Sprung have been delivering workshops and performances internationally for over a decade, but this experience stood out. The students’ understanding of performance and artistry was far beyond their years. Their creativity soared as bodies lifted, glided, and shifted across the stage as they told their stories. And it wasn’t just my group; every ensemble was outstanding.
So, what was the magic ingredient? At first, I thought it was the students themselves. But then I looked around. We were in an 840-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound rigs, flying backdrops, and an orchestral pit. This wasn’t a city theatre, it was a school theatre with a level of investment that changes everything.
The Power of Real Investment
In the UK, we’ve become experts at making the impossible possible; artists and teachers delivering arts education on shoestring budgets. Our young people know “Poor Theatre” before they even study it. But last week reminded me: if we truly want to give children the best chances in life, we need to invest in them. Real funding creates real change.
Any investment in working with children and young people is repaid 10 times over with better behaviour, self-esteem, confidence, resilience and that’s not even taking into consideration the development of skills and talents that can so easily be transferred out of the arts sector and into employment.
When students see that adults and organisations believe in their potential, they rise to the occasion. In Singapore, they didn’t need us to tell them how big an opportunity it was to perform on such a stage, they could see it, feel it. And they paid that investment back tenfold with their commitment and creativity.
Bringing That Vision Home
Back in the UK, Sarah and I are asking: how can we give our young people the same opportunities? The Highly Sprung team, we’ll keep turning up for every child we work with, encouraging, coaxing and supporting those children and young people, but we can’t do it alone. We need your help.
Double Your Impact This Christmas
From 2nd to 9th December, Highly Sprung is part of the Big Give campaign. Every donation you make will be doubled, meaning you can double the difference you make in a young person’s life. One former student told us:
“It was because of people investing in people like me that I was able to follow my dreams, go to university, …and change my life.” – KB
You can help us, make that same difference for more young people. This Christmas, let’s build better futures together.