Online workshops to throw the spotlight on race issues

Students from schools, mostly in north Norfolk and Great Yarmouth, will look at key figures in black history, discuss 'colour blindness', white privilege and how people identify themselves in a series of online workshops.

Tilda Fassih from Sheringham and Ashton Owen from Norwich will deliver the hour-long sessions, starting from February.

Tilda Fassih, left, is co-delivering the workshops and Katie Thompson, right, is the project co-ordinator. Picture: SLT (Image: Sheringham Little Theatre)

Miss Fassih, 21, said: “It’s the kind of workshop I wish I had had when I was at school, and will encourage young people to do more research into the issues.”

As part of the programme Mr Owen, 25, will perform a one-man show called Outskirts, which recounts real-life mixed race experiences, including hurtful words and animal noise chanting.

He said: “We hope the workshops will start students on a journey into British history they are not normally taught in schools, see them having new discussions and encourage them to embrace their true identities.”

Ashton Owen will also deliver the workshops on race, and perform his one-man show called Outskirts as part of the project. Picture: Supplied by SLT/Richard Batson (Image: Supplied by SLT/Richard Batson)

The workshops are part of Rewriting Rural Racism, an Arts Council-funded scheme led by young performers based at the theatre.

Part of the project will be to shoot a series of short films, which highlight the story of migration in the county stretching back to pre-historic times, Viking and Norman invasions, medieval Dutch 'Strangers' and wartime refugees.

Great Yarmouth’s Time and Tide Museum is supporting the films, and Thursford 23-year-old Daisy Winchester is also involved, carrying out research ahead of the filming.

Project co-ordinator Katie Thompson, 23, from Knapton, said: “Norfolk has mainly white schools, so we hope to spark discussion about issues that don’t happen naturally.”

A screenshot for a trial workshop, led by Tilda Fassih and Ashton Owen, over Zoom. (Image: Rewriting Rural Racism)

Little Theatre director Debbie Thompson said: “This has been really exciting and positive project during such a challenging time for theatre.

“The young people behind it had been amazingly motivated and creative, and showed a lot of flexibility in lockdown to achieve what they set out to do.”

She said she hoped the workshops would have a lasting impact for the theatre in terms of adding diversity to the venue's programming and the audiences it attracts.

Debbie Thompson, director of Sheringham Little Theatre. (Image: Richard Batson)

Any school or theatre venues interested in the workshops should email Debbie@sheringhamlittletheatre.com.