Projects

KIC operates two annual core programmes:

Adventures in Human Being and Physical Graffiti

Adventures in Human Being

Adventures in Human Being is an advanced physical theatre creative learning programme, led by an experienced team of volunteers and teenagers who are accomplished in KIC physical theatre disciplines. The goal is to make accomplished theatre with a diverse membership, leading up to an annual, dynamic, innovative ensemble production. This advanced all-ability core project is open to teenagers from 13 to 18 years.

Physical Graffiti

Physical Graffiti is an all-ability core project for beginners, serving as an introduction to KIC physical theatre disciplines in a relaxed, fun environment. Leading to advancement into the Adventures In Human Being project, this project is open to newcomers throughout the year, including recruits from autism spectrum disorder workshops and youths referred through Children and Adult Mental Health Services.

Outreach

KIC has long-term community outreach projects with hard-to-reach young people living in areas of social deprivation and disadvantage in terms of access to professional arts facilitation. KIC is resident in several local schools, both to prepare disabled students to join core projects, and to train others from mainstream schools as volunteers in core projects.

Community Partnerships include:

John Paul Youth Club, North Belfast
Frank Gillen Centre, Divis, West Belfast
Suicide Awareness and Support Group, West Belfast (read more about our partnership projects here: ARTiculate)
Upper Springfield Youth Team, West Belfast.

School Partnerships include:

Bloomfield Collegiate, East Belfast
Glenveagh Special School, South Belfast
Christian Brothers’ Secondary School, West Belfast

Professional Partnerships

KIC has long-term partnerships with Northern Ireland’s foremost professional theatre venue, The Lyric Theatre, and the only organisation in Northern Ireland supporting and advocating for disabled artists, The University of Atypical.

Lyric Theatre

KIC delivers an annual All Ability Physical Theatre Programme for the Lyric Theatre, culminating in performances at the theatre. The programme is open to teenagers of all abilities and includes recruitment workshops in local special needs schools, as well as volunteer recruitment and training in mainstream schools.

“The Creative Learning department at the Lyric Theatre is very proud to work in partnership with Kids in Control. Our association, since 2011, has been both rewarding and productive - we are delighted that so many young people have benefitted from the expertise of KIC facilitators. David Calvert is now a regular teacher on our flagship actor training programme, Drama Studio, and as Movement Director, a key member of the Creative Team on our hugely successful TIE project, Blackout. We very much look forward to continuing the relationship in the future.”

— Philip Crawford, Director of Creative Learning, Lyric Theatre, Belfast

University of Atypical

KIC submits work for the annual disability festival run by The University of Atypical. The Bounce! Festival showcases the best of adult professional arts practice by disabled artists in Northern Ireland and further afield. The KIC Blue Chevy Physical Theatre Ensemble, involving prominent local adult disabled performers, is a regular participant in the festival.

KIC is also involved in significant European partnerships initiated by The University of Atypical. An upcoming European adventure for KIC will include collaborations with projects for disabled artists in Finland, Norway, Belgium and Croatia.