Don John Young Mothers

As a way of informing one of the company's shows - Don John - a team of Kneehigh artists, worked with a pre-identified group of ten teenage mothers and / or pregnant women at the Kneehigh Barns at Gorran Haven.

The idea for the project was to work with some specific elements that Kneehigh uses within it's theatre making. Starting with a series of taster sessions in dance, writing, singing and film making, the group gradually chose their own direction.  Facilitated by the Kneehigh team, the project culminated with a final ‘event'.

During this process, the Don John director/writer team (Emma Rice, Anna Maria Murphy)  conducted some informal research into the belief's, needs and desires of this unique group of 21st century young woman. The research was incorporated into the devising process for Don John.

During the seven-month project period, there were specific opportunities for the group to engage with both the acting company and the devising process for Don John; and witness the process as their experiences become part of the ‘tapestry' of a new piece of theatre.