PERFORMING ARTS GROUP OPENS NEW CLASSES FOR TEENAGERS IN WILTSHIRE

RPA Rapport Community Interest Company (CIC) has launched new performing arts classes for teenagers in Swindon and North Wiltshire.

Rapport CIC is a not-for-profit sister company to Wanborough-based Revolution Performing Arts. Its mission is to explore all forms of performing arts, including drama, singing and dance as well as ‘behind the scenes’ arts such as design, tech and stage management.

Rapport’s artistic and outreach director Laura Barnes, said: “We are offering the opportunity for teenagers to take part in inclusive performing arts where they can sing, dance, act, perform or learn about backstage tech. We are not a performing arts ‘sausage factory’, we care about individual young people and their personal dreams, confidence and success.”

Aimed at children from 11 to 18-years-old, the sessions will focus on confidence, self-expression and celebrating each young person’s uniqueness and individuality. Rapport runs two weekly classes, with new classes recently launched in Malmesbury and Wroughton. The sessions in Swindon have also moved to a new venue:

• RPA Rapport Malmesbury: Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm (term-time only) at The Riverside Community Centre, Malmesbury SN16 9JS
• RPA Rapport South (Wroughton): Wednesday evenings 7:30pm to 9:00pm (term-time) at Wroughton Parish Church Hall, Priors Hill, Wroughton SN4 0RT
• RPA Rapport Central (Gorse Hill): Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm (term-time only). New venue: Gorse Hill Community Centre, Chapel Street, Swindon SN2 8DA (previously in the Pattern Church Swindon). 

“We like to empower our teens to help them through the years of secondary school and to have a safe space to attend every week and build friendships for life through a non-elitist, young person led performing arts class,” Laura added.

“Our sessions provide a mix of acting, dance, music, stage management and technical theatre with the young people leading in which areas they want to further explore.”

Children are invited to attend one free session to see whether they would like to continue. Sessions cost approximately £35.37 a month (term-time only). A subsidy is available for families on low income and child care vouchers are accepted for this setting.  Rapport also offers free places to young people affected by domestic abuse. Referral is directly through the website and is confidential.

Revolution Performing Arts was set up in 2007 by Fiona Da Silva-Adams as a drama group for toddlers and preschool children. Before long, exceptional demand led to its expansion to cover school-aged children. Rapport is run by fellow director Laura Barnes. 

To book a free taster session, or to find out more, visit: https://revolutionpa.co.uk/rpa-rapport-cic/ or call 01793 792983