On Friday, 14th June 2024 twenty of our senior students took to the stage to perform their version of “Brainstorm”, a unique theatrical investigation into how the teenage brains works and why they're designed by evolution to be the way they are. It’s a performance that allows students to explore their emotions in an artistic way and encourages audience participation to create conversation and awareness.
Students were provided with the script, which acted as a blueprint, along with resources and exercises designed to help them create their own 'Brainstorm'. Supported by our Head of Drama, Katherine Mustafa, they then devised their own dialogue in order to express to the audience their personal thoughts and feelings about growing up and their relationships with adults. Students utilised Brechtian influences such as placards, multi-rolling and the technique of breaking the fourth wall to surprise the audience and get them thinking, and employed specific colour schemes with our new lighting rig to demonstrate the change between performer and audience dialogue. The cast also engaged with the audience by playing games such as 'Never Have I Ever’ and before the show guests were asked to write messages to their teenage self which were then read out by the cast, creating funny and touching moments. This naturally led to some laughter and tears and of course lots of hugs at the end!