Speak Up; National Theatre

Speak Up was a national creative facilitation programme led by the National Theatre, empowering young people across England to shape and share work rooted in their own voices. As a Speak Up Artist Representative based in Leicester with Curve Theatre, I facilitated workshops, supported co-creation, and acted as a bridge between young people, schools and artists—helping ensure youth perspectives meaningfully shaped both process and performance.

Project: Speak Up

Project Type: Creative facilitation & youth voice programme

Role: Speak Up Artist Representative

Dates: January 2022 – July 2025

Base: Leicester, in partnership with Curve Theatre

Context & Contribution

Speak Up was an ambitious four-year national programme delivered across 56 schools, including secondary, Alternative Provision and SEND settings, in 11 areas of England. The programme invited young people to explore issues important to them through co-creating new artworks in collaboration with teachers and local artists.

Working as a Speak Up Artist Representative, I was based in Leicester through Curve Theatre. My role involved facilitating workshops, supporting creative development, and acting as an artistic liaison between young people, schools and the National Theatre. The work centred on amplifying youth voice and ensuring participant perspectives informed both process and outcomes.

Programme Reach

10,217 core participants over four years

460 teachers engaged

486 artists employed

Delivered across Doncaster, Greater Manchester, Leicester, North Devon, Outer East London &

South Essex, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Wakefield and Wolverhampton

Focus Areas

Youth voice and representation

Creative facilitation and co-creation

Socially engaged theatre-making

Collaboration between institutions, artists and education settings

Collaboration

Organisation: National Theatre

Programme: Speak Up

Delivery Partner (Leicester): Curve Theatre