• Established in 1998 to empower young people who have experienced homelessness and to respond to a growing stigma attached to homelessness.
• In 2004 alone Streets Alive worked with 350 homeless young people, out of which 71 attended our training courses.
• Promotes personal and professional development: Documented evidence of effectiveness includes testimonies from young people and individual assessments.
• Plays are devised and performed by the young people in the company each year and toured to over 30 venues.

Streets Alive Theatre Company was formed in 1998 through the work of Patrick Young who was at the time studying an MA in Theatre Development. Patrick worked with groups of young homeless people in four hostels using theatre, video, photography and music to facilitate a process of empowerment through engagement in creative expression. The first performance took place at The Clerkenwell Festival in July 1998 based on the experiences of the groups Patrick had been working with.

Streets Alive was originally an entirely volunteer-run project. Since April 2001 it has employed a small staff team while still having a sizeable volunteer element. It is registered as a charity (no.1082179).

Our Vision-

Streets Alive Theatre Company exists to empower young homeless people (16-25) and encourage them by using theatre and performing arts techniques to move forwards personally, socially and professionally. We give them the opportunity to voice their experiences in a creative way in front of school children, their peers and general audience members.

During the interactive part of the performance Streets Alive’s young performers engage directly with their peer group, inviting them to problem-solve and to suggest positive changes to the characters stories (forum theatre). This method of working creates opportunities for Streets Alive to inform and support young people who may be at risk of becoming homeless. Streets Alive’s strength is young people talking to other young people at risk; those who have been there, to those who might go there. This kind of peer education is what makes Streets Alive unique.

Programmes and Activities-

The year begins with the "Outreach Project" to 6 drop in centres and hostels. The Outreach worker teaches drama skills and provides a listening ear to the young peoples concerns for a period of 10 weeks. This happens twice a year and is the first point of contact the young people have with Streets Alive.

The next stage is a 10 week intensive drama workshop training programme called the "Contact Group," led by the Development Outreach Worker and includes basic skills, drama, voice, movement and writing, taught by professional artists and culminates in a performance/work in progress based on the young peoples experiences. This is now a Open College Network London Region accredited training course. In addition we run a two week training course in workshop leadership and a three week course in stage management all are OCN accredited.

After this the young people can go on to further education college we currently have partnerships with Morley college and Kensington and Chelsea College.

Those young people who wish to continue with Streets Alive, go on to work with the Artistic Director as part of the Main Company in the Summer Residency workshops and performances. These take place with five local youth groups in London and last a week each. Here the stories of Streets Alive young people are joined together with the local youth groups to create a piece of theatre involving both groups.

The next stage for the Main Company is the Autumn tour to schools and arts centres using forum theatre, a technique to get young people to problem solve and change the outcome of the play.

The company takes a holistic approach to assisting the young people by providing support/referrals when they are in crisis. We are keen to establish a through care system of support which will include mentors, access to training, employment and higher education.

We currently have strong links with sector agencies who we work in partnership with. Our most recent major production has been The Trilogy, produced in partnership with The Children's Society. The Trilogy consists of three performances looking at sexual exploitation of young women on streets. The final part, The Return, is touring until end of October 2005. The first part, Empty Houses toured in 2001 and the second part, DEEP in 2004. Another public success was the performance of "The Little Match Girl" a co-production with Oxford House and The World Famous in Bethnal Green in December 2002.Streets Alive is keen to do more site specific arts activities.